Cheaper flights

The deal: The best fare calendar on the internet, plus free price tracking with email alerts.

Use it well: Use the date grid for flexible trips and turn on “Track prices” — then book direct with the airline once Google finds the fare.

Watch out: Doesn't show Southwest. Tracked fares can vanish overnight — book when the alert hits, not tomorrow.

The deal: Mistake fares and deep flight deals from your home airports, delivered by email. Free tier available.

Use it well: Set your home airports and be ready to book within hours — the best deals die fast. The premium tier catches international mistake fares.

Watch out: Free tier covers economy domestic deals only; spontaneity is required.

The deal: Cheap-flight alerts for US and European airports, with free and premium tiers.

Use it well: Start on the free plan; upgrade only if you fly internationally often enough to catch the premium fares.

Watch out: Deal frequency varies by airport — smaller airports get fewer alerts.

The deal: Hidden-city fares: book a longer itinerary for less than the direct flight you actually take.

Use it well: Only works one-way with carry-on luggage only. Never attach your frequent-flyer number to these bookings.

Watch out: Airlines prohibit hidden-city ticketing and have penalized travelers. Never do it on the return leg of a round trip.

The deal: Metasearch that routinely surfaces cheaper overseas booking sites than the big aggregators show.

Use it well: Use it for discovery, then vet the booking site's reviews before paying a dime.

Watch out: Some listed agencies have painful change and cancellation policies — read the terms before you book.