9 Fall Flight Hacks That Could Save You Hundreds

Fall is one of the smartest times of year to travel if you know how to shop for airfare. From booking at the right time to choosing cheaper travel days and avoiding unnecessary fees, these simple strategies can help you spend less, stress less and keep more money for the fun part of your trip.

Key Tips

• Use every money-saving tool available. Fare alerts, airline loyalty points, independent carrier websites and airport transportation discounts can all add up to meaningful savings.
• Book strategically. Start tracking fares early, book holiday trips before prices climb and consider flying on less popular days for the best deals.
• Compare more than just price. Read fare rules, check alternate airports and compare booking options before you buy to avoid costly surprises.

Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

1. Book at the right time

• Lowest fares: now through mid-October
• Thanksgiving flights: book by mid-October
• December holidays: book before Halloween
• Even if you don’t know your dates, start tracking now

2. Fly on the cheapest days

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays = lower fares and shorter lines
• Fridays and Sundays = busiest and priciest
• Holiday hack: fly on the actual day (Thanksgiving morning is often cheap)
  

3. Search incognito

Private browsing can prevent old cookies or cached search results from affecting what prices you see.

How to open a private browser window:

• Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N or Command+Shift+N 
• Mac, Safari: File > New Private Window

4. Sign up for fare alerts

• Use Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak to track price drops
• FlightHub shows comparisons but can add booking fees
• Once you know the deal, book directly with the airline for fewer headaches
  

5. Read the fine print

• “Basic” fares = no cancellations, no credits, strict bag rules
• Some include only a personal item, others allow a carry-on but charge for checked bags
• Often worth paying $30–$50 more for the next fare level with bag allowance and change flexibility
  

6. Check alternate airports

• Southern California: Santa Ana, Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara
• New York: White Plains, Tweed in New Haven, Islip on Long Island
• Smaller airports often mean faster security, less stress and better fares—even if it requires a connection
  

7. Visit independent airline sites

• Check sites directly for Breeze, Avelo, WestJet, Frontier
• Fares can be fantastic, but budget for extras like carry-on fees or seat selection

8. Pool your points

• Combining balances can get you to a free ticket faster.
• JetBlue, British Airways, Emirates: free family pooling
• Capital One: send miles to another user at no cost
  

9. Get to the airport stress-free

• FARE rideshare app lets you request the same driver. I saved 30% on my last ride.  Only available in CA and GA right now.  You need a referral code to sign up: ODJA7YDH.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Skip the airport stress — Lyft’s On-Time Pickup Promise guarantees your scheduled ride shows up within 10 minutes of your pickup time. If it doesn’t? You’ll get Lyft Credits. You can schedule up to 90 days in advance and even lock in your rate. Use code SBT25 to save 25% off ONE scheduled ride to the airport.

FAQs

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