This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure. Most travelers follow a similar script when planning any trip: Set the dates, pick a spot, book a hotel, book a flight, and go.

Youre doing it wrong.

While it might make most sense, its a recipe to pay too much for flights almost every single time. But four simple words could help you significantly cut the cost of airfare every time you fly. And no, its not by clearing your cookies or booking flights on a Tuesday. This is even bigger than that.

We call it The Flight First Rule. And its exactly what it sounds like.

Instead of deciding on the dates of your trip before booking your flights, flip that familiar script on its head and start by searching for flights, letting the price guide you to the cheapest dates possible. Its all about being as flexible as you can be in order to ave on flights whether thats by traveling a month later, on a different week, or just by departing on a Tuesday instead of a Monday.

You might be shocked at how much you can save just by departing a day earlier or later than you initially planned or by traveling during cheaper seasons, you could save even more.

Big Savings in Action First things first: You should be using Google Flights to search for airfare. The web giants airfare search engine is powerful and versatile, and theres no better way to hone in on the cheapest dates for your flights.

Thats because Google Flights lets you scroll through months worth of flights, filtering based on your needs for baggage, avoiding (some) basic economy fares, and more. With Googles handy calendar view, its easy to visualize the cheapest days to travel on a given flight: they typically show up in bright green.

Lets say you live in Minneapolis and want to head out to Chicago later this year. If you decide on a week in late August departing on a Monday, youll pay a heavy price for that nonstop flight. Dont pay $300 or more for a quick domestic flight like this.

If your schedule is flexible or you havent decided on when to go yet check the calendar on Google Flights. You could go for a week in September instead and save almost $200 per ticket!

But it doesnt require a massive schedule change to save money. Sometimes, altering your trip by just a day or two can result in huge savings. In this case, moving the trip by just a day from that original $338 flight, departing and returning on a Tuesday (instead of a Monday), brings the price down to just $184 roundtrip. Thats nearly half the cost of the flights one day earlier.

By putting The Flight First Rule in action, you saved at least $154 on your flight. Those savings add up fast, especially if youre booking flights for two or an entire family. Once youve booked your flights, thats more money for a hotel, Airbnb, a nice restaurant, or whatever youve got in store. And if youre planning a big international trip, the savings can be even more substantial.

This is just one example we could go on with dozens and dozens of flights. But it clearly shows just how much you can cut your costs when starting your travel planning by searching for flights and not by setting your schedule in stone first. 

Dont worry about finding the right hotel or Airbnb until after youve got your flights booked. Or find your cheap flight first, research your lodging options around those dates, then book both at the same time.

Of course, this example wont work for everyone. Vacation time is limited. Families, teachers, and everyday workers structure their trips around specific dates when school or work is out.

But whether your schedule is wide-open or more constrained, whether you can travel at any time or only shift your trip by a day or two, the savings by using the Flight First Rule are there. And they can be massive.

Cant be flexible? Are travel dates set in stone? Set a Google Flights Price Alert to get notified when the price of the flights you need drops!

The Principles of Cheap Flights Follow the Flight First Rule, and youre on the right track to saving on flights. And its always worth poking around on Google Flights, day by day, to see how much you can save on a trip youve got in mind.

But there are a few basics behind how airlines set pricing that can help guide you in the right direction:

Avoid the peak summer, from roughly June 20 through Aug. 20, as thats when travel demand, and therefore airfare, is at its highest. By traveling in the shoulder seasons just before and after that span you can often save a lot. That old saying youve heard about scoring the cheapest flight by booking on a Tuesday? Yeah, thats not true. Read up on the best day to book flights its not what you think. But there are some cheapest days to fly. Youll often find the best deals by departing and returning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.  See a great deal but not sure you can make it work? Book the flight now, and figure out the rest later thanks to the 24-hour rule, a federal law requiring a full refund for any flight from, to, or within the U.S. if you cancel within 24 hours of booking. That should give you enough time to check in with your travel buddy or confirm you can take time away from work. Dont book at the last minute! The days of cheap airfare weeks or days before departure are long gone. Your best bet is to book at least 30 to 45 days before departure to get the best deal and even earlier for a big international flight. Read our master guide on how to find cheap flights!

You can take things a step further with this concept and save even more by being open to any destination if youre willing to go wherever a cheap flight takes you. Fire up Google Flights Explore to search for a one-week trip in the next six months and youll be able to narrow in on a destination and set of dates with the cheapest airfare.

Or let us do the work for you. You can sign up for free to get alerts for cheap flights sent straight to your inbox.

Want to take things to the next level and get 10x more alerts about good deals flying from your preferred airports? Upgrade to Thrifty Traveler Premium well send all the best (and cheapest) domestic and international flights straight to you immediately.

Bottom Line Finding a good deal on airfare isnt rocket science. It all comes down to using the right tools and being flexible.

But the first and most important step that every traveler can employ is also the easiest: The Flight First Rule. Start your travel planning by searching for flights first thats all it takes.

If youre open to changing plans even slightly, you could save a bundle.