Fall is one of the best times to travel. September through October is “shoulder season,” that time between the summer rush and the holiday crush. Prices dip, crowds thin and you can score deals if you know when and where to look.
The biggest wins come from when you book, what day you fly, and how you search. Below are some ways to save.
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
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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
- Airlines track searches and sometimes bump prices if they see repeat interest
- Open a private browser window (Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N or Command+Shift+N on Mac, Safari: File > New Private Window)
- Compare results in regular and incognito to spot the best deal
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 airlines 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 Cash. 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.
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