With the right platforms and a few strategies combining discounts, cashback, and miles, you can significantly cut the cost of flights and accommodation—especially if your travel dates are flexible.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- The best platforms to find cheap flights and hotels
- Sites and clubs focused on special discounts
- How to combine cashback, coupons, and miles on the same trip
- The best times of the year to travel for less
- A final checklist to avoid losing money on fees and small details
Top Platforms to Save on Flights
In practice, no one uses just one site. The trick is to compare several search engines to find the best deal.
Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak
- Google Flights – Great for viewing price calendars, testing flexible dates, and setting price alerts.
- Skyscanner – One of the most-used flight aggregators globally. It compares hundreds of airlines and agencies and features many low-cost options, especially for regional routes.
- Momondo – Known for finding aggressive fares, including creative connections, by comparing prices across multiple sites and airlines.
- Kayak – Strong on flexible date searches (whole month, weekends) and price alerts.
How to use them in practice:
- Set an approximate travel period (e.g., “second half of May”).
- Check Google Flights for the cheapest days.
- Search the same route on Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak.
- Compare not just price but also:
- layover duration
- departure/arrival airports
- baggage policies
- layover duration
Tip: Always check if the final price includes baggage, especially with low-cost carriers.
Best Platforms to Save on Accommodation
Some sites dominate the hotel and apartment booking market in many destinations.
Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and Trivago
- Booking.com – One of the most well-known hotel platforms, offering a vast range of hotels, inns, and apartments, plus many filters for reviews, location, and cancellation policy.
- Airbnb – Popular for those who prefer apartments or private rooms, often with a kitchen, which can help save on food.
- Expedia / Hotels.com – Great for bundling flights + hotels and earning points in their loyalty programs.
- Trivago – A hotel comparison site that pulls prices from various platforms (Booking, Expedia, direct hotel sites) and shows the cheapest option.
How to use them in practice:
- Use Booking or Airbnb maps to find accommodation in well-connected areas.
- Compare the same hotel on Trivago—it may be cheaper elsewhere.
- Prioritize places with high ratings (above 8.0) and many reviews.
Always check:
- if breakfast is included
- cleaning fees (especially on Airbnb)
- local lodging tax (city tax or similar fees)
Special Discount Platforms and Deal Clubs
Beyond traditional search engines, you can go further using sites focused on discounts and cashback.
Travel Cashback Sites
In several countries, there are cashback platforms partnered with travel-related services, including:
- hotel booking sites
- online travel agencies
- car rental companies
- travel insurance providers
How they work:
- You create a free account on the cashback site.
- Search for, say, “Booking.com” or “Expedia” within the platform.
- Click to be redirected to the official site.
- Book your trip as usual.
- Once confirmed, the cashback site returns a percentage of your spending as cash or credit.
Many travelers use this step as an “extra layer” of savings—rather than going directly to the travel site, they go through the cashback platform to activate their money-back reward.
Deal Clubs and Premium Hotel Discounts
There are also travel clubs focused on more upscale hotels and packages, offering substantial discounts on selected stays. Typically:
- You sign up for free
- Offers are available only to members
- Discounts are more common at 4- and 5-star hotels
- Deals are time-limited (flash sales)
If you’re looking to upgrade your stay while paying less, it’s worth watching these club offers.
How to Combine Cashback, Discounts, and Miles in One Trip
The real savings happen when you stack strategies. Instead of relying on a single discount, combine several.
1. Start with miles
- Check your mileage balances from airlines and credit cards.
- See if it’s better to use miles instead of paying in cash.
- If you don’t have enough miles for the entire trip, consider using them for one leg or for internal flights.
2. Use comparison tools to find the best cash prices
Even if using miles, it’s worth comparing on Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak to check whether fees on award tickets are worth it.
If paying in cash:
- Compare prices across different platforms
- Adjust dates (a 2-3 day flexibility can make a big difference)
- Consider nearby airports if it makes sense
3. Add cashback and coupons for accommodation
Once you’ve decided on destination and type of lodging (hotel, hostel, apartment), it’s time to book:
- Go to a cashback site, find the travel partner (Booking, Hotels.com, Expedia, etc.), then click through to book.
- This lets you earn money back.
- If you have a discount coupon, apply it at checkout. In many cases, coupons and cashback stack.
4. Use your credit card rewards
An extra layer:
- Pay with a card that earns miles or points—as long as it doesn’t lead to debt.
Stack it all:
- flight miles
- accommodation cashback
- credit card points—all in one trip.
Over time, these add up to new flights, hotel discounts, or even bill credits.
When Is It Cheaper to Travel?
Prices vary widely throughout the year, but some general patterns apply—especially in destinations with clear seasons.
High season (most expensive)
- Summer: good weather, many tourists, busy cities, higher prices
- Holiday periods: Christmas, New Year, long weekends bring higher demand
- Major events: festivals, big business fairs, and key local dates drive prices up
Shoulder season (balanced)
- Spring and fall months (outside major holidays) usually offer pleasant weather and better deals
- Tourist spots are less crowded, making for a better overall experience
Low season (more deals)
- Winter months or low-traffic periods often have the best flight and hotel promotions
- In many places, museums, cultural sites, and restaurants remain open—making the trip worthwhile
Beyond seasonality, consider:
- Midweek flights (Tuesdays, Wednesdays) are often cheaper than weekends
- Less popular flight times (early morning, late night) usually cost less
Final Checklist Before Booking
Before clicking “confirm,” run through this quick checklist:
Dates and Airports
- Did you double-check that the airports match your travel plans?
- Do arrival and departure times align with hotel check-in/out?
Baggage
- Does the fare include checked luggage or just carry-on?
- How much does it cost to add bags later if needed?
Accommodation Location
- Did you check the map to see if the hotel/apartment is near public transport?
- Is it in a safe area with good local amenities?
Reviews
- Is the rating at least 8.0 (on Booking/Expedia/etc.)?
- Did you read some recent (especially negative) reviews?
Cancellation Policy
- Is the reservation refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable?
- What’s the latest you can cancel for free?
Cashback and Coupons
- Did you go through a cashback site before booking?
- Did you check for active discount codes?
Documents
- Is your passport valid for the whole trip, with a buffer?
- Did you check visa, travel insurance, or any required documents for your destination?
There’s no single “best” site, but using Google Flights to see calendar prices and comparing results on Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak gives you a solid overview.
Use at least two or three. Each one has different partnerships with airlines and agencies, so one might show fares that others don’t.
Booking.com is one of the most popular platforms and offers a wide variety, but it’s still worth checking Trivago and exploring Airbnb depending on your travel style.
It’s a platform where you access travel services (flights, hotels, etc.) and get a portion of your spending back as cash or credit. Signing up is usually free.
If you like staying in premium hotels and have flexible dates, these clubs can be very worthwhile due to strong discounts on selected accommodations.
Yes. You can redeem miles for flights, book your hotel through a cashback platform, and still earn credit card points when paying.
It varies, but many travelers aim for 2–4 months in advance during off-peak seasons. For high-demand dates, it’s better to book even earlier.
Usually, yes. Off-peak months tend to have more flight and hotel deals. Just remember that the weather might be more extreme—so it’s a tradeoff between savings and experience.
Conclusion: Saving Money Is About Strategy, Not Luck
Scoring good travel deals isn’t about luck—it’s about having a method.
The key is to plan ahead, be flexible with dates when possible, and always do your homework before booking: compare prices, read reviews, check cancellation policies, and make sure all discounts and cashback opportunities are in place.
With this guide in hand, you’re set to plan your next trips spending less and getting more value out of every cent.
