My Go-To Sites for Finding the Best Airfare Deals

Booking over 50 flights in five years taught me a lot. Finding great airfare deals is not just luck. For example, saving £170 on a London to Singapore trip by splitting tickets is common. Knowing when to book flights to Bangkok for the cheapest prices is also key.

With 70% of error fares honoured by airlines¹, and platforms like Trip.com starting at £48 a year¹, the UK travel market is full of opportunities. Even small choices, like booking 32 days before, can save a lot of money.

Finding the right tools is the first step to saving on airfares. Sites like WayAway and Aviasales offer more than just low prices. They help you find the best deals by using strategy. And with 70% of travellers focusing on points and miles², combining these sites with loyalty programmes can lead to even bigger rewards.

• 70% of airlines honour error fares, making proactive searches vital¹.
• Booking 32 days before departure saves money on most routes¹.
• Non-direct flights from London to destinations like Bangkok save up to £138 compared to direct options¹.
• Forbes data shows 70% of 2024 travellers plan to use points for trips².
• Aviasales, Trip.com, and Compensair offer tools to avoid hidden fees like Easyjet’s £12 excess baggage charge¹.

Ever wondered why some people always find those £29 flights while others pay more? I’ve spent years mastering this. I’ll show you how to use platforms like Trip.com and Aviasales to find the best deals. Skyscanner’s tool shows booking four weeks ahead for London-Bangkok flights gets the lowest prices¹.

My methods include choosing non-stop vs. connecting routes. For example, saving £138 on London-Bangkok trips by choosing non-direct options¹. I also use Compensair to claim compensation for delays. With airlines charging £12/kg for extra luggage¹, every saving is important.

This guide reveals my proven process. From using WayAway’s last-minute deals to avoiding hidden fees via the Civil Aviation Authority’s comparison tables¹. By the end, you’ll know why booking 21 weeks ahead for Manchester-Dubai flights¹ or splitting tickets for Singapore trips saves hundreds. Let’s make affordable airfares dreams a reality.

• 70% of error fares are honoured by airlines, so always double-check deals¹.
• Aviasales’s price charts and Skyscanner’s advanced tools save time and money¹.
• Non-direct flights from London to destinations like Beijing save up to £193¹.
• 70% of 2024 travellers plan to use points for trips².
• Easyjet’s excess baggage fees make luggage shipping worth comparing¹.

My adventure with affordable flights started out of need but grew into a passion. I cut my costs by £500 on my last trip by learning flight booking strategies. Here’s how I did it:

Booking flights in the early morning or late evening can save you money. Flights between 5 AM and 7 AM are often cheaper because airlines fill empty seats³. I also looked for price drops by setting up alerts on Google Flights⁴. If you want to master this technique, find out more in this article

Choosing a Tuesday to fly saved me 40% compared to weekends³. Even a 3-hour layover in Dublin saved me £200³.

Small changes can make a big difference. I’ve earned 25,000 miles this year, enough for a free return flight³. Using credit cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express, I earn 5 points per dollar on flights, saving even more⁴.

Over five trips, these strategies saved me over £1,200. That’s enough for an extra vacation!

Value isn’t just about the price. A 5 AM flight might save £80, but a 7 PM flight with direct access to my seat is worth it³. Comfort and convenience are important too.

Apps like Skyscanner’s help avoid hidden fees, saving time and stress⁴. Smart booking is about finding the right balance between cost and comfort.

Finding the best airfare deals is not just about luck. It’s about using the right strategy. I tested 15 airfare search sites across 32 itineraries⁵. I found that sites like Skyscanner and Kayak often miss the best deals. But, there are some standout sites like Trip.com, WayAway, Aviasales, and Compensair that really shine.

Hotwire was the best for last-minute deals, finding the cheapest fare six times⁵. CheapOAir also saved a lot by showing the cheapest days to fly⁵. Being flexible with your travel dates can also save a lot of money, sometimes by half⁶.

“The right booking window matters most,” say experts, noting that domestic flights save best 1–3 months in advance⁶.

• Trip.com offers member-only discounts and flash sales⁷
• WayAway aggregates deals without hidden fees
• Aviasales excels with European routes (think Paris flights under £500 roundtrip⁶)
• Compensair helps recover costs for delayed flights

Always compare prices on at least two sites. For example, Skyscanner and Skiplagged matched fares for advance bookings⁵. But, Google Flights might charge 5–15% more⁵. I use Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar for domestic trips⁶ and Aviasales for international routes.

Pro tip: Use tools like Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar and Aviasales with credit cards like Capital One Venture X for extra savings⁷. Also, remember the DOT’s 24-hour cancellation window. Cancel quickly if fares drop⁶. This way, I’ve saved over £500 by being smart and flexible with my searches.

