How Do I Get Notified of Price Drops for Flights?

 When planning a trip, one of the most crucial considerations is the cost of flights. Flight prices fluctuate due to a variety of factors like demand, time of year, and even airline policies. Often, travelers wait for the right time to book in hopes of securing the lowest possible price. Fortunately, there are several tools and strategies available to help you track flight prices and get notified when there’s a price drop.

In this blog, we will explore how you can stay informed about flight price drops, the best tools for the job, and how to maximize your chances of getting the best deals on your flights.

1. Use Flight Search Engines and Booking Platforms with Price Alerts

Several flight search engines and online travel agencies (OTAs) allow you to set up price alerts for specific routes. These platforms track flight prices in real-time and send you notifications when prices drop.

1.1. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is one of the most popular flight search engines, known for its ability to track flight prices across multiple airlines and booking websites. Here's how you can use Skyscanner to set up price alerts:

• Step 1: Visit the Skyscanner website or app.

• Step 2: Enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates.

• Step 3: Once you see the list of available flights, look for the “Price Alert” option, which is usually found at the top or bottom of the flight results page.

• Step 4: Create an account, and Skyscanner will notify you via email when there’s a price drop for your selected route.

Skyscanner tracks prices on flights and sends you notifications of any significant drops in price. You can also monitor prices for different dates and destinations, providing flexibility in your travel plans.

1.2. Google Flights

Google Flights is another excellent tool for tracking flight prices and setting up price alerts. Here's how to use Google Flights to stay on top of price changes:

• Step 1: Go to the Google Flights website or open the app.

• Step 2: Enter your travel details, including the departure and arrival airports, as well as your travel dates.

• Step 3: After entering your travel details, you’ll see a list of available flights. At the top of the results page, you’ll see an option that says “Track Prices.”

• Step 4: Toggle the price tracking feature on by clicking “Track Prices,” and Google will send you email notifications whenever there’s a significant drop in price for your route.

One of the advantages of Google Flights is its ability to show price trends and predictions. Google will also indicate whether a price is expected to rise or fall in the future based on historical data, helping you decide whether to book now or wait.

1.3. Kayak

Kayak is a popular travel search engine that compares flight prices from various airlines and booking sites. It has a useful feature for monitoring price drops.

• Step 1: Go to Kayak’s website or open the app.

• Step 2: Enter your flight details and search for flights.

• Step 3: Kayak will show you available flights, and at the top of the page, you'll see an option to “Set Price Alert.”

• Step 4: Once you set the price alert, Kayak will send you email or mobile notifications whenever there’s a price drop for your selected flight.

Kayak’s alerts can be customized based on your preferences, such as how much of a price drop you’d like to receive notifications for. You can also track multiple routes and destinations simultaneously.

1.4. Hopper

Hopper is an app that specializes in predicting flight prices and helping travelers find the best time to book their flights. It uses historical data to forecast whether a price will go up or down and sends price alerts accordingly.

• Step 1: Download the Hopper app on your phone.

• Step 2: Enter your travel details, such as departure city, destination, and travel dates.

• Step 3: Hopper will analyze flight prices and provide a recommendation on whether you should book now or wait.

• Step 4: You can turn on price alerts within the app to receive notifications when prices drop for your chosen flight.

One of the standout features of Hopper is its "Price Freeze" option, which allows you to lock in a flight price for a limited time for a small fee, ensuring you get the best deal before prices increase.

2. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Loyalty Programs

Many airlines and online travel agencies send out newsletters with special offers, promotions, and discounts. These newsletters often include information about flash sales, last-minute deals, or price reductions for specific routes.

• Step 1: Sign up for newsletters from airlines you frequently fly with or those offering the routes you want to track.

• Step 2: Join loyalty programs or frequent flyer programs with your preferred airlines. Members of loyalty programs often receive exclusive discounts or early access to flash sales and special promotions.

By being on the mailing list, you’ll be one of the first to know about sales or price reductions, which can help you get the best deals before they are widely advertised.

3. Use Social Media for Flash Sales and Promotions

Many airlines and booking platforms announce price drops or special deals on their social media channels. Following these companies on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram can keep you updated on real-time promotions. Airlines often post limited-time flash sales or exclusive discount codes on their social media pages, which you can take advantage of if you’re following them.

• Follow your favorite airlines on social media: This is an easy and immediate way to get alerts about special promotions and sales.

• Set up notifications: On platforms like Twitter, you can turn on notifications for specific accounts so you never miss a post about flight discounts.

4. Set Up Price Alerts with Travel Agents

Some travel agencies offer personalized services for monitoring flight prices and sending price drop alerts. While these services may come at a cost, they can save you time by having a professional track and book flights for you. If you have a specific budget or travel requirements, a travel agent can help you find the best deals and negotiate better rates.

You can contact a travel agent online, and many agencies also offer price tracking and alert services via email or their apps.

5. Check for Discounts on Deal Websites and Forums

Deal websites like SecretFlying, The Flight Deal, or Airfarewatchdog specialize in finding and sharing discounted flights. They regularly update their websites with information about price drops, flash sales, and hidden deals for travelers.

• Follow deal websites: These websites constantly scan for price drops on flights and can notify you through their newsletters or social media pages when an amazing deal becomes available.

• Use forums: Websites like Reddit have dedicated travel forums where users share the latest flight deals. Participating in these communities can help you stay up-to-date on the best deals.

6. How to Maximize Your Chances of Getting the Best Deals

While using price alerts and tracking tools is effective, there are additional strategies to increase your chances of securing the best prices:

• Book in Advance: Booking your flight several months in advance often yields better prices. Most airlines offer their lowest prices when tickets first go on sale.

• Be Flexible with Dates: Prices vary significantly depending on the time of year, day of the week, and even time of day. If your travel dates are flexible, you can take advantage of cheaper options.

• Look for Deals During Off-Peak Seasons: Flying during off-peak seasons, such as mid-week or during the shoulder season (the period between peak and off-peak seasons), can result in significant savings.

Conclusion

Getting notified of flight price drops is an essential tool for savvy travelers who want to save money and make informed booking decisions. By using flight search engines with price alert features, signing up for newsletters, following airlines on social media, and utilizing deal websites, you can ensure that you’re always up to date with the latest price reductions. Additionally, leveraging loyalty programs and working with travel agents can further help you stay ahead of the competition when booking flights.

By staying proactive and using these tools and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to find the best deals and book flights at the most affordable prices.