The holidays are over and the New Year has started, so tell us— how was Christmas travel for you? Did you have an easy time finding an affordable flight, or was it a frustrating struggle? What kind of travel do you wish you could do in 2017, if only you could afford it? If you’re anything like us, the biggest barrier to checking places off our bucket lists and feeding our wanderlust is the price of flights, which only seem to get more ridiculous every year. Finding the cheapest flights possible has turned into a game for us, and we are playing to win— and we want you on our team! Taking inspiration from this guide from Ytravel, here are some smart, easy ways to find the most affordable flights out there, whether you’re flying to Grandma’s house or Bermuda.

1. Start searching early— and buy that affordable ticket when you see it.
   We’ve all done that thing where we see a flight that’s priced OK but decide to wait and see if it drops any lower— only to have it increase exponentially beyond that point as we watch in horror! Don’t get trapped in this pattern, as tempting as it may be. Start your search early, and start with a number in mind. When a flight drops below your personal maximum, snatch it up and avoid regret. If you’re really addicted to seeing how low the prices can get if you just hold out, keep these guidelines in mind: domestic flights typically reach their lowest prices seven weeks in advance, while international flights do so at the 11 to 12 week mark.
2. Keep your travel dates flexible.
   Of course, if you’re flying for Christmas, Dad’s birthday, or a business conference, you’re limited a bit, but even a little wiggle room of a day or two on either side of the trip gives you access to a wider range of prices and options. If you’re flying for fun and for vacation, know that being flexible by WEEKS can open up a whole world of possibilities, especially if you’re willing to go during your destination’s non-peak season.
3. Pick the right time.
   While you’re perusing those flexible dates, remember that some flight times are MUCH more affordable than others. Depart on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday for the lowest prices, and avoid flights on Fridays and Sundays. Naturally, early-morning and red-eye flights are also less popular and, subsequently, less pricey, so consider those times that make you groan, nap on the plane, and save some money!
4. Include a long layover.
   You pay for convenience, and just like a midday flight on a Friday is going to be far more expensive than a Tuesday red-eye, direct flights are always pricier than ones with layovers, especially long ones. If you have the flexibility, expand your search parameters to include a longer break between flight legs. You can get some work done or even, if it’s long enough, explore an unconventional flight hub town!
5. Make friends with multiple airports.
   Depending on where you live, there’s a possibility that there’s actually more airports to choose from than the one everybody assumes. If you’re willing to go a little further to get to the airport, you can save yourself a ton of money. For example, flyers out of Boston can often find cheaper flights by departing from Manchester, New Hampshire or Rhode Island, while travelers in southern California can consider LA/Ontario International, John Wayne Airport, or Long Beach in addition to LAX. Especially if you’re flying domestically, don’t overlook your smaller, local airports in favor of the big metropolitan hubs!
6. Search on the best flight sites.
   So now that you know WHAT to look for, the question becomes WHERE to find these deals. If you like the flight comparison engines, we love using Kayak and Google Flights. Ytravel also recommends Skyscanner, Hipmunk, and Momondo.
7. Make those search engines work for YOU, by hiding your history . . .
   Aggregate flight search flights might find the best flights, but depending on your experience, they can also be intimidating, confusing, and a little bit unfair. Make them do what YOU need them to do with some tricks. Delete your Internet browser’s cookies and history – or search on an incognito tab – so the flight search sites don’t store your data and steer you toward higher prices with each return search.
8. . . . and using them to ONLY search, not book.
   Just because you found a flight on Kayak or Hipmunk doesn’t mean you have to buy it there! Once you find a great deal on your favorite airline, ditch the search engine and book through the airline’s site directly to avoid fees or find even cheaper flights.
9. Remember that not all airlines appear on all flight search sites.
   Flight search sites are helpful, but they’re not magical, and they have their own business arrangements with airlines. To make sure you’re getting the full range of options, visit the website for the airport you’ll be flying into and look at their list of airlines. If you see some on the list that aren’t coming up in your searches, visit those airlines’ own websites to comparison shop with your search results. Oftentimes, since they’re less popular and/or in fewer relationships with search sites, they’ll have more competitive pricing.
10. Develop a relationship with your favorite airline.
    Did you find a great, under-the-radar airline with that last tip? Do you have a particular airline you just love flying? Follow through on that love! Most airlines have loyalty programs that reward you with points or miles you can eventually turn in for flights, and while it may take some time to accrue enough, that eventual reward flight will be SO much fun. (Look for programs that only require a website visit or an email check-in every once in a while to keep your account active, rather than those that let your points expire. JetBlue and Southwest offer easy-to-use ones.) If you’re a frequent flyer, an airline credit card could be rewarding— as long as you pay it off every month, of course! If you’re an infrequent flyer, you can still sign up for airline newsletters or follow them on social media to get the heads-up on flash deals and discounts.
11. Mix and match your airlines.
    Just because you flew TO your destination on one airline doesn’t mean you have to fly home on the same one! I’ve had good luck using two different airlines on vacation. Plus, if you’re a member of multiple rewards programs, you can accumulate and use points or miles more easily! If tracking those points sounds like too much work, Ytravel recommends Awardwallet to do it for you.
12. Book the roundtrip— even if you’re traveling one way.
    While we love mixing-and-matching one way trips, sometimes it makes more sense to book the round-trip fare— and sometimes it’s cheaper! Especially when you take fees into consideration, roundtrip tickets are often, crazily enough, less expensive than a one-leg. Even if you’re making a one-way trip, consider booking both ways and forfeiting the return trip if the numbers make sense.
13. Expand your horizons.
    The most fun way to save money on expensive destinations? Pick an unexpected cheaper one. Sure, if you’re traveling on business or visiting relatives, your trip is set, but if you’re on vacation or just traveling for fun, think outside the box and follow adventure, not just what everybody else does. Always wanted to experience European flair or wander the streets of Paris? Try the nearer-and-cheaper Montreal instead. Saving your pennies for the theme parks in Orlando? Consider Tennessee’s Dollywood or your local resorts. You’ll have stories nobody else will have, AND more money from flying to less popular and less expensive destinations.
14. Ask for help.
    It’s easy to forget in our digital, DIY age, but travel agents still exist— and they know these tips like the back of their hand. Plus, they have “ins” and connections that can save you money, and are well worth their very affordable service fees. Let somebody else do the planning for the best price and peace of mind.

Want more tips where these came from? Check out Ytravel’s guide for more tricks and some international-specific ideas. How do YOU save money when searching for flights? What’s the most effective trick you’ve tried? Have you done any of the things on this list before?