Fare alerts are one of the most powerful tools in a budget traveler's arsenal, yet most people set them up wrong or ignore them when they matter most. Here's how to use them like a pro.
Understanding How Fare Alerts Work
Fare alert services continuously monitor flight prices and notify you when they drop below a threshold or change significantly. Some track specific routes you define; others curate deals from your home airport to destinations worldwide.
The key insight: fare alerts are proactive. Instead of checking prices repeatedly (and likely booking at a random point in the price cycle), you wait for the price to come to you.
Best Fare Alert Services
Different services excel at different things:
- Google Flights: Best for tracking specific routes. Set up tracking for your exact dates and route, and Google emails you when prices change. Free and reliable.
- Hopper: Predicts whether prices will rise or fall. Good for deciding when to buy, though predictions aren't always accurate.
- Scott's Cheap Flights / Going: Curated deals from your departure airports. Best for flexible travelers who can jump on unexpected deals.
- Skyscanner: Good for whole-month searches and flexible dates. Their alerts catch price drops across date ranges.
Setting Up Alerts Strategically
Don't just set one alert for your exact dates. Create multiple alerts:
- Your preferred dates
- A few days before and after (flexibility is valuable)
- Nearby alternate airports
- Different routings if available (connecting vs. direct)
This multiplies your chances of catching a deal. A flight from a nearby airport on slightly different dates might be hundreds less than your original search.
When Alerts Arrive: Act Fast
Here's where most people fail. A great fare alert arrives, and they think "I'll book it tonight" or "let me check with my travel partner first." By then, it's often gone.
Mistake fares and flash sales can disappear within hours or even minutes. The best deals have limited inventory. When you get an alert for a genuinely good price:
- Book immediately if it's within your budget
- Understand the cancellation policy (many airlines offer 24-hour free cancellation)
- Sort out details later—hold the fare first
Know Your Target Price
Before setting alerts, research what a "good" price actually looks like for your route. Check historical data on Google Flights (click the price graph) or use Hopper's price analysis.
Knowing that LAX to Tokyo typically ranges from $600-$1200 means you'll recognize a $450 fare as exceptional and act on it immediately.
Avoid Alert Fatigue
Too many alerts lead to ignoring them all. Be selective:
- Only track routes you're genuinely ready to book
- Set price thresholds that filter out minor fluctuations
- Review and clean up old alerts regularly
The 24-Hour Rule
In the US, airlines must allow free cancellation within 24 hours of booking (for flights at least 7 days out). This is your safety net. See a great fare? Book it, then take 24 hours to confirm your plans. If something changes, cancel for free.
This removes the pressure of instant decision-making while still securing the deal.