Oct 14, 2026

6 Popular Flight Booking Hacks That Don't Really Work Anymore

With airfare costs still top of mind for many Americans, travelers often turn to booking "hacks" in hopes of finding cheaper flights. However, many of the most widely shared strategies are outdated, misunderstood or simply ineffective.

A recent CheapOair analysis debunked many of the booking tricks people still practice. Here are the most popular hacks that don't work, and what to do instead.

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1. Book Flights on Tuesdays

The CheapOair survey found that 74% of travelers believe there's a best time of day to book flights, while 37% believe Tuesday is the cheapest day to book. However, airfare prices don't follow a universal schedule.

"Saving money on travel ultimately comes down to flexibility, timing and making thoughtful decisions during the booking process," said Thomas Spagnola, senior vice president of supplier relations at CheapOair. "There is no universally cheapest day to book a flight and no particular time of day. Airfare pricing is constantly influenced by demand, seasonality, competition, and available inventory."

Instead of chasing the "perfect" booking moment, travelers may have more success by setting fare alerts, comparing nearby airports and remaining flexible with travel dates. As Spagnola noted, even shifting a trip by a day or two can sometimes unlock lower fares.

2. Choose Round-Trip Flights for the Best Deal

Most travelers (72%) believe that round-trip fares provide better value than one-way fares. This used to be true, but now, it isn't always the case.

"For many years, airlines typically priced round-trip itineraries below the combined cost of two separate one-way tickets," Spagnola said. "More recently, many airlines have moved away from preferential round-trip pricing and instead price each flight segment on its own. In many cases, a round-trip fare is simply the cost of the outbound flight plus the cost of the return flight."

As a result, travelers may sometimes find savings by comparing separate one-way tickets, including combinations across different airlines, rather than assuming a traditional round-trip fare will automatically offer the best value.

"That doesn't necessarily mean booking two one-way fares will be cheaper, as pricing can vary significantly by airline, route and travel dates," Spagnola said. "However, it's worth comparing all available options before booking to make sure you're getting the best price for your trip."

3. Opt for Budget Airlines for the Cheapest Flights

Although 68% of those surveyed believe that budget airlines are the cheapest to fly with, this isn't always the case once fees are factored in.

"While budget airlines display an initial total cost for a fare, it’s important to keep in mind that the fare may not include a checked bag, seat selection or some local transit fees," Spagnola said. "If those add-ons are important to you, factor them into the total cost before booking."

He recommends finding the true total fare before booking.

"One way to get a clearer picture of the final price is to simulate the booking process – selecting a specific fare and adding any checked bags, seat selections or travel insurance you may need – until you reach the final checkout page," Spagnola said. "Ancillary fees can add up quickly, so the lowest advertised fare isn’t always the cheapest option once your trip is fully customized."

Depending on the airline and itinerary, checked bags can cost $30 to $65, while seat selection may cost $30 or more. Travel insurance can also add roughly 4% to 10% of the total prepaid trip cost.

4. Clear Cookies To Unlock Cheaper Airfares

Roughly half of those surveyed believe that repeatedly searching for a flight causes the price to increase (48%) and that clearing browser cookies can help uncover lower fares (50%).

"Airline pricing is primarily influenced by seat inventory, by real-time demand across airlines, [online travel agencies] and other booking websites, and by proximity to the departure date," Spagnola said. "Changes in airfare are typically driven by overall shifts in demand and availability, not an individual traveler’s browsing history."

5. Book Months in Advance for Lower Prices

Over half of those surveyed (55%) believe that you will get the best prices if you book flights a few months before your departure date. In reality, you may get better pricing by booking closer to your departure.

"While there’s no universal booking window that guarantees the lowest fare, our proprietary data suggests that booking 30 to 60 days before departure is often a strong window for finding consistently low prices," Spagnola said. "Airlines can also offer last-minute deals within zero to 30 days of departure, although those opportunities tend to be less predictable."

CheapOair data shows that booking 90 or more days in advance can offer limited or inconsistent pricing advantages.

6. Use Airline Websites To Secure the Lowest Fares

Roughly a third (31%) of travelers believe that they will get the lowest prices by booking directly with the airline. In addition, 29% believe the best prices are through an online travel agency, and 28% believe you get the best rates through price comparison sites.

"The best option depends on the traveler’s specific itinerary and booking needs," Spagnola said. "Airlines may offer their own promotions, direct discounts or limited-time fare drops, while online travel agencies can provide access to different fare options, alternative route combinations and, in some cases, the ability to book in different currencies."

The best approach is to compare options before booking.

"With airline pricing more dynamic than ever, travelers who understand how fares are structured and take the time to compare their options are better positioned to find the best deal," Spagnola concluded.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Gabrielle Olya

Edited by

Zuri Anderson