How to Find Cheap Flights with No Flexible Dates

Introduction

You want a vacation. Nevertheless, your boss has set you specific dates. Or, you must attend a wedding. Thus, you are not able to modify your traveling days. It is believed that one needs to spend a lot of money. But, this is not true. The lowest price flight could still be found, especially when you understand How to Find Cheap Flights Without Flexible Dates.

You need the right plan. First, you must stop worrying. Then you will get to know certain tricks. These are tricks that make you save money. Airlines want your cash. Nevertheless, you can outwit them. To be flexible in dates is unnecessary. You only need smart tools. Also, you need patience. This guide shows you the way. Follow these steps. Then you will have a low-cost trip.

Start Your Search Very Early

Time is your best friend. Therefore, start looking now. Airlines issue tickets in advance. in most cases, it is one year ahead. First, the prices start high. Then, they might drop. However, they go up again fast. You must catch the sweet spot. To take massive journeys, reserve months in advance. Book weeks in advance when travelling on small journeys.

Do not put it at the last moment. Tickets, which are bought at the last moment, are the most expensive. So, make a plan. Look at the calendar today. Mark your trip days. Then, begin your search. This gives you power. You see the price changes. Lastly, you choose the most suitable time. In this manner you save the greatest amount of money.

Make the Use of the Best Comparison Sites

You need good tools. This is why you should not visit only one airline. Instead use a comparison site. These sites are robots. They turn the world inside out after you. First, try Google Flights. It is very fast. Also, try Skyscanner. It finds many options.

Momondo is good too. It audits minor travel agents. All the prices are displayed on these sites. You see them side by side. Next, you compare the costs. You see the cheapest flight at first sight. This saves you much time. Also, it saves you cash. The sites do the hard work. You just click the button. Then, you book the deal. Always start here.

Also Read: Cheapest Months to Travel to Japan for Big Savings

Separate the Check Budget Airlines

Some airlines are shy. They are not found on large web sites. These are budget airlines. One of them is Southwest Airlines. Also, Ryanair is another. They could be overlooked by big search sites. Thus you have to check them by yourself. Using their respective websites.

Type in your fixed dates. Often, they have lower prices. They cut costs to save money. You might get less legroom. However, you keep more cash. This is a great trade. And then create a list of low-cost airlines. Check each one. Compete their price with the large sites. The disparity is enormous at times. You will feel very happy.

Establish Price Notices at Once

You cannot sit in front of a screen all day. You have a job. Also, you have a life. Thus, leave the computer to keep watch over you. This is a price alert. The first step is to visit Google Flights or Skyscanner. Next, put in your fixed dates. Then, click at the track prices button.

Now, you can relax. The site watches the flight. In case of reduction in price, they send you an email. And when the price is increased, they notify you. You get the news fast. Then, you can act. You purchase the ticket at a low price. This is a passive search technique. It works very well. You do not miss a deal.

Look at Nearby Airports

You live near a big airport. There is however a smaller airport nearby. Or, a bigger hub is an hour away. Check flights from there too. In some cases, the cost is significantly low. Airports charge fees to airlines. Some airports charge less. Consequently, the ticket is cheaper.

First of all, verify the major airport. Then, check the others. Add the cost of a bus or train. Does the total price stay low? If yes, take the other airport. You might drive a little more. However, you save hundreds of dollars. This is a smart move. It requires a little effort. Nevertheless, the end justifies the savings.

Breake Breaking up Your Trip

Direct flights are nice. They are fast. However, they cost the most. You pay for convenience. So, try a flight with stops. These are layovers. A stop can often make it a low cost flight. But, you can go further. Buy two separate tickets. Fly to a big hub first. Then, fly to your final stop.

This is a “hacker fare.” You are a kind of travel agent of your own. To begin with, book a flight to an intermediate city. Next, find a flight to the end. Add the prices. Is it lower priced than a direct flight? Often, the answer is yes. You save money. Simply have time between flights.

Also Read: Best Affordable Family Travel Packages to Europe

Clear Your Browser Cookies

You search for a flight. You see a price. You come back later. The price is higher. Why? The airline knows you want it. They adopt cookies in your browser. They see your interest. As such, they increase the price. They want to scare you. They want you to buy now. You can stop this.

