8 Must-Have Flight Apps That Will Save You Money

1. Google Flights

Google Flights is my go-to when booking flights within the US. It has everything from an “everywhere” to a flexible calendar option, and even allows you to find out which airline has the cheapest tickets by comparing prices right there for you. Gone are the days where you have to go to each individual airline’s website. Google Flights even brings you directly to the webpage so you can buy your ticket right when you find the best deal.

Tip: I noticed that it is good for use mostly in the U.S.; when I tried to use it in Europe or to book flights to Europe, it typically showed a higher price

Link HERE

Price: FREE

2. Skyscanner

Skyscanner saved my life (and my wallet) when I lived in Madrid. Some days I would just browse through Skyscanner and choose the “Everywhere” option and it would list the cheapest places to travel (and exactly how much) from the city I was in. Even better, Skyscanner has a “whole month” and “cheapest month” option that allows you to compare when the cheapest time to fly is. In addition, Skyscanner has a “calendar” and “chart” option that allows you to compare your flight, both on a monthly calendar view and a chart that has “bars” showing which days are the highest and lowest priced.

Tip: I typically use this app when booking flights in Europe or to Europe as it is definitely proven to be way cheaper than Google Flights.

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE

3. STA Travel

STA Travel is the world’s largest travel company for students, with many deals and promo codes for students. What is awesome about this app is that it puts it all together for you so you do not have to go through the trouble of looking for these deals and promo codes.

Tip: STA Travel is catered more to students and young people. They typically have a lot of deals beyond airline tickets! Recommended also for group travel. 

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE

4. Hopper

If you are a Type A planner like me, you will love Hopper. Ever want to score the cheapest tickets, but you do not have time to constantly be watching over fares? Hopper will do that for you. All you have to do is input your travel plans (city you are leaving from,  and arriving to —  and the dates) and Hopper will keep an eye on the ticket prices. Each time prices increase, Hopper will notify you, show you a calendar of the cheapest dates to buy flights, AND predicts when flight prices might increase or decrease. Lifesaver? I think yes. 

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE

5. Airfare Watchdog

Airfare Watchdog is what I like to use when I known in advance where I am traveling, or have a place in mind and am trying to determine when to buy tickets. It is somewhat similar to Hopper, but it watches specific fares for you for the route you input and sends you email notifications for when there are deals. In addition, when you get these “Fare Alert” emails, it not only shows you the fare amounts for the route you want to “watch”, it also shows you fares you might like and prices for domestic fares from your city to many other cities.

iPhone: HERE

Android: not available on android 

Price: FREE

6. Travel Pirates

Travel Pirates is a good app to use if you are not set on where you want to go and are flexible with when you want to leave. Travel Pirates essentially takes all the flight deals available and presents it in one neat app. Deals are constantly being added everyday, so there’s always a chance to find good flight deals. In addition, Travel Pirates also has deals for cruises, vacations, and hotels.

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE

7. Skiplagged

If there is an app that has “outsmarted” the airline game, this app is it. Skiplagged, like most flight apps, finds you all the cheapest fares, but unlike most apps, Skiplagged finds “hidden city” fares. So how exactly does this “hidden city” fare work?  A non-stop fare from Las Vegas to Boston. might be over $300 one-way, but a fare on the same airline from Las Vegas to Washington D.C. with a stop in Boston might be $150. So you buy the flight to DC and leave the plane in Boston.

Tip: Just make sure not to check in any luggage, otherwise your luggage will end up in your actual destination city

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE

8. Momondo

This Copenhagen-based flight search engine is another Skyscanner type app I like.  As Skyscanner does, it allows you to search for flights to various cities and provides you with prices in a calendar/chart-like display that compares a couple days before and a couple days after. Momondo also allows you the option of choosing what type of ticket you are looking for (economy, business, and first class) and allows you to compare those different prices right on the app.

iPhone: HERE

Android: HERE

Price: FREE