Finding affordable flights can be tricky, but if you know how to use Google Flights correctly it can be one of the best tools to help you find great deals. With the right strategy, you can save alot and even discover destinations you hadn’t considered before. Here’s how to use Google Flights to your advantage and maximize your savings.

1. When to Book for the Cheapest Flights

Timing is everything when booking flights. Based on my experience:
✅ Flights are usually cheaper on Monday and Tuesday nights.
✅ Flying midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, and sometimes Thursday) often results in lower fares.

✅Booking flights 2-3 months in advance is key. When you book late the flight prices tend to increase because there are limited seats available. Avoid this by planning early. 

Airfares fluctuate constantly, so tracking flight prices early can help you book when the price drops.

2. Follow the Flight, Not the Destination

One of my biggest travel hacks is to let the flight price determine my destination rather than forcing a trip when flights are too expensive.

For my 23rd birthday, I originally planned a trip to Costa Rica. Flights were around $400 roundtrip, but by the time we were ready to book, prices had jumped to $600+. While my friends were still willing to go, I felt it wasn’t worth overpaying.

While tracking flights, I noticed roundtrip flights to Cancún, Mexico for around $300! None of us had been there before, so we switched our destination, saved money, and still had an amazing trip.

👉 Lesson: If your dream destination is overpriced for the dates you want to visit, be open to alternatives. You might discover a new favorite place!

3. How to Use Google Flights Like a Pro

Most people search for a specific destination on set dates, but that’s not always the best way to find deals. Instead, use these Google Flights features:

Explore Page: Find the Cheapest Destinations

• Instead of locking in one destination, go to the Explore Page/Tab at the top of the page to see flight prices for multiple locations worldwide.

• Choose where you’re flying out of and pick “anywhere” as your destination

• If you’re flexible with dates, select a month and choose a trip length (e.g., one week, weekend, etc.).

• Use the map view to zoom in and out across different countries and spot the best deals.

Filters: Customize Your Search

Google Flights lets you filter flights based on:
✅ Price (Set a max budget, e.g., under $500)
✅ Flight Duration (e.g., under 16 hours)
✅ Layovers (Choose direct flights if you prefer)
✅ Airlines & Baggage Options

Using these filters helps you find flights that fit both your budget and comfort level.

 4. Track Flights & Set Alerts

Google Flights allows you to track specific routes and get email notifications when prices drop. If you’re planning a trip in advance, set up price alerts and check your email regularly to catch deals as soon as they appear.

If you’re flexible with your date, use the Date grid to get an idea of what dates are cheaper to fly out and come back on.

Going.com is also a great resource for tracking flights. You can sign up for the free version and put in where you fly out of and where you’re interested in traveling to. They will send you emails of deals (and they’re legit).

5. How to Know If You’re Getting a Good Deal

A great way to judge a flight price is to compare it to the average cost for that region. Here’s MY GENERAL pricing rule for roundtrip flights:

✈️ Caribbean/Central America: under $450
✈️ South America: under $900 (some northern South American countries can be between $300-$500)
✈️ Europe: under $700
✈️ Africa: under $1,200 (some North African destinations as low as $400-$900)
✈️ Asia: under $1,200

Keep in mind that popular destinations or hard-to-reach locations (such as smaller African countries requiring multiple flights) might be higher in price. Seasonality also plays a role. Peak seasons will naturally have higher prices, and traveling during major holidays, such as Christmas and New Years, will definitely increase the price of flights and possibly accommodations as well.

Google Flights’ Price Insights

Google Flights shows a price bar indicating whether a flight price is:
🟢Low (great deal)
🔸 Typical (average price)
🔺 High (expensive compared to usual fares)

If a flight is marked as high, it might be worth waiting or picking another destination.

6. Always Book Directly With the Airline

While Google Flights helps you find flights, I strongly recommend booking directly with the airline or through a travel credit card portal.

Why?
❌ Third-party sites can make cancellations, delays, or flight changes difficult to resolve.
✅ Booking directly ensures better customer service and refund options if something goes wrong.

For international trips, this is even more important. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and have issues with a third-party company! The good thing is google flights brings you directly to the airlines website once you’ve selected your flight.

7. Always Check the Weather & Best Travel Seasons

Before booking, check the best time to visit your destination. A cheap flight won’t be worth it if you’re traveling during:
🌧️ Rainy season (many activities may be closed)
🔥 Extreme heat/cold (some places become unbearable)
🏖️ Peak season (prices MAY be high for hotels and excursions/attractions…but it depends on the country)

I usually type into google “weather in _____ during (whichever month you want to go)” and do some quick research to determine whether it would be a good idea to go.

8. Travel Credit Cards

Although I have a travel credit card (cc), I still try to find affordable flights because when I’m planning a group trip, I want to make sure everyone in the group stays under budget, with or without travel credit.

Travel credit cards are a great way to reduce the cost of your flight or even make your whole flight free. I went to Bali in 2023 and my flight was free because I used my credit card points.

I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, and it has helped me lower my flight costs. They currently have a deal where if you get the card and spend $5,000 within the first three months, you’ll earn 100,000 points. That’s equivalent to about $1,250 when redeemed through their travel portal. You can use the points you earn towards booking flights, hotels, or car rentals. Plus, you also earn points from the $5,000 you’ve spent. I got this card right before a trip and made sure to put everything on it so I could hit the spending requirement quickly.

There is an annual fee of $95, but I think it’s worth it because of the many benefits. Some of the benefits include no foreign transaction fees, earning 5x points when using Lyft, and access to extra travel protections. 

There are so many cards to choose from, but make sure you do proper research before getting any credit card. I would highly recommend a travel credit card, especially if you like to travel often and want to reduce your overall travel expenses.

Quick Recap

Google Flights is an incredible tool that can save you money and help you find unexpected destinations if you:

✅ Stay flexible with destinations and dates
✅ Use the Explore Page and filters
✅ Track flights and compare prices
✅ Book directly with the airline

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!