12 Ways to Save Money on Flights by Traveling During 'Shoulder Season'

Peak travel season means higher prices and jam-packed airports. But shoulder season — typically mid-April to May and mid-September to October — is that sweet spot when airfares drop, crowds thin out, and scoring deals on flights, car rentals, and hotels gets a whole lot easier.

“The weeks tucked between high-demand holidays and peak vacation months offer some of the best deals on airfare,” says Jesse Neugarten, founder of  Dollar Flight Club. “With fewer crowds and moderate weather, airlines often reduce fares to encourage bookings.”

According to Nerdwallet, flights are on average 57% cheaper in late August than they are at Christmas. Even trips to Disney World are roughly 33% less expensive in September compared to December, a popular time for snowbirds and families. Just don’t wait until the last minute to book: CheapAir’s 2024 Annual Airfare Study recommends securing tickets 21 to 74 days ahead for domestic flights, and 2 to 6 months in advance for international ones.

So whether you're planning to visit Greece in May or Hawaii in September, flying during shoulder season is one of the smartest ways to stretch your travel budget.

The festive period is one of the most expensive times to travel, especially the week leading up to a big holiday. However, according to travel site Going, if you’re open to traveling on the actual holiday itself, you can cut costs as airlines tend to lower prices on days when few people want to fly.

Tip: Use Google Flights to get specific with your travel dates and spot price dips. Turn on “Tracked Prices” to see historical trends and identify cheaper periods.

Planning a European summer vacation? Airlines often price new routes competitively to attract travelers. In 2025, American Airlines adds flights from Charlotte (CLT) to Athens (ATH), Delta launches Atlanta (ATL) to Naples (NAP), and JetBlue starts service from Boston (BOS) to Madrid (MAD).

Tip: Subscribe to airline blogs like Southwest Stories or Delta News Hub to stay ahead of new route announcements and limited-time promos.

If your trip involves multiple legs, book a major airline for the long-haul flight and then switch to a budget carrier for the final leg. It takes a little more work, but the savings can add up fast.

Tip: Some budget airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and even American occasionally offer $1 fares. Just watch for hidden fees like fuel surcharges and seat selection costs.

Plan carefully and turn a layover into a mini-vacation. Airlines like Emirates, Copa, Qatar, Turkish Airlines, and Japan Airlines offer free or low-cost stopovers in their hub cities — some even include free hotel stays or tourist perks.

Tip: Even if your airline doesn’t offer official stopovers, use the “multi-city” booking feature to build your own and save in the process.

Don’t just burn your frequent flyer miles — think big picture. Credit card points can cover everything from flights to car rentals and city tours. According to a 2025 Amex survey, 66% of travelers use points for splurge-worthy perks like lounge access or upgraded experiences they would not have otherwise booked. 

Tip: The Amex Platinum card ($695/year) offers enough perks, like $200 airline credit, $200 hotel credit, monthly Uber cash, and airport lounge access, that frequent travelers might find it more than worth it.

Start tracking fares early — ideally 2 to 3 months out — for the best shot at scoring deals. Sites like Going let you tailor alerts based on your home airport, while Hopper’s color-coded calendar and price freeze feature can save you around $50 per ticket.

Tip: Going’s Premium membership costs just $4.08/month and includes Mistake Fares, which might have you flying to Paris for under $230.

Did you know the Department of Transportation has a 24-hour rule that lets you cancel a flight for free within 24 hours of booking, so long as the flight arrives or departs in the US? So if you change your mind or find a cheaper flight within that time window, you’re in the clear. 

Tip: This rule only applies if the flight is booked at least 7 days in advance and directly with the airline.

Outside of the 24-hour window, it pays to keep an eye on prices. 

Some airlines like Alaska, United, and Frontier offer travel credits if your fare drops. It often depends on your ticket class, though, so booking directly with the airline or travel booking sites like Expedia, which has a Price Drop Protection policy, is a safer bet.  

Tip: Booking with a Capital One credit card through Capital One Travel automatically activates a 10-day price drop guarantee, up to $50 in travel credit.

Flight changes aren’t always bad news. Federal law mandates if your airline cancels or significantly alters your flight in terms of timing (delays of 3+ hours for domestic or 6+ for international), number of connections, or a lower class of service, federal law entitles you to a full cash refund — and possibly free meals or hotel stays if you're stuck overnight.

Tip: A minor delay (like 45 minutes) won’t get you a refund, but it might improve your shot at a seat upgrade if you ask nicely.

Weekday flights are nearly always cheaper than weekend ones. Sunday is the priciest day to fly, but also the best day to book, according to  Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report. Flying on a Thursday instead of a Friday or Sunday can save you up to 16%.

Tip: Depart on a Tuesday and return on a Saturday to save money while maximizing your trip length.

Flexibility pays off. Flying into secondary airports — like Burbank instead of LAX, or Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami — can slash your airfare. Some secondary airports are even closer to city centers. Case in point: Paris Orly (ORY) is closer to the center of Paris than Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and has easy Metro access.

Tip: Use the “nearby airports” option when booking to compare fares and travel times.

Places like Portugal, Greece, and Australia are more budget-friendly during their longer shoulder seasons — and often more enjoyable, thanks to milder weather and smaller crowds.

Tip: Southern Europe stays warm through October, making spring and early fall ideal times to visit.