Traveling by air is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to reach your destination, but as many travelers know, flight prices can fluctuate wildly.
Whether you’re booking an international vacation or trying to get the best deal on a business trip, knowing how to track flight prices effectively can help you save money and ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into how to track flight prices, the tools you can use, and why using platforms like CheapOair, Kiwi.com, Omio, Thrifty Traveler, TravelUp.com, and Lucky2Go.com will give you an advantage in securing the best fares.
Why Flight Prices Fluctuate
Understanding why flight prices change is essential for anyone who wants to successfully track airfare.
Airlines don’t set a price and leave it unchanged—prices are highly dynamic and influenced by multiple factors.
1. Supply and Demand
Like most industries, the airline industry operates on the basic principle of supply and demand.
When demand for a particular flight is high—such as around holidays, summer vacation, or major events—prices will rise.
Conversely, during low travel seasons or when there’s less demand for specific routes, prices tend to drop.
Key Insight:
Airlines have complex algorithms that adjust pricing based on real-time demand.
These algorithms assess how fast tickets are selling and adjust prices accordingly.
Therefore, flights may fluctuate daily, or even hourly, depending on how sales are trending.
2. Time Until Departure
One of the most significant factors in flight pricing is how close you are to the departure date.
Typically, flights start out at a moderate price when first released, and as seats begin to sell, the prices rise.
As the departure date approaches, if a flight still has many unsold seats, airlines may reduce the fare to attract last-minute bookings.
Key Insight:
While it’s a common belief that last-minute deals can save you money, this strategy is often risky.
Most experts recommend booking flights between 1-3 months in advance for domestic travel and 3-6 months in advance for international trips to get the best deal.
Flight price tracking tools can help you monitor fluctuations over time.
3. Day of the Week and Time of Day
The day of the week and time of day can also affect ticket prices.
Typically, flights departing on weekdays are cheaper than those departing on weekends.
Similarly, red-eye flights (late-night or very early morning departures) are often less expensive due to lower demand.
Key Insight:
Airlines target business travelers and vacationers who tend to book on weekends or prefer flights during peak hours.
By opting for midweek flights or off-peak times, you can often save a significant amount.
Tracking prices over a range of dates and times can help you identify patterns and book the most affordable options.
4. Airline Competition
When multiple airlines compete on the same route, prices are often driven down to attract passengers.
Conversely, on routes where only one or two airlines operate, prices tend to remain high due to the lack of competition.
Key Insight:
Keeping an eye on competing airlines and using price comparison tools will help you identify when a fare war might lead to cheaper prices. Platforms like Kiwi.com and CheapOair can help by showcasing multiple airlines for the same route, allowing you to easily compare and track the best options.
5. Fuel Prices and Economic Factors
Rising fuel prices and fluctuating currencies can also affect airfare.
When fuel costs increase, airlines often pass the added expense onto passengers.
Additionally, changes in exchange rates can make international flights more expensive for travelers from certain regions.
Key Insight:
While these factors are beyond your control, being aware of them can help you understand when and why prices are changing.
Tracking prices over time and using alerts will allow you to spot price drops even during periods of rising costs.
Benefits of Flight Price Tracking
Tracking flight prices offers a multitude of benefits for both frequent flyers and occasional travelers:
- Price Fluctuation Awareness: Price tracking helps you understand when fares are at their lowest and when they are likely to rise, allowing you to book at the most advantageous time.
- Set Alerts for Deals: Many platforms offer price alerts that notify you when fares drop, so you don’t have to manually check prices every day.
- Confidence in Booking: Instead of worrying whether you could have found a better deal, price tracking allows you to book with confidence, knowing you secured the lowest fare.
- Flexible Travel Planning: If you’re flexible with your travel dates, tracking tools can help you spot the cheapest days to fly, potentially saving you hundreds on airfare.
Best Tools and Platforms for Flight Price Tracking
There are several powerful platforms available to help you track flight prices effectively.
Let’s explore how to use each one and why they’re so valuable for budget-conscious travelers.
