Searching for flights with flexible dates is simple: use booking platforms’ built-in tools to view fares across a range of days, compare prices, and adjust your travel window to find the best deals. Here’s how to do it effectively.
How to Search for Flights with Flexible Dates on Trip.com
It's very simple to search for flexible flight dates on Trip.com. This platform offers user-friendly tools to help you find the best ticket prices within a range of dates. You can easily access flexible date options, browse monthly prices, and use filters to narrow down the result range.
- Enter the flight search page of Trip.com and input your departure city. For the destination, you can specify a city or use the relevant functions to explore various options.
- Instead of choosing specific departure and return dates, click on the date field and select the "Flexible Date" option. Then you can choose a range, such as "±3 days" or "the entire month", depending on how flexible your plan is.
- Trip.com will display a calendar with prices in different colors, making it easy for you to find the cheapest days. Green indicates a lower ticket price, while red indicates a higher one.
- Use the filter on the left to optimize your search. You can filter by flight time, number of stops, airline and cabin class to find the flight that suits your preferences.
- Once you find a suitable ticket price, you can set a price reminder by clicking the "Price Reminder" button. In this way, if the price within the flexible date range you have chosen changes, you will receive a notification.
How to Search for Flights with Flexible Dates on Airline Websites
It is also feasible to search for flights with flexible dates on the airline's website. Most airlines offer search options within a date range, allowing you to easily compare ticket prices for different dates.
- Visit the official website of your favorite airline. Navigate to the air ticket reservation area.
- Enter your departure and destination cities. When it comes to date fields, look for options like "Flexible Date" or "Date Range".
- Choose the range of departure and return dates that you are willing to consider. Some airlines allow you to choose a specific number of days before or after your ideal date, while others permit you to choose an entire month.
- Then, the airline's website will display to you a list of flights with their respective fares for each date within the selected range. You can scroll to find the cheapest or most convenient option.
- Many airline websites also offer the function of filtering results by factors such as flight time, number of stops and cabin class to further customize your search.
7 Tips for Flexible Date Searches
To make the most of the flexible date search and find the best air tickets, here are 7 useful suggestions:
- Be open to nearby airports: Check that flights departing from or flying to nearby airports usually get lower fares. For instance, if you are departing from a big city, see if you can save money by taking off from a nearby smaller airport.
- Consider mid-week flights: Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are usually cheaper than those on weekends Adjusting your travel time to midweek can save you a lot of money.
- Avoid peak seasons: If possible, plan trips outside of peak tourist seasons, such as school holidays or major festivals. During this period, ticket prices tend to be much higher.
- Book in advance, but not too early: Generally speaking, booking domestic flights 2 to 3 months in advance and international flights 3 to 6 months in advance can help you get a good deal. However, booking too early (more than six months) may not be beneficial as prices may fluctuate.
- Use price comparison tools: While keeping an eye on a specific platform, it's also a good idea to use a price comparison tool to check the ticket prices of multiple websites. This can ensure that you get the best price.
- Check for last-minute deals: If your plan is very flexible, pay attention to last-minute deals. Airlines usually lower ticket prices a few days before departure to fill the empty seats.
- Sign up for newsletters: Subscribe to newsletters from airlines and travel platforms. They often send exclusive offers and promotions for flexible date flights to their subscribers.
By following these steps and tips, you can effectively search for flights with flexible dates on Trip.com and airline websites, and increase your chances of finding reasonably priced and convenient flights for your trip.
FAQs about How to Search for Flights with Flexible Dates
Can I book a multi city trip with flexible dates?
Yes, many travel platforms like Trip.com and Kayak allow you to search for multi - city trips with flexible dates. You can specify a range of dates for each leg of your journey. This is great for travelers planning a complex itinerary, such as visiting multiple cities in a country. For instance, if you're traveling from New York to London, then to Paris, and back to New York, you can set flexible date ranges for each of these three flight segments to find the most cost - effective combination.How far in advance should I search for flexible date flights?
For domestic flights, it's advisable to start searching 1 - 3 months in advance. For international flights, the sweet spot is usually 3 - 6 months before your intended travel. However, if you're looking for last - minute deals, keep an eye on fare alerts as airlines sometimes offer discounted rates a few days before departure to fill empty seats.Are there specific days of the week that are better for booking flexible date flights?
Data from various sources shows mixed results. Some studies suggest that booking on Tuesdays can yield lower fares as airlines often adjust their prices after the weekend rush. However, Expedia's 2025 air hacks report revealed that booking on a Sunday can save travelers up to six percent on domestic flights and 17 percent on international flights compared to booking on a Monday or Friday. Additionally, flying mid - week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays) is often cheaper than flying on weekends due to lower demand from business travelers.Do flexible date flights have different baggage allowances?
Baggage allowances are determined by the airline and fare class, not the flexibility of the date. However, some budget airlines may offer different baggage options depending on the fare you choose. Always check the airline's baggage policy when booking, especially if you plan to carry a lot of luggage. For example, a basic economy fare on a budget airline might have a smaller carry - on allowance compared to a more expensive flexible fare on a full - service carrier.