Clear your browser history. Delete your cookies. Or, use “Incognito Mode.” This makes you invisible. The airline believes that you are a new man. They present to you the initial price. This is a simple trick. It takes one second. But, it prevents their deceiving you. Always search in secret.

Book One Ticket at a Time

You travel with a group. Maybe you travel with family. Do not reserve a lot of tickets at a time. Airlines have price buckets. Maybe one seat is cheap. The next seat is expensive. In case you book two you pay high price of both. This is automatically done by the system.

Thus, seek one man, and then another. See the lowest price. Then, search for the group. Is the price higher? In case yes, purchase the cheap seat first. Then, buy the others. On that one seat you save money. Every little bit helps. You can pick seats later. You can still sit together. Just buy them separately.

Use a VPN to Change Location

The prices vary depending on location. In New York, a ticket is more expensive. It costs less in India. This is currency arbitrage. You can fake your location. Use a VPN. This is a tool that conceals your computer. It tells that you are a foreign country. First, turn on the VPN.

Set it to a poorer country. Or, place it in home country of the airline. Then, search for the flight. You might see a lower number. This happens often. It is perfectly legal. You just use technology. You pay the local price. You avoid the tourist price. It is quite an effective secret.

Prices of Checks in Foreign Currencies

This is like the VPN trick. But, you do not need a VPN. Go to the airline website. Look for the language button. Change the country. Or, change the currency. Switch from Dollars to Euros. Or switch to Yen. Occasionally, there is a math difference. There is fluctuation of exchange rate.

You may use the next money and pay less. Use a calculator. Check the real cost. Does your credit card impose fees? Check that too. If the savings are big, do it. Book in the foreign currency. Your bank does the swap. You keep the extra cash. It is a smart math trick.

Also Read: Top Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations in Asia 2025

AvoidExt ra Baggage Fees

The ticket price is one thing. The final cost is another. Budget airlines love fees. They charge for bags. They charge for seats. Therefore, read the rules. Can you travel light? Take only a carry-on bag. This saves much money. Other airlines perform bag charges of $50.

That is $100 for a round trip. Keep that money. Pack smart. Wear your heavy clothes. Put things in your pockets. No seat selection fee to pay. Let them pick for you. You just want to get there. You do not need luxury. You need a cheap flight. Cut all the extras.

Airline Newsletter Sign-Up

This sounds boring. However, it works. Airlines have sales. They tell their fans first. Go to their websites. Type in your email. Join the club. It is free. Then, wait. You will get emails. They announce “flash sales.” They offer discount codes. You have the deal above the rest.

Your dates are predetermined hence seek it. Perhaps the purchase takes care of your dates. Then, you strike fast. You buy the ticket. Other people miss out. You get the reward. You can unsubscribe later. But wait now, and have the deals at your elbow. It is a smart tool.

Redeeming using Credit Card Points or Miles

You spend money every day. You buy food. You buy gas. Use a travel credit card. You earn points. These points are like money. You can use them for flights. Check your balance. Do you have miles? Use them now. Even a few points help. Cash and points are accepted by some airlines.

This lowers the price. It is a discount. And then you ought to get one, without a card. Get one with a big bonus. Use the bonus for your trip. It is the most cost-effective means of flying. Sometimes, you fly for free.

Find Student or Age Discounts

Are you a student? Are you under 26? Are you a senior? Airlines like you. They offer special rates. They have student portals. They have senior discounts. You must look for them. They are not on the main page. Search for “student flights.” Go to websites such as StudentUniverse.

Verify your age. Verify your school. Then, see the prices. They are often much lower. This is a great benefit. Do not ignore it. Use your status. Save your money. Even big airlines do this. You just have to ask. Or you have to search deep.

Check Package Deals

In some cases, a package is more affordable. You need a hotel too. You need a car maybe. Book them together. Expedia and others do this. They bundle the hotel and the flight. The total price drops. The fare is reduced in the bundle by the airline.

They conceal the actual price of tickets. You get a bargain. Look at the individual prices to start with. Then, check the package price. Compare the two numbers. Often, the package wins. You have an entire vacation at a lower price. It is very easy. You book everything at once. You solve two problems. You save money on both.

