1. Flip Your Search Strategy

Instead of choosing a destination and dates first, try searching by price from your home airport(s). See what cheap fares are available, then decide which destinations interest you and find dates that work.

• **Traditional:** Destination → Dates → Price (often expensive)
• **TravelSmart:** Home Airport → Cheap Fares → Interesting Destinations → Dates

2. Book in "Goldilocks Windows"

Booking too early or too late can lead to higher prices. Aim for these optimal booking periods:

• **Domestic Flights (Peak Season):** 3 to 7 months in advance
• **Domestic Flights (Off-Peak Season):** 1 to 3 months in advance
• **International Flights (Peak Season):** 4 to 10 months in advance
• **International Flights (Off-Peak Season):** 2 to 8 months in advance

Think seasonally: when winter coats are on sale in late spring, so are winter flights!

3. Know the Cheapest Days to Fly

While the cheapest day to *buy* tickets is any day (due to complex algorithms), the cheapest days to *fly* are generally **Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays**. Business travelers often avoid these days, leading to lower demand and prices.

4. Utilize Price Tracking & Alerts

Don't constantly check prices yourself. Set up price alerts for specific routes or flexible dates. You'll get notifications when prices drop, ensuring you never miss a deal.

5. Book Directly with Airlines/Hotels

While comparison sites like TravelSmart help you find the best deals, booking directly with the airline or hotel can simplify managing your reservation, luggage, and makes cancellations/delays easier to handle. Many also offer a 24-hour free cancellation window.

6. Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations

If your travel plans are flexible, use tools like date grids and price graphs to visualize the cheapest days to fly. Exploring nearby airports or slightly different dates can unlock significant savings.