whenever you start to plan your trip and start looking for flights, be open & flexible to different OPTIONS.
maybe you have a specific place in mind, but search for multiple airports around that city.
maybe you have specific dates in mind, but search for a few days before & after your fly-in and fly-out dates.
ex. you want to fly into JFK on Christmas eve but in your search, you find out Newark has a flight on Christmas that’s $100 cheaper. It’s not exactly what you had in mind, but if it works with your ultimate goal for your trip, then why not save some money?
I always like to start planning trips and start searching at least 6 months ahead keeping my options open so I can get a general idea of costs. 3 months out, I start to keep an eye almost daily for best deals. 3-2 months out is when you should start booking your flights, lodging, rentals, etc... IDEALLY. Yes, there are those last minute deals, but if you’re like me, I’d rather have peace of mind knowing that everything is booked and I’m all set, rather than scramble at the last minute trying to find a good deal for what I want. I would much rather use the upcoming months anticipating and getting excited for the adventures to come than stressing. But that’s just me.
i like to use JetRadar for flights and other bookings. Kayak is good, and the Hopper app.