When it comes to flying, we all want to find the cheapest tickets so we have more to spend during the actual vacation. Compared to the more predictable airline patterns of the past, finding the least expensive options can feel especially challenging today. Often, the modern-day algorithms move so quickly that many travelers simply plug in their dates and destinations repeatedly, hoping for some luck. This random, repetitive gamble can feel ineffective… because it probably is.
Richard Edwards, founder and CEO of Vibra Media, says that searching the exact same way for flights every time is the “biggest mistake” you can make. He’s well-versed in the current digital realm, as the PR agency helps businesses maximize their online presence. Edwards himself has spent years analyzing search patterns and digital strategies. As a result, he’s uncovered a number of alternatives to secure the best flight deals.
“Airlines use dynamic pricing that changes constantly, but most people search like prices are fixed,” he said. “That’s where they lose money.”
Today’s fares update based on demand, seasonality, competitor pricing, and the amount of people searching for specific routes. This means that a traditional method of inputting exact dates and destinations often misses far cheaper alternatives, available via similar date ranges and nearby destinations.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Using Google Flights for Cheap and Easy Alternatives
The “game-changer most people ignore,” according to Edwards, is utilizing Google Flights’ Explore Map feature. Rather than searching for specific destinations, he suggested that travelers turn to this tool to see prices across multiple cities at once.
The Process:
- Go to Google Flights
- Enter your departure airport
- Leave the destination field blank
- Select your travel dates (or choose “flexible dates”)
- Click the map icon to view the Explore Map
- Browse prices across multiple destinations at the same time
- Use filters to hone in on budget, trip length, and preferred airlines
While this approach involves some flexibility, minor adjustments can lead to huge savings. This hack works because of its expansive scope, showing travelers the broader pricing landscape instead of the vastly more limited one-route strategy.
“Last month, I was helping a friend find flights to Italy,” Edwards shared. “Direct searches to Rome showed $450 minimum. But the Explore Map revealed flights to Naples for $190. Same country, same week, but $260 savings just by being flexible about the exact airport.”
Doubling Down: Save Money with Google Flights and Fare Tracking
If you want to take things further, consider pairing the Explore Map technique with Google’s fare tracking feature. See an interesting deal on the map? Set up alerts for those routes, and stay tuned to catch any price drops. If you’re fairly adaptable, set alerts for multiple alternative destinations and get ready to book once any significantly drop in price.
“People always ask me about ‘secret’ flight deals or hidden fares that airlines don’t want you to find. The truth is, there aren’t any ‘secret’ prices. Everything is publicly available. The real secret is how you search,” Edwards affirmed. “When you use tools like the Explore Map strategically, you’re not accessing hidden inventory, but simply seeing the full picture of what’s available. That broader view almost always reveals cheaper options you’d never have considered otherwise.”
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About the Author: Keegan Williams is a freelance editor and writer based in Los Angeles. They have written for publications including HuffPost, LGBTQ Nation, and High Times. Keegan has a passion for fitness. They are also immersed in LA’s underground dance scene and dabble as a DJ with a focus on percussive, high-energy techno and electronic music genres.
You can find them at keeganmwilliams.com or on Instagram @promwitch.
