How to Set Flight Alerts and Find the Lowest Airfare Deals

New Delhi : Planning a trip? Well, the second step is booking the flight (the first being choosing your destination, of course!). Booking a flight can be one of the most stressful parts of a trip, juggling between sites, browsing through unfamiliar platforms for deals too good to be true, or dealing with sudden price jumps every hour. That’s a head-scratcher, right?  

Well, we’ve got some pretty easy solutions for you. Planning and flight alerts all the way! It’s essential to plan your trip in a way that avoids peak timing.

For example, a Delhi to Goa ticket might cost ₹3,000 in the morning but jump to ₹6,000 by evening, while an international route like Mumbai to Dubai can rise from ₹14,000 to ₹25,000 around festive seasons.

However, it’s impossible to stare at your screen for hours waiting for the price to fall. This is where flight alerts come in to make your trip planning easier. 

Why are Flight Alerts Important?

High demand, especially during festivals, long weekends, and school holidays, results in significant fare hikes. For example, flight prices from Bengaluru to Mumbai can double during Diwali week, while ticket prices from Delhi to Dubai are scarily high during Christmas and New Year.

Flight alerts help you stay ahead of these changes, notifying you as soon as the price drops. These platforms track fluctuations and provide instant notifications as fares drop, helping you save a lot on your travel. With this, you can spend more on hotels, activities, and shopping.

Best Platforms to Set Flight Alerts

1. Google Flights

Google Flights is a go-to platform for travelers for its smooth interface and accuracy. All you need to do is enter your route and travel dates, and simply turn on the “Track Prices” option. Google Flights will monitor fares and send email alerts whenever prices change. The platform also has a “Date Grid” for an overview of the approximate flight prices for that day. Through this tool, you can get an idea of when you can travel cheaply and plan accordingly.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to London from Delhi, Google Flights can show that flying on a Tuesday may be cheaper than flying on Friday. It may also suggest a time slot that will be cheaper for booking.

2. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is one of the most popular platforms for scanning flight prices in advance and setting flight alerts. Once you search for flights, you can click “Get Price Alerts” to receive updates. Skyscanner also offers a “Search Everywhere” option, allowing you to find the most affordable destinations from your city.

For example, if you live in Mumbai and want to travel abroad, Skyscanner might show that flights to Singapore are cheaper than to Bangkok. This will help you reconsider your travel destinations and plan for a budget-friendly trip.

3. Kayak

Kayak is perfect for travelers planning complex itineraries or multi-city trips. Once you enter your journey details, you can opt for price tracking to get alerts via email or app notifications. Kayak also predicts whether fares are likely to rise or fall, which is particularly useful for long flights, such as those from Bengaluru to New York.

Kayak also has a “Save when you compare” section where you can check flight tickets to the same destination on different booking sites and check which offers better pricing. With over 1 million ratings, Kayak is a great place to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel combos.

4. Hopper

Hopper is an app-based platform, gradually gaining popularity among Indian travelers. It helps you set flight alerts and also predicts whether prices will rise or fall for that particular travel destination. Hopper advises whether to “Book Now” or “Wait,” which is particularly helpful for international flights. With all these unique tools, Hopper easily helps you plan trips strategically. 

You can also find coupon codes on Hopper for hotel bookings at your chosen destination. The platform is currently offering 15% off hotels in Washington, DC, and over 35% off hotel bookings in Madeira.

5. Airline Websites and OTAs

Many airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Etihad Airways, and Lufthansa, offer their own fare alert systems when you sign up on their websites. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, EaseMyTrip, and Cleartrip also provide alerts, with app-exclusive discounts or cashback offers.

Many airlines and OTAs partner with coupon platforms for additional discounts. If you plan to book an international flight with Etihad Airways, you can explore exclusive deals through Etihad coupons.

Final Thoughts

It is best to remain flexible with your travel plans when using flight alerts. Small changes in departure dates or airports can help you save more. By monitoring fares automatically, you can book at the right time, whether it’s for a quick domestic getaway to Goa or an international vacation to Europe. Using flight alerts alongside flexible travel plans, strategic booking windows, and discount coupons ensures you always get the best deal.