12 Insider Hacks to Book Cheap Flights – #7 Will Surprise You!

Posted on Monday, September 29th, 2025 by Chakshu Kaur Leave a Comment

Booking cheap flight tickets is easy with so many airlines and apps in India you just need to know the right tricks. The secret is all about timings, the right platforms and a few insider hacks that airlines don’t really want you to know.

In this blog, we’ll share 12 insider hacks that will help you find cheap flights and grab the best cheap flight booking deals out there. Trust us, #7 hack is going to change the way you travel forever.

Hack 1: Compare Across Multiple Platforms

The biggest mistake most people make while trying to book cheap flight tickets is sticking to just one website or app. Airlines and travel portals show different fares at different times so if you’re not comparing you’re losing money.

Always check multiple sources before confirming your ticket. Sometimes, direct airline websites offer exclusive discounts or cheap and best flight tickets that won’t show up on aggregator sites.

Travel tip: Use a cheap flight booking app like the Travanya app to set price alerts. This way, you’ll get a notification when fares drop, and you can grab cheap domestic flights in India or even cheap international flight tickets instantly.

Hack 2: Don’t Ignore Layovers

Everyone loves direct flights but if your goal is to get cheap flights then layovers are beneficial for you. Non-stop flights are usually priced higher while flights with one or two stops can give you massive savings. 

For domestic travel booking a route with a short stopover can make your ticket much cheaper than a direct option and when it comes to international travel the difference is even bigger if you’re looking for flights with layovers in Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi they don’t only offer cheaper fares but also give you the option to explore a new city if you have a long stop. 

So next time you’re doing a cheap flight booking, don’t rush for the direct flight. Check the layovers and watch how much you save.

Hack 3: Browse in Incognito Mode

Ever noticed how the fare you saw just a few hours ago suddenly went up the moment you checked again? That’s not a coincidence airlines and booking sites track your searches through cookies and once they know you are interested in a route they sometimes show higher prices for that route. 

The hack? Always search in incognito mode or clear your cookies before looking for tickets. When you do this the site can’t track your previous searches so you’ll see the real prices instead of inflated ones. This simple trick works like magic whether you’re trying to find cheap flights for domestic trips or for cheap international flight tickets.

Hack 4: Take Advantage of Error Fares

Sometimes airlines or travel websites make a mistake in their pricing, and that’s when error fares show up. These are very low ticket prices that only last for a short time before they get corrected. To catch them quickly, use a cheap flight booking app or sign up for price alert sites that notify you as soon as an error fare is available.

Hack 5: Use Local Airline Websites & Regional Deals

One of the best ways to find cheap flights is by checking local airline websites directly. Many airlines in India run flash sales and promotions that don’t always show up on aggregator sites.

For example: IndiGo often drops last-minute deals on its own portal, Air India offers special discounts for students and senior citizens, and SpiceJet frequently runs sales on cheap domestic flights in India. 

It’s also worth checking lesser-known carriers when booking cheap international flight tickets. Sometimes booking on the Indian version of the airline’s site (in INR) works out cheaper than booking on its international portal (in USD). This little trick can make a big difference when you’re trying to get cheap flights abroad.

Hack 6: Play With Your Location (VPN Trick)

Flight prices change depending on where you are booking from which is why someone in the USA might see a different fare for the same route than someone in India.

All you need is a VPN. By changing your IP address to another country you can sometimes unlock much lower fares. For example, if you’re booking Delhi–London flights, switching your IP to India instead of the UK can often show you cheap international flight tickets in INR. 

Hack 7: Hidden City Ticketing (The Risky Hack)

Hidden-city ticketing is the wildcard hack it can score you cheap flight tickets but it’s risky and needs careful use.

What it is: you book a flight where your real destination is the layover city not the final one. Example: a ticket from Delhi → Bengaluru → Chennai might be cheaper than a direct Delhi → Bengaluru flight. So you get off in Bengaluru (the layover) and skip the last stop. You just treat the final city as the “dummy” destination.

Why it works: Airlines price routes based on demand and competition. Sometimes adding that extra leg oddly lowers the total fare, so you end up paying less to reach the layover city.

The rules you MUST follow:

• Never check bags. If your luggage goes to the final destination, you’re stuck. Carry-on only. 
• Use this only on one-way bookings. If you have a return on the same airline, they could cancel the rest of your itinerary. 
• Frequent-flyer risk: airlines don’t like this. If they spot you doing it often, they can cancel tickets, revoke miles, or refuse future bookings. 
• It’s not technically illegal, but it violates many airlines’ T&Cs — so don’t be reckless.

