As anyone who has ever booked a flight knows, the cost of air travel can be unpredictable and frustratingly high. But what if you could track flight prices and book at the right time to save money? With a little effort and the right tools, you can do just that. In this article, we’ll show you how to track flight prices and book your next flight at the best possible price.

Step 1: Understand How Flight Prices Work

Before we dive into tracking flight prices, it’s essential to understand how they work. Airlines use a complex algorithm to determine prices, taking into account factors like:

• Demand: Prices tend to increase as the flight approaches and more people book.
• Competition: Airlines check what their competitors are charging for similar routes and adjust their prices accordingly.
• Fuel costs: As fuel prices rise, so do ticket prices.
• Seasonality: Prices often peak during peak travel seasons like summer and holidays.
• Day of the week: Flying on certain days, like Tuesdays, can be cheaper than others.

Step 2: Choose Your Tracking Tool

There are many tools available to track flight prices. Here are some popular options:

• Google Flights: A powerful and free tool that allows you to track prices, explore destinations, and find the best deals.
• Skyscanner: A search engine that compares prices across airlines, online travel agencies, and meta-search engines.
• Airfarewatchdog: A website that offers fare sale alerts, error fares, and expert advice on finding cheap flights.
• Hopper: A mobile app that analyzes prices and recommends the best time to book.
• Kayak: A travel search engine that allows you to track prices and receive price alerts.

Step 3: Set Up Price Alerts

Once you’ve chosen your tracking tool, set up price alerts for your desired route. Here’s how:

• Google Flights: Click on the “Track prices” button on your desired route, and Google will email you when prices drop.
• Skyscanner: Set up a price alert by clicking on the “Get price alerts” button on your search results page.
• Airfarewatchdog: Sign up for fare sale alerts on their website or follow them on social media.
• Hopper: Download the app, enter your route, and Hopper will send you push notifications when prices drop.
• Kayak: Set up price alerts on their website or through their mobile app.

Step 4: Analyze Price Trends

As you receive price alerts, analyze the trends to determine the best time to book. Here are some tips:

• Look for patterns: If prices are consistently dropping, it might be a good time to book.
• Identify price spikes: If prices suddenly increase, it might be a sign that the airline is experiencing high demand.
• Check for error fares: Keep an eye out for mistake fares, which can be significantly cheaper than usual.

Step 5: Book at the Right Time

Now that you’ve analyzed the price trends, it’s time to book. Here are some general guidelines:

• Book on the right day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper than other days.
• Book at the right time: Booking during off-peak hours (like late at night or early in the morning) can lead to cheaper fares.
• Book in advance: Generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper the fare.
• Be flexible: Consider flying on different days or at different times to find the best deal.

Example: Tracking Prices for a Flight from New York to Los Angeles

Let’s say you want to track prices for a flight from New York to Los Angeles. You set up a price alert on Google Flights, and over the next few weeks, you receive the following alerts:

• Week 1: $400
• Week 2: $380
• Week 3: $420
• Week 4: $350

Based on this trend, you can see that prices are generally decreasing. You decide to book the flight during Week 4, when the price drops to $350.

Checklist: Tracking Flight Prices and Booking at the Right Time

• Choose a tracking tool (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Airfarewatchdog, Hopper, or Kayak)
• Set up price alerts for your desired route
• Analyze price trends to determine the best time to book
• Look for patterns, identify price spikes, and check for error fares
• Book on the right day (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper)
• Book at the right time (off-peak hours like late at night or early in the morning)
• Book in advance (generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper the fare)
• Be flexible (consider flying on different days or at different times to find the best deal)

By following these steps and using the right tools, you can track flight prices and book at the right time to save money on your next flight. Happy travels!