Cheap Flights Made Easy: Set Alerts & Stay Flexible

Traveling for less starts with one crucial skill: being flexible. While booking flights can often feel overwhelming, learning how to find the best deals and set flight alerts can help you score the best fares for your next family adventure. In this post, I’m going to show you how to use smart tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and ITA Matrix, and teach you the art of being flexible to find cheaper options.

Let’s dive in!

1. Why Flexibility is Key When Booking Flights

When it comes to booking flights, flexibility is your secret weapon. Most people think they can only travel on a specific date, but by adjusting your travel dates or even destination by just a few days, you can unlock some major savings.

Being flexible doesn’t mean throwing all your plans out the window. Small changes—like shifting your departure by one to two days or using different airports nearby—can lead to dramatic savings. Plus, exploring different destinations using tools like Google Flights' “Anywhere” search feature can open up options you may never have considered.

The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to catch a deal. Let’s talk about how you can make this flexibility work to your advantage.

2. How to Find the Cheapest Flights Using Google Flights or Skyscanner

Google Flights is one of the best tools you can use to find cheap flights and stay on top of price fluctuations. Here’s how you can leverage them for the best deals:

Google Flights

Google Flights is my personal favorite because it’s easy to use and has a ton of helpful features. Here’s how to find the cheapest flights:

• Use the "Anywhere" Search Feature:If you’re flexible with your destination, this feature lets you search for flights to any destination and sort by the lowest price. You can input your departure airport, then use the "Explore" map to see the cheapest flights to different destinations. This is a game-changer for discovering new places while keeping your budget in check.

• Flexibility on Dates:One of the most valuable features of Google Flights is the ability to adjust your travel dates. If you click on the calendar view, you’ll see a color-coded calendar showing which dates are the cheapest to fly. Even a shift of +/- 1-2 days can make a big difference in your fare.

• Price History:Google Flights also provides you with price history data, showing if prices for your route are higher or lower than usual. It can help you gauge whether to book now or wait a little longer for a better deal.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is another tool for finding cheap flights. It pulls information from a variety of airlines and booking websites, making it easy to compare prices. Here’s how to use it effectively:

• Flexible Dates:Like Google Flights, Skyscanner allows you to select flexible dates. You can view prices for the entire month or even a whole year, which can help you identify the cheapest travel periods.

• Explore Destinations:If you don’t have a set destination, Skyscanner’s “Explore Everywhere” option lets you input your departure city and then shows you the cheapest destinations for those dates.

• Multi-City and Stopover Searches:Skyscanner makes it simple to search for multi-city flights, allowing you to mix and match destinations for even more savings. You can also search for stopovers, which often lead to cheaper flights and added adventure.

3. Setting Up Flight Alerts: Don’t Miss a Deal

Once you’ve used these tools to identify potential flights, the next step is to set up alerts so you never miss a deal. Here’s how to stay on top of changing prices:

Google Flights Alerts

Setting up Google Flights alerts is incredibly simple:

1. Search for a flight to your preferred destination.

2. After you see the results, click the “Track Prices” button. This will automatically notify you if prices for that flight drop or rise.

3. Stay Flexible: If your dates are flexible, you can set up multiple alerts for different time frames.

These alerts will send you an email whenever prices change, so you can make your move when the price is right!

Sign Up for Deal Alerts

Another way to stay in the loop is to follow deal alert accounts or Instagram accounts that focus on low-cost fares. Many travel bloggers, websites, and Instagram accounts share the latest flight deals as soon as they go live, often with codes or tips for additional savings.

Some great options include:

• @FlyFromAnywhere (these are specific to flying from Eugene - flyfromanywhere.eugene, Sacramento - flyfromanywhere.sacramento, or Spokane - flyfromanywhere.spokane

• @going

• flightsfromhome (this account is for Utah based)

• on IG search for your home airport or nearby airports along with "flight deals" and see if you can find any accounts focused on deals in your area

  
  

Sign up for their alerts or follow them on social media to get notified of deals right away.

4. Understanding Layover Times and How to Spot Reasonable Connections

One of the best ways to save money is by being open to longer layovers. Here’s why:

• Longer Layovers = Cheaper Fares: Often, flights with longer layovers are less expensive than direct flights or those with short layovers. Even a 1-2 hour layover can save you hundreds of dollars.

• More Time, Less Stress:A longer layover can give you the opportunity to stretch your legs, grab a meal, and not stress about missing your next flight. In fact, I prefer layovers of 2-3 hours, especially when traveling with my kids, as it gives us enough time to move through the airport without feeling rushed.

5. Multi-City Flights, Stopovers, and Creative Booking Hacks

If you’re open to exploring different cities or countries, consider these creative flight booking strategies:

• Multi-City Flights: These flights let you fly into one city and out of another. For example, you can fly into Rome and out of Paris, making it easier to explore both cities without backtracking.

• Stopover Programs:Some airlines offer free stopovers in their hub cities. For example, you might find a flight from the U.S. to Europe with a stopover in Iceland on IcelandAir, allowing you to explore two destinations for the price of one!

  
  
  
  

Conclusion: Flexibility is the Key to Scoring the Best Flights

By embracing flexibility and using the right tools, you’ll find that booking flights doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, the more open you are to adjusting your travel dates, layovers, and destinations, the more likely you are to land incredible deals.

Action Step:Set up flight alerts for your next trip and experiment with the “anywhere” search on Google Flights. Even shifting your dates by just a couple of days could unlock some serious savings.

Remember: Flexibility is your secret weapon, and with the right tools, you can find flights that’ll help you make memories without breaking the bank.