Booking travel can be tricky, but insiders know the hacks that avoid delays and snag the best prices.
That comes in handy as flight prices have jumped year over year. On May 11, average domestic airfare prices for round-trip economy seats were $383, a 23.2% increase from last year, according to data from the travel search engine Kayak. The average international flight cost $1,097, a 17.8% jump.
CNBC Select interviewed three travel experts to learn how you can save while prices are high. Here's their advice on booking affordable travel this year.
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Expert flight hacks to save
- Book as soon as possible
- If you can't book now, use price tracking
- Keep tabs even after you've booked
- Check both one-way and round-trip flights
- Be as flexible as possible with your travel plans
- If you have points or miles, use them now
- Pack light or know workarounds
- Get reimbursed by your credit card for delays and cancellations
- Buy travel insurance
Book as soon as possible
Travel experts regularly touted the "Goldilocks window," or a timeframe when cheap fares are most likely to pop up. That time frame was about three to seven months in advance for domestic flights, and four to 10 months for international flights, outside of peak travel periods.
Now, however, that rule is out the window. "If oil prices continue to rise, air fares are going to continue to rise, and that means waiting for a specific booking window may not help you," said Julian Kheel, CEO and founder of award travel search tool Points Path.
Jesse Neugarten, CEO and founder of travel deals platform Dollar Flight Club, echoed Kheel. "People need to book trips now versus wait, because it's probably just going to get more expensive," he said.
If you can't book now, use price tracking
If you're not able to book or aren't ready yet, start tracking price trends. You can get alerts when the price of a prospective flight fluctuates through platforms like Google Flights, Hopper and Points Path.
You can also use credit card tools to help you with price tracking: Capital One's travel portal shows you whether it's a good time to book using price prediction technology. Plus, if the cost of the flight drops after you book it, you're automatically refunded the difference. You must have a Capital One card to gain access to the portal. CNBC Select likes the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Keep tabs even after you've booked
Booking your flight is only the first step, Kheel said. Travelers should keep looking for better deals.
"The biggest mistake that travelers are making right now is assuming that once they book their flight, their job is done," he added. "Almost all airfares today, except for basic economy, can be canceled or changed without paying a penalty."
To find cheaper airfare, keep checking the price alerts you initially set up.
"If you find a better price, cancel your previously booked flight and get the lower price with a rebooking," Kheel said.
Check both one-way and round-trip flights
Snagging a one-way flight to your destination with one airline and a second one-way flight with another carrier back home is an established booking hack.
"There are times where one airline might have the cheapest outbound flight and a different airline might have the cheapest return flight," Scott Keyes, founder of flight deal subscription service Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), told CNBC Select in 2023.
This year, however, some airlines have reversed course. "Some airlines, such as American, have now reverted to offering cheaper fares when you book round-trip versus one-way at a time," he said. "You just need to look at everything to find the best deal."
Be as flexible as possible with your travel plans
Having flexibility around your destination and airport can help you save.
"If you are going, say, from New York to London, you could look at New York to Paris or Amsterdam, and it could be half the price," Neugarten said. Things like the demand, carrier availability and even flight cancellation trends could make one city or airport cheaper than another.
Additionally, your savings could easily offset the cost of the alternative transportation. "Take a train or even a really cheap domestic flight within Europe, and you could save $500 or $600 relatively quickly," Neugarten added.
If you have points or miles, use them now
Having points or miles can serve as a secondary currency when booking flights. Additionally, they can be especially valuable when cash fares are high.
"Right now, I'm not booking cash fares. I'm using my points," Neugarten said. "Cash fares are really, really inflated, but if you have a lot of miles and points and you know how to use them, those are not really inflated. The costs are about the same as they were a year ago."
That's because award rates don't rise as fast as cash prices. And, being savvy with your points can also offset higher prices. Some airlines still have transfer bonuses from card portals, which can increase the value of your points.
When shopping for flights, be sure to compare the cost in miles or points and cash.
Pack light or know workarounds
Many airlines are raising checked baggage fees to account for higher jet fuel costs — Delta and Southwest both increased prices by $10 in April.
While you could save by only using a carry-on, that's not always possible on longer flights. Kheel suggests that travelers familiarize themselves with their airlines' baggage guarantees, as they could help them save.
"Delta actually offers you bonus miles if your bag shows up more than 20 minutes after your plane has parked at the gates," he said. "You can file a claim and get those files instantly, even while you're standing waiting at the baggage claim."
To do this, you'll need to submit your SkyMiles number and flight confirmation on Delta's website within two hours of the flight's completion.
You can also save on bag fees with several co-branded airline credit cards. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card includes free first checked bags for you and up to eight people traveling on your reservation. Similarly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers a free first checked bag on Southwest flights for the cardholder and up to eight people on the same reservation.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has the right mix of benefits if you occasionally fly with Delta, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an affordable card that makes sense for the occasional Southwest traveler.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get reimbursed by your credit card for delays and cancellations
There has been no shortage of travel delays this year amid conflicts abroad, TSA disruptions and weather events. While you can't control those events, you can try to get reimbursed.
Your first step should be to get in touch with the airline: Depending on its policies, you might be reimbursed for your flight.
If that fails, check if a credit card you already have offers trip delay or trip interruption insurance.
Some cards that offer these perks include the American Express Platinum Card® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Buy travel insurance
While many credit cards have extensive travel benefits, a standalone travel insurance policy will offer more extensive protection, from the types of coverage offered to the dollar amount of your reimbursement.
CNBC Select's top picks for travel insurance offer benefits like cancel for any reason insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage and even pre-existing condition waivers, which allow you to get your money back if you have to cancel your trip due to a health issue.
- $2,100 per person trip delay coverage after six hours
- 100% digital claims process
- Can add coverage for pet care and vacation rental damage
- Only one plan is available
- Rates are higher than some competitors
Faye's standard coverage includes trip delays for up to $300 a day and $2,100 per trip, for delays over six hours. It even has optional pet care coverage, offering up to $2,500 reimbursement for unexpected in-trip veterinary expenses and $250 for boarding if your return trip is delayed or canceled.
- Medical-only insurance available
- CFAR is available for plans bought up to 21 days after booking
- No age limit
- CFAR only covers up to 70% of trip costs
- Trip delay coverage requires delay of 12 hours
USI Affinity's InterMedical Insurance® plan combines medical and evacuation coverage and covers trips outside of the traveler's home country from five to 364 days. Premiums start at just $1.35 a day, with three coverage limits and four deductible options.
Under the plus plan, the window to be covered by USI Affinity's pre-existing conditions waiver is 21 days, longer than most competitors.
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Meet our experts
At CNBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. For this story, we interviewed Julian Kheel, the founder and CEO of award travel search tool Points Path and previously CNN's senior editor for travel and credit cards. We also interviewed Jesse Neugarten, CEO and founder of travel deals platform Dollar Flight Club, which offers alerts on cheap airfare. In 2023, we interviewed Scott Keyes, a travel expert and founder of flight deal subscription service Going, formerly called Scott's Cheap Flights.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
*Eligibility and Benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit American Express's Benefits Guide for more details.