1.CheapOair
CheapOair is a user-friendly platform designed to help travelers find affordable flights.
It offers a variety of tools for price tracking and allows you to set up airfare alerts easily.
How to Set Up Airfare Alerts on CheapOair:
- Visit CheapOair and search for your flight route.
- Once you’ve selected your route and travel dates, you’ll see the option to “Track Price.”
- Enter your email address to receive notifications when prices drop.
CheapOair doesn’t just track flights—it also provides promo codes and offers exclusive discounts that can be applied to your booking.
If you’re flexible with your dates, you can compare different departure times to find the cheapest options.
Pro Tip:
CheapOair often bundles deals on hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages with flight bookings, helping you save even more.
Make sure to explore these bundles, especially if you’re planning a more extended vacation.
2. Kiwi.com
Kiwi.com is a highly innovative platform that excels in offering unique routes, mixing and matching flights from different airlines, including budget carriers that traditional flight search engines might overlook.
The platform is particularly beneficial for multi-city trips.
How to Use Kiwi.com’s Price Alerts:
- Go to Kiwi.com and input your travel details.
- After you’ve performed your search, you’ll be able to set a price alert for the route.
- Kiwi.com will notify you whenever the prices drop for your selected route, enabling you to book at the lowest possible price.
One of the standout features of Kiwi.com is its “Nomad” tool, which helps travelers plan multi-destination trips by optimizing routes and finding the best deals across all legs of the journey.
This is perfect for long-term travelers or those looking to visit several cities in one trip.
Pro Tip:
Kiwi.com also excels at finding “hidden city” flights—these are flights where it’s cheaper to book a multi-leg journey but get off at the layover city.
This loophole can sometimes save you hundreds, though it comes with caveats like needing to fly with carry-on luggage only.
3. Omio
Omio offers a comprehensive travel comparison service that covers flights, trains, and buses.
This platform is particularly useful for travelers looking to explore Europe or other regions where multiple modes of transport are available.
How to Set Airfare Alerts on Omio:
- Head over to Omio and search for your desired flight route.
- You can then set an airfare alert to track prices for that specific flight.
- Omio will notify you when prices change, helping you find the best deal.
Omio is an excellent tool for comparing not just flights, but also alternative travel options.
If a flight is too expensive, Omio will show you bus or train options that might be cheaper.
This can be particularly helpful if you’re flexible and want to explore multiple travel options.
Pro Tip:
Omio is perfect for travelers who want to mix different forms of transportation.
For instance, if you’re traveling within Europe, you might be able to take a cheaper bus or train instead of a flight.
Keep your options open by setting up alerts for all modes of trans port.
4. Thrifty Traveler
Thrifty Traveler is a must for those who love snagging last-minute deals and finding exclusive flight offers.
This platform focuses on helping travelers discover mistake fares, flash sales, and other rare opportunities that aren’t widely advertised.
How to Use Thrifty Traveler’s Alerts:
- Go to Thrifty Traveler and sign up for their free daily email alerts.
- For premium members, Thrifty Traveler sends personalized fare alerts for both domestic and international flights, often uncovering deals that mainstream platforms miss.
Thrifty Traveler is especially effective for those who are flexible with their travel dates and destinations.
They often publish last-minute deals or “error fares”—pricing mistakes made by airlines that can result in incredibly low prices.
Pro Tip:
If you can travel on short notice or are open to different destinations, Thrifty Traveler’s alerts are invaluable.
Additionally, premium members get access to even more exclusive deals, including secret fares and members-only flight discounts.
5. TravelUp.com
TravelUp.com offers a comprehensive flight search tool that’s designed for international travelers.
With a focus on competitive pricing, TravelUp provides an easy-to-use platform for tracking flights and setting price alerts.
How to Track Flight Prices on TravelUp:
- Visit TravelUp.com and search for your desired flight.
- Use the “Track This Flight” feature to set up airfare alerts.
- You’ll receive notifications by email when the price drops, allowing you to book at the optimal time.
TravelUp is also known for its vacation package deals, which can bundle hotels
, car rentals, and excursions with your flight booking.
