Flight discounts: how to find the best fares

When to book to pay less

The "six-to-eight weeks" rule that circulated a few years ago has narrowed: recent analyses of European low-cost routes show that prices drop to around two-to-four weeks from departure, then stabilize or rise in the final ten days. Rather than memorizing a fixed number, it makes sense to set a price alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner for the route you're interested in: the algorithm automatically notifies you when the fare drops below the historical average, without needing to check every day.

Incognito and cookies: what really works and what doesn't

The belief that a website raises prices on a second visit to punish those who already searched for that flight has been debunked by multiple independent checks: prices change based on seat availability and aggregate demand for that fare, not due to a single IP address or browser history. Using incognito mode only prevents you from seeing targeted ads based on your searches; if you really want to save, focus on price alerts and date flexibility rather than this ritual.

Secondary airports and miles: savings that accumulate over time

A smaller hub 60-90 km from your final destination is often served by a different airline with significantly lower fares than the main hub: it's worth checking the cost of a shuttle or train transfer before dismissing the option. Similarly, joining the loyalty program of the airline you use most frequently, even just for short flights, allows you to accumulate miles that within a few years translate into a free ticket or a cabin upgrade. Before confirming any purchase, verify the final price including baggage and fees: a lower base fare doesn't always win out overall, as explained in which costs to check before purchasing.

Set up a price alert today on the two or three routes you truly care about: in practice it saves more than any isolated trick.