Call the Airline Directly

This is old school. But, it can work. There are numerous prices exhibited by the internet. However, agents have power. Find the flight you want. Write down the number. Then, call the airline. Talk to a human. Ask them nicely. “Is this the best price?” Sometimes, they have waivers.

They are also unlisted at times. They might match a price. It costs nothing to ask. Be polite. Be friendly. They might help you. If not, you lost nothing. If yes, you won big. There are things that humans are capable of doing that computers cannot. Give it a try.

Conclusion

Locating a low fare flight is a game. Your dates are fixed. This makes it harder. But, you can win. You have the tools now. You know the secrets. Start early. Use comparison sites. Check the budget airlines. Set your alerts. Use a VPN. Clear your cookies. Pack light. Use your points.

Do not accept the first price. Hunt for the deal. It takes some work. However, the savings are real. You will also be saving money on the flight. You will spend more on fun. That is the goal. Now, go book your trip.

Best Time to Book (General Guide)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are cookies causing flights to be more expensive?

Many people believe this. The evidence is mixed. However, it seems true. You search for a flight. You return later. The price goes up. The airline sees you want it.

They try to make you buy. This is a dynamic price. Therefore, you should be safe. Clear your cookies. Or use Incognito mode. It takes very little time. It guarantees you the fair price. You hide your data. This is a smart habit. It protects your wallet.

2. Is it less expensive to make a reservation at the airport?

Usually, the answer is no. In the past, this worked. You could get a standby seat. Now, it is different. Airport prices are high. They know you are desperate.

You have no other choice. As such, they set high prices. Also, you pay extra fees. You pay a “booking fee.” Internet is nearly inexpensive. The computer has the deals. The costly seats are located at the airport desk. Do not risk it. Book online before you go.

3. Which day of the week is the most appropriate to purchase tickets?

People used to say Tuesday. On Tuesday at midnight they said. This is an old myth. Everything is now operated by computers. Prices change every minute.

They change based on demand. Thus, it has no magic day. However, mid-week is good. Tuesday and Wednesday are also inexpensive. Fewer people book then. Weekends are expensive. Everyone looks on Sunday. So, search on a weekday. But do not expect a miracle. Any day that you have a deal is the best.

4. Will I be able to save money with an affiliation?

Yes, you certainly can. Direct flights are popular. Everybody desires to be there in a hurry. As such, airlines are pricier. Flight connections are time consuming.

They are less convenient. So, airlines charge less. They want to fill the plane. If you have time, take the stop. You sit in an airport. You wait a few hours. But, you save money. It is a trade-off. You trade time for cash. This is the most preferable option to numerous travelers.

5. Are there any concealed expenses in low cost airlines?

Yes, they have many fees. The ticket price looks low. It looks amazing. But, wait. You must pay for a bag. You pay to pick a seat. You pay for water.

You pay to print a pass. These are hidden costs. So, you will have to sum up. Calculate the total price. Compare it to a big airline. The large airline turns out to be cheaper sometimes. Be very careful. Read the fine print. Know what you buy.

6. Is “skiplagging” legal to do?

Skiplagging is a trick. You book a long flight. You get off at the layover. It saves money. Airlines hate this. It loses them money. It is not illegal.

You will not be arrested by the police. It is, however, a breach of contract. The airline can punish you. They have an ability to cancel your ticket back home. They can take your miles. They can ban you. So, be careful. Do not check a bag. Do not do it often. It is a risk.

7. How do I find error fares?

Error fares are mistakes. A wrong price is typed by an airline. A $1000 flight becomes $100. You must act fast. These deals disappear. They last a few hours.

Use sites like Secret Flying. Use Scott’s Cheap Flights. They hunt for mistakes. When you see one, buy it. Do not wait. Do not call the airline. Just book it. Wait for the confirmation. Then, wait a few days. If they do not cancel, you win. It is a lottery.

8. Is it a matter of time of the day when flying?

Yes, the time matters. Most people like to fly at 10 AM. Or they like 2 PM. These are comfortable times. Therefore, they cost more.

The early mornings flights are inexpensive. Nobody wants to wake up at 4 AM. Late night flights are cheap. These are “red-eye” flights. You sleep on the plane. You save, should you be able to suffer a little. Pick the ugly times. Pick the times others hate. You will see the savings.