This makes it an excellent choice for travelers looking to save across multiple aspects of their trip.
Pro Tip:
TravelUp frequently offers discounts on both flight and hotel bundles.
Be sure to check for package deals when tracking flight prices, as the combined savings can sometimes make a more expensive flight worth it when paired with a discounted hotel.
6. Lucky2Go.com
Lucky2Go is an easy-to-navigate flight booking platform that offers price tracking for travelers who want to monitor airfare fluctuations without the hassle of complex features.
It’s perfect for users who want simplicity without sacrificing savings.
How to Set Price Alerts with Lucky2Go:
- Search for your flight on Lucky2Go.
- Opt to receive price alerts by entering your email address.
- Lucky2Go will notify you when the price of your selected flight drops, helping you book at the best rate.
While Lucky2Go might not offer the extensive features of some of the other platforms on this list, its simplicity makes it an excellent choice for travelers who want a straightforward, no-frills flight tracking experience.
Pro Tip:
Since Lucky2Go focuses on ease of use, it’s great for first-time travelers or those who prefer minimalistic interfaces.
The site also occasionally offers discount codes, so be sure to check for additional savings.
Additional Strategies for Tracking Flight Prices
While using platforms like CheapOair, Kiwi.com, Omio, and Thrifty Traveler can significantly improve your chances of finding cheap flights, there are several other strategies you can use to further maximize your savings:
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
One of the easiest ways to find lower prices is by being flexible with your departure and return dates.
Many price tracking platforms, such as Kiwi.com and CheapOair, allow you to search for flights across a range of dates, showing you the cheapest days to fly.
2. Set Multiple Price Alerts
Don’t limit yourself to just one platform.
Setting alerts on multiple platforms like Omio, TravelUp.com, and Thrifty Traveler increases your chances of catching a price drop, as different platforms sometimes have access to different fare classes or exclusive deals.
3. Use Incognito Mode
Airlines and travel sites often use cookies to track your browsing behavior, which can lead to higher prices after multiple searches.
To avoid this, always search for flights in incognito or private browsing mode, or clear your browser cookies before searching.
4. Look for Hidden Fees
While a flight might seem cheap upfront, some airlines—especially budget carriers—add fees for services like checked baggage, seat selection, and onboard meals.
Make sure to factor in these costs when comparing fares, as the total cost may be higher than it appears.
5. Monitor Historical Data
If you’re planning a trip far in advance, take advantage of platforms that provide historical data on flight prices.
Tools like Google Flights and Hopper offer historical trends that can help you determine the best time to book.
Combine these insights with real-time price alerts to ensure you’re booking at the right time.
6. Sign Up for Newsletters
In addition to tracking prices on third-party platforms, consider signing up for email newsletters from airlines.
Airlines often send out exclusive deals to their email subscribers, including flash sales and early access to promotions.
Pairing these offers with price tracking tools can help you secure even better deals.
7. Consider Budget Airlines
Platforms like Kiwi.com and CheapOair often list budget airlines that might not appear on other major search engines.
While budget airlines can save you money, be mindful of their fees for extras like baggage, food, and seat selection, as these can quickly add up.
8. Be Ready to Act Quickly
Flight deals, especially error fares and flash sales, don’t last long.
When you receive an alert about a price drop, it’s important to act fast.
Some of the best deals can disappear in a matter of hours, so always have your payment information and travel documents ready.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Flight Price Tracking
Tracking flight prices isn’t just about saving money—it’s about understanding the patterns and fluctuations that dictate airfare.
With the right tools and strategies, you can make informed decisions and avoid overpaying for flights.
Platforms like CheapOair, Kiwi.com, Omio, Thrifty Traveler, TravelUp.com, and Lucky2Go.com provide the features you need to track prices effectively, helping you stay ahead of the game.
By following the tips outlined in this guide and staying diligent with your price alerts, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible deal on your next flight.
Whether you’re planning a vacation or a business trip, smart flight tracking will ensure you’re always flying for less. Safe travels!