4 Travel Hacks I Use to Make Flights Feel More Affordable

Travel has always been one of the biggest priorities in my life, so even though flight prices seem higher than ever, my desire to explore the world hasn’t changed. After years of booking trips, I’ve realised that making travel more affordable isn’t just about finding the cheapest fare, it’s about being strategic.

These are the four hacks I use before booking any trip to make flights feel more manageable. Including one app that has completely transformed the way I handle travel costs.

1. Be flexible – look at different dates and airports

One of the easiest ways to save money on flights is to stop searching for one exact route on one exact date. Flexibility is everything. Even leaving a day earlier or later can make a surprising difference – weekends and bank holidays are almost always more expensive, so a small shift in dates can save you more than you’d expect.

I always recommend using a travel app that lets you compare flexible dates and nearby airports at the same time, so you’re not just seeing one fixed price – you’re giving yourself the best chance of spotting a better deal. Vuelo is great for this because you can search across multiple travel partners in one place, for example Expedia and Skyscanner, which means you’re comparing a much wider range of options without jumping between tabs.

2. Track prices before booking

I know the feeling of seeing a fare, worrying it’ll jump, and wanting to book immediately. But unless it’s a peak travel date or a route I know sells out fast, I usually prefer to track prices first.

Expedia lets you track routes and specific dates, which gives you a much better sense of whether the current fare is normal or inflated. That takes a lot of the emotion out of the decision and helps you book more strategically. 

This is also why I don’t buy into the old idea that searching too many times somehow makes flights more expensive. Recent flight-booking guidance continues to say there is no strong evidence for that, and that price alerts are a much better tool to rely on instead. 

3. Look at the total trip cost, not just the cheapest fare

Sometimes the cheapest flight is not actually the best deal.

A super low fare can look amazing at first, but once you add baggage, layovers, and transfers, it quickly stops feeling cheap. I’ve learned that the hard way. With age I also definitely take into consideration time vs money on my flights.

For me, booking smarter means looking at the full picture: total travel time, airport location, luggage rules, flexibility, and whether the route actually makes sense. It is easy to get distracted by the lowest number on the screen, but that does not always mean it is the best-value option overall.

For example, I know that easyJet tends to charge around €150 extra for a suitcase and cabin bag, whilst British Airways often include it.

Search tools and travel guides still consistently recommend flexible searches, route comparison, and tracking over guesswork when you’re trying to find better flight deals.

4. Spread out the payment – this travel hack changed everything for me

This is the travel hack that has made the biggest difference for me recently!

I often find the most frustrating part of booking a trip is having to pay for everything all at once. Flights, hotels, activities… it adds up quickly, and paying in one go can feel heavy even when the trip itself is worth it. But Vuelo is the travel hack that helps with this.

Vuelo is a travel app that lets you book flights now and split the cost into interest-free monthly payments. “Book now, pay later” flights are already a recognised travel-booking option across the industry, and the basic idea is simple: instead of paying the full airfare as one lump sum, the cost is divided into instalments over time. If you book early, you can even save up to 48%!

It just makes booking feel much more manageable. For frequent travellers, bigger trips, or even just those moments when you find a flight you want to lock in without paying everything upfront, that flexibility can make a real difference.

They have many partners like Skyscanner, Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb. So it’s perfect for finding the best flight and hotel deals.

Plus you can get £30 off your first booking. Download the app to try it out for yourself!

Final thoughts on travel hacks to make flights cheaper

Travel definitely isn’t getting cheaper, which is why I think booking smarter matters more than ever.

For me, that means staying flexible with dates, comparing airports, tracking prices, looking at the full cost of a trip, and using tools that make travel feel more manageable. Vuelo is one of those tools, and it’s genuinely changed the way I think about booking flights.If you’re planning a trip make sure to check out some of my travel guides.