Airfare Prices Are Taking Flight. Here’s How to Score Cheap Plane Tickets

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Airfare prices are high — but you may still be able to score cheap plane tickets. 

Key points

• Airfare prices are expensive due to increased fuel costs and higher travel demand. 
• Taking advantage of airfare sales, flying with low-cost carriers, and using travel rewards points may help you score cheap plane tickets. 

As more people feel comfortable traveling again and fuel prices rise, it now costs more to travel — especially by air. If you’re looking at airfare prices and are shocked at the numbers you’re seeing, you’re not alone. But you can still score cheap plane tickets. Here are a few tips for scoring cheap plane tickets for your upcoming vacation: 

As you begin to research airfare prices for your trip, don’t forget to use travel search tools. You can compare costs across multiple airlines quickly, so you can get the best deal and waste less time. With these tools, you can also play around with your dates to find the cheapest travel dates. Some examples include Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo. 

Pay attention to airline sales 

Overall, flight prices may be high. But that doesn’t mean sales are nonexistent. Watch out for emails and social media postings that promote airline-specific sales. You can also look at your favorite airlines’ websites to view current deals. You may be able to get a cheaper ticket by flying to a specific destination that is on sale. Let the best price determine where you go! 

Use credit card points or miles 

If you have rewards points or miles that you’ve been meaning to use up — now may be a good time to put them to use. You may be able to redeem your rewards for free or nearly-free travel. If multiple redemption options are available, check to see which option gives you the best value. 

Don’t ignore low-cost carriers

If you usually avoid low-cost carriers, you may want to give them a try. You could save some money by going with a no-frills airline. Remember to review the baggage allowance requirements before you pack up, so you’re not in for any surprises — like extra bag fees. 

Compare one-way tickets vs. round-trip tickets

Usually, round-trip tickets are a more affordable solution. But with airfare prices so high, you may be able to save money by booking two one-way tickets instead. Before booking your airfare, compare pricing to see which option is the best move for your wallet.  

Don’t wait to book

If possible, book your tickets as far in advance as you can. Likely, rates will only continue to rise as the demand for travel increases and as the busy travel months approach. The ticket price may feel high now, but it could get higher if you wait a few weeks to book. 

Yes — airfare prices are high. But that doesn’t mean you can’t score cheap travel. By being strategic and re-thinking how you search for and book your tickets, you may be able to keep more money in your bank account. 

If you’re making reservations and planning your next trip, it can be beneficial to pay with travel rewards credit cards to earn valuable rewards.