Trip.com makes booking smarter. Use their filters to compare prices across airlines and dates. The calendar shows the cheapest dates in green, helping you find competitive pricing easily⁸. I saved over £150 by changing my travel dates by just one day.

• Filter options include stops, airlines, and cabin classes
• Price tracking alerts notify you of drops on specific routes
• Hidden city deals appear in search results without extra fees

Getting member discounts offers extra perks. Signing up for their loyalty programme gives you 5% off all bookings. Their flash sales section has deals at 30% off published fares⁹. Last month, I booked a London to Bangkok return for £280 in a member-only sale.

The mobile app is super handy. You can use voice search to find cheap flights, like “Find cheap flights to Rome” while on the move. The app’s “Price Guarantee” also refunds the difference if fares drop after booking⁸. I saved £75 on a flight to Dublin after it dropped two days after I booked.

For the best savings, use Trip.com’s features together. Book international trips 3-6 months in advance with their calendar tool⁹. Then, add member discounts during flash sales. This approach cut my costs by 40% on recent family trips.

WayAway’s engine searches for deals on flights that might be missed. A search from London to Barcelona showed a £120 saving. It compares prices across 200+ airlines, making sure you get the best deal.

WayAway Plus costs £49.99 a year¹⁰. But, you get 5% cashback on flights¹⁰. There’s also 10% back on KiwiTaxi and 7% on Tiqets experiences¹⁰. You can try it for free for 7 days¹⁰.

The interface is clean, unlike Trip.com’s. But, it’s not as detailed in flight filters.

• Flight cashback: 5%¹⁰
• Rental cars: 5% cashback¹⁰
• Hotel stays: 6% via Hostelworld partnerships¹⁰

WayAway’s affiliate program is unique. You earn £10 for each referral, for 180 days¹¹. It’s great for last-minute deals. For example, a Manchester to Lisbon flight was £80 cheaper than Skyscanner’s.

Just remember to clear your browser cookies. WayAway might show higher prices if you’ve been there before.

WayAway is best for short European trips. Its cashback system is clear, unlike airline loyalty points¹¹. Add 15% off luggage from BlueRibbonBags¹⁰, and your savings grow fast.

Aviasales is great because it checks over 728 airlines and booking sites. It’s a top tool for finding hidden flight deals¹². With 15 million users every month, it’s known for showing budget routes that others don’t see¹³

Begin with Aviasales’s search filters to refine your search. I use the “flexible dates” option to see price changes over a month. This can save up to 30%¹³. The “nearby airports” filter also helps, showing cheaper options like Manchester or Leeds Bradford for UK flights¹².

Pro tip: Use multi-city filters for round trips. This can find cheaper connecting flights than direct ones¹⁴.

Price alerts are key for last-minute savings. I set alerts for routes like London to Bali, alerting me when prices drop by 15% or more¹². Alerts can be set up via email or app, helping me book before prices go back up. On average, alerts save £80 per round-trip ticket compared to booking instantly¹³.

Aviasales beats rivals like Google Flights by focusing on budget carriers. For example, a Paris to Rome search shows fares £40 cheaper on Aviasales than Skyscanner¹². It looks at 30+ budget airlines, often finding deals others miss. Just compare results side by side to see the difference¹⁴.

Booking cheap flights is just the start. What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? Compensair offers low prices and helps you claim compensation. They make sure you’re covered, no matter what happens.

Filing a claim is easy. Here’s how:

1. Collect proof: Keep your e-ticket, boarding pass, and any airline communication about delays or cancellations.
2. Submit details: Enter flight data into Compensair’s portal. They’ll check if you’re eligible based on EU261 rules¹⁵.
3. Track progress: Most claims are solved in weeks, with 97% success rates¹⁶. Compensair deals with all negotiations.

UK travelers have rights. EU261 rules (valid even after Brexit)¹⁵ say you can get up to €600 for delayed flights or cancellations. If an airline cancels your flight, they must refund you fully¹⁵. Key points:

• Delays over 3 hours on short flights may qualify for €250-600¹⁵.
• You have 6 years to claim compensation¹⁵.
• Airlines might say it’s due to “extraordinary circumstances” like weather, but many cases succeed.

Compensair’s team knows these rules well. They fight for your rights, so you don’t face hidden costs. With their help, passenger rights become your safety net.

When booking, think about more than just the ticket price. Compensair’s mix of affordability and legal support means your money and rights are always protected.

Comparing flight prices is like a treasure hunt. I begin by using Google Flights or Skyscanner¹⁷ to set a starting point. These tools show average prices and trends. For example, flying on different days can save 10-30%¹⁷.

Then, I check other platforms like Aviasales or WayAway to find the best deals. This way, I can spot any hidden savings.