When to use it:

• Short trips where checked luggage isn’t needed. 
• When the price gap is huge and the reward outweighs the risk. 
• It is a last-resort trick to get cheap flights when every other option is expensive.

Hack 8: Book Early Morning or Late-Night Flights

Flights that leave at early hours or late at night are usually cheaper because fewer people want them. If you are flexible picking an early time slot can seriously cut your fare. Most people prefer convenient times so unpopular time slots get lower prices. 

Hack 9: Mix & Match Airlines (One-Way Tickets)

Round-trip tickets sound convenient, but they’re not always the cheapest. Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets on different airlines can give you massive savings. This is a smart trick if you’re figuring out how to book cheap flights without sticking to just one carrier.

Round-trip tickets sound convenient but they are not always the cheapest. Instead of that sometimes, booking two one-way tickets on different airlines can give you massive savings. 

Example: You might find a Delhi → Mumbai ticket cheaper on IndiGo, but for your return, Vistara or AirAsia might have better deals. Put them together, and book.

Hack 10: Always Search for One Passenger First

Here is a trick airlines don’t tell you when you search for multiple tickets at once the system often increases the price That’s why families and groups end up paying way more even if cheaper seats are available. 

Instead of searching for four or five seats together start with just one passenger. You’ll usually see the lowest fare first. Once you know the cheapest base price, you can book tickets one by one (or in smaller groups) and grab as many of those cheaper seats as possible.

This works for both cheap domestic flights in India and cheap international flight tickets, and it’s especially useful during peak travel seasons when airlines hike fares as demand increases.

Hack 11: Use Points, Miles & Credit Card Rewards

Why pay full price when you can fly for almost free? Loyalty programs and credit card rewards are your golden ticket. Airlines and banks are constantly running offers where you earn miles or cashback on every booking.

For example:

• IndiGo 6E Rewards gives points for every flight and even daily spends.
• Air India Flying Returns lets you redeem miles for cheap domestic flights in India and international routes.
• Banks like HDFC, SBI, and Axis have travel credit cards that offer free lounge access + bonus miles you can redeem for cheap international flight tickets.

Hack 12: Subscribe to Alerts & Flash Sales

Airlines and travel apps love surprise sales but blink, and you’ll miss them. Signing up for fare alerts, newsletters, and app notifications is the easiest way to grab cheap and best flight tickets before they’re gone.

Why it works:

• Airlines often drop flash sales late at night or during mid-week.
• Many cheap flights booking apps send instant alerts when prices drop.
• Early subscribers usually get first access to promo codes and hidden deals.

Ready to Fly Smart & Save Big?

Stop overpaying for flights when the best deals are just a click away. From cheap domestic flights in India to cheap international flight tickets, Travanya helps you unlock fares you won’t find anywhere else.

Compare, book, and fly smarter today because the cheapest ticket could be yours right now.

Contact Us to grab the best cheap flight booking deals before prices shoot up!

FAQs

Q1. How to book cheap flight tickets in India?

A: To book cheap flight tickets in India, always compare fares on multiple travel sites, use a cheap flight tickets app, and book in advance (around 30–45 days before travel). Also, keep an eye on flash sales and festive discounts.

Q2. Where to find cheap flight tickets online?

A: You can find cheap flights on travel booking sites, official airline websites, and apps like Travanya. Subscribing to price alerts is also a great way to get notified whenever cheap domestic flights in India or international fares drop.

Q3. What is the best time to book cheap international flight tickets?

A: The best time to get cheap international flight tickets is usually 2–3 months in advance. Mid-week bookings (Tuesday or Wednesday) often have lower fares compared to weekends.

Q4. How can I get cheap business class flights?

A: To book cheap business class flights, use credit card rewards, airline miles, or wait for upgrade offers at check-in. Some airlines also run last-minute discounts on unsold premium seats.

Q5. Which is the best cheap flight booking app in India?

A: Travanya and similar platforms are among the best cheap flight booking apps in India, offering fare comparisons, cashback offers, and exclusive promo codes to help you save.

Q6. How to find cheap flight tickets during peak season?

A: If you want to know how to get cheap flights during holidays or festivals, book well in advance, search in incognito mode, and consider nearby airports. Flexibility in dates is the key to finding cheap and best flight tickets.

Q7. Do airlines offer last-minute cheap flights?

A: Yes, but it’s rare. While you might sometimes get cheap flights last-minute, it’s more reliable to book early and use alerts. Last-minute discounts are more common for cheap domestic flights in India than for international travel.