How to Find Cheap Flights: 3 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

Do you ever wonder why other people always seem to find cheap flights and you don’t?

It’s because most people search the wrong way since they never learned how to look for the best cash deals. 

In this video, I’ll show you the 3 most common mistakes that keep people from finding cheap flights and how to avoid spending more than you should on travel.

I’ve cut the cost of my family’s trips by hundreds, even thousands, by avoiding these mistakes. 

And I can confidently say that you can too.

Mistake #1: Locking Yourself Into Specific Dates and Destinations

So first of all, be honest…how do you usually start planning a trip? 

Do you first decide where you want to go and when you want to go there, and then look for flights accordingly? 

If so, you’ve already guaranteed you’ll overpay.

Airlines know you’re boxed in, so you’re stuck with whatever price they throw at you.

Instead, flip it around. Start by looking for the best cash deals first. 

Let the deal decide where you go and when you go there, and you’ll be shocked at how much cheaper the flights are.

One of my favorite ways to do this is with tools like Google Explore and Kayak Explore. 

You can plug in your home airport and instantly see the cheapest places to fly, along with the dates where those prices show up.

And here’s a quick challenge: before locking in your vacation dates, ask yourself: are those dates truly set in stone?

Or could you leave a couple days earlier or later perhaps? 

Even a small shift can cut your flight price in half.

Now…even if you open up where and when you go, you might think you’ve found a great deal, but here’s another mistake that could be costing you hundreds.

Mistake #2: Only Searching One Airport

But first let me tell you about a trip we have coming up.

We are traveling to watch Florida State football take on Virginia on a Friday night in Charlottesville, VA.

So we are locked in to the date since this is a trip where the kids will miss a few days of school that day and the following week.

If you’ve got a specific destination in mind, limiting yourself to just the main airport can cost you a lot of money.

Instead, always check nearby airports. 

This works on both ends. The airport you’re flying out of and the one you’re flying into.

Sometimes, the difference is huge. 

You might find that driving an hour to a different airport, or landing a little outside of your destination city, saves you hundreds of dollars…per ticket! 

Even if you have to pay for parking, or grab a rental car, the total cost can still be way less than flying straight into the main airport.

Now, saving money on flights isn’t just about how you search. 

There’s another mistake travelers make that can wipe out all those savings, and it happens before you even board the plane. 

Mistake #3: Overpacking and Paying Baggage Fees

The third mistake people make is overpacking and racking up baggage fees. 

And trust me, I used to do the same thing.

Most of us pack way more than we’ll ever use. 

We throw in things ‘just in case,’ but if you rarely ever need them at home, what makes you think you’ll suddenly need them on a trip?

The same goes for clothing. Do we really need twenty outfit options for a four-day trip? Or even for a week? Probably not.

Here’s the big mindset shift: the less you pack, the more money you save. 

If you can get everything into a carry-on, or better yet, just a personal item, you avoid paying for checked bags.

This also opens up super cheap options with budget carriers like Frontier, Breeze, and other airlines.

Those rock-bottom fares are often only worth it if you can travel light. 

And when you do, you unlock the absolute lowest prices in the sky.

Conclusion

Finding cheap flights isn’t about luck.

It’s about breaking old habits and adopting a smarter way to travel.

Once you stop locking yourself into rigid dates, open your mind to nearby airports, and cut the baggage that drags your costs up, you’ll see just how affordable travel can be.

The best deals are already out there.

All you have to do is shift your approach and start looking the right way.

If you’re ready to save money and travel more, hit play on the video above ... and then let me know in the comments where your next trip will take you.