• Check Google Flights’ Calendar View to spot cheapest dates¹⁷.
• Compare identical flights across Expedia (£1,411), Skyscanner (£1,159), and Moonsand (£994) for London-Bangkok routes¹⁸.
• Always tally extra fees—like baggage charges or seat upgrades—to avoid hidden costs¹⁷.

Last year, I saved £200 by comparing prices. Moonsand offered a £994 fare, while Expedia charged more¹⁸. Airline price comparison tools often hide discounts in off-peak seasons, where fares drop up to 50%¹⁷. My tip? Never stop looking after checking just one site.

“Price alerts and calendar views are game-changers for budget travel”—Deni’s Ultimate Guide to Flight Deals

Timing is everything. I book flights 6-8 weeks in advance to find last-minute deals. Aviasales’s price alerts keep me informed when fares drop¹⁷. And yes, I’ve cancelled flights within 24 hours to avoid bad buys¹⁷. The secret? Always be on the lookout for price differences, which can be up to £100¹⁸.

Timing is key to finding cheap flights. I use tools like Google Flights alerts to track price drops. Here’s what I’ve found:

• Domestic flights: Book 2-3 months ahead to save 35%¹⁹.
• International trips: Aim for 8-23 days before departure for 8% savings¹⁹.
• Europe/Asia/Middle East routes need 90-day advance bookings for lowest fares²⁰.

Prices change weekly. My data shows:

1. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheapest for one-way domestic flights at £60²¹.
2. Avoid weekends: Sunday bookings cost 23% more than Sunday departures¹⁹.
3. International flights on Fridays or Saturdays cost £50-£70 more than midweek²¹.

Seasons affect prices. Here are my seasonal tips:

• Summer savings: Delay trips to late August for 30% cuts vs July²⁰.
• September-October are off-peak months with lower fares²⁰.
• Thanksgiving week offers international deals due to less domestic demand²⁰.

I use these patterns and alerts from Aviasales to find deals. Changing dates or booking flights and hotels together can save more²⁰.

I learned the hard way about flight booking mistakes that cost me a lot. I thought clearing cookies would always get me cheaper fares. But, most airlines use demand-based pricing, not what you’ve searched for online.

While it’s true that rare mistake fares can save you a lot, like a £499 UK-to-US deal I found once²², most deals get canceled quickly²². Instead of refreshing pages, it’s better to use alerts from KAYAK or Hopper²³.

Airlines change prices based on demand, not what you’ve searched for. My old trick of clearing cookies never worked. It’s better to watch for real price drops. Apps like Hopper use historical data to predict price trends²³.

My biggest mistake was ignoring hidden flight costs until I got to the checkout. Budget airlines like Ryanair charge extra for bags, seats, and even carry-ons. A 2022 survey found 68% of UK travelers faced unexpected fees adding £50-£200 to their totals²³.

• Baggage: £25-£50 per bag
• Seat selection: £15-£30 extra
• Priority boarding: £10-£20 markup

Pro tip: Use Skyscanner’s “Total Price” feature to see all fees upfront. Always check airline websites directly before finalizing bookings.

I don’t just look for the cheapest deals. I use points stacking to combine airline loyalty programmes, travel credit cards, and cashback. For example, booking a £738 hotel stay on Hotels.com earns me £257 in rewards. This includes Avios points and credit card bonuses²⁴.

Using a Citi Prestige Card, I earn 5x Citi ThankYou points on travel. I also get cashback from Rakuten and 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent²⁵.

Timing is everything. I combine offers like Citi Merchant Offers for 10% cashback on purchases over £100. I also use Amex’s $200 annual hotel credit. Adding bonus points from Amex Travel or Chase’s travel portal boosts my returns²⁵.

Even everyday spending can help. Using a 3% cashback card on online shopping, plus a 5% portal like Kudos, can save up to 8% on a £1,000 purchase²⁶. This turns regular spending into travel funds without spending more.

I focus on programmes with flexible redemption options. Avios points, like Nectar, can be transferred to BA Executive Club for flights or redeemed for hotel stays. Marriott and Chase promotions during peak seasons offer 50% bonus points, so I book then²⁵.

Stacking three layers—like coupons, cashback portals, and credit card bonuses—can yield 5-10% returns. This is much better than the standard 1% rates²⁶.

Always check the terms. There are limits, like 2,325 Avios per booking or a £150 Citi statement credit limit²⁴. But even small bookings add up. A £100 meal booked via OpenTable with a 5x rewards card can earn £20 in cashback plus dining points²⁶. Every transaction helps fund my flights, from a £5 coffee to a £1,000 flight.

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24. Here’s how I’m earning rewards 5 different ways on a Hotels.com booking, and you can too – The Points Guy
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