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Looking for Cheap Plane Tickets? Try These 3 Simple Travel Hacks for Low Airfares

Scoring a cheap flight can be easier if you follow a few specific steps.

Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
Expertise Personal Finance: Social Security and taxes
Katie Teague
3 min read
a passenger airliner landing at an airport

After an expensive summer, air travel is expected to get cheaper this fall.

James Martin/CNET

Leaves aren't the only things that'll be dropping this fall -- airplane ticket prices seem poised to decrease considerably.

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In an interview with ABC News, Hopper economist Haley Berg shared that travelers can expect airfares in autumn that are 29% lower than this summer's prices. She also predicts that the best time to buy tickets for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays will be Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Whether it's travel for the holidays or for earlier this autumn, here's what you need to know about getting cheap plane tickets. From the cheapest day to fly to our picks for the best travel credit cards, we'll give you the tips you need to find affordable flights.

Read more: After 500 Flights, This Travel Expert Shares His Best Saving Secrets

Book your flights for the middle of the week

If you've been scheduling your flights to take off and land on the weekend, you're doing it all wrong. According to a recent Google study, flying during the middle of the week will get you the best deal. On those days, tickets are roughly 12% to 20% cheaper than flying on a weekend day.

For economy tickets, prices on Tuesday and Wednesday are generally 24% lower than peak prices, saving you roughly $85 per ticket, CNET's Sophia Fox-Sowell reports.

The most expensive day to fly? Sunday. Avoid scheduling flights for this day if you want to save money.

Book one-way flights instead of round trips

Booking one-way flights may not be as convenient as round-trip tickets, but it gives you more options to choose from. You can book through different airlines for the best prices on the days you plan on flying. For instance, Delta may be cheaper flying to your destination, but American may be cheaper coming back.

"There have been many cases where booking two one-way flights with two different airlines is less expensive than booking a round trip with a single airline," according to The Points Guy, a sister site of CNET.

Also, you can use frequent flyer miles and travel rewards points from credit cards to save even more money.

Choose a budget airline

If you're looking to save a little bit more money when flying, consider booking through a budget airline. They're generally cheaper than larger airlines like United and Delta and can save you several hundred dollars.

However, you'll likely have to pay additional fees for carry-on bags and other amenities that are generally free through other airlines. You'll also be assigned a random seat unless you pay to choose your seat, which can be inconvenient if you're flying with a group and you want to sit together.

Here's a list of the budget airlines in the US:

For more travel tips, learn whether travel insurance is worth the cost and expert tips for picking and packing carry-on luggage.

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