How to Book Cheap Cash Flights — And Why Repricing is Your Secret Weapon
Let’s bust a myth right out the gate: there is no magic day or time to book the cheapest flight. That old “Tuesday at 1 p.m.” trick? Not really a thing anymore.
But here’s what is real: thanks to a major shift in airline policy, you can book now, watch the price later, and rebook if it drops—and that can save you serious money.
The Game-Changer: No More Change Fees (Well, Almost)
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic travel era? Most major U.S. airlines permanently removed change fees for non-basic economy tickets. That means you can book a flight today, and if the price drops tomorrow, you can often rebook it and get a travel credit for the difference.
Why This Matters (Especially for Business Travelers Like Me)
As a frequent business traveler, I used to stress over when to book flights because of one major reason: the dreaded $200 change fee.
Back in the day, booking a ticket felt like signing a contract. If plans shifted—because a client moved a meeting, or our team had to pivot last minute—we’d get hit with a $200 fee per person, per ticket. And no, you didn’t get your money back. You got an airline credit, tied to the traveler’s name, with restrictions and expiry dates.
So when budgeting for trips, we’d mentally knock $200 off the value of every ticket. That uncertainty made it hard to commit to early bookings—even when we saw great deals.
Fast forward to today? It's a totally different game. Now, with no change fees on most fares, I can book proactively and confidently. If the price drops? I rebook and get a credit. If my plans shift? I cancel or reschedule without penalty. It’s not just a win for my wallet—it’s a win for my calendar and my sanity.
How I Book Flights Now (and How You Can Too)
Personally, I book cash fares proactively—especially if I fly that airline regularly and know I’ll use any travel credit that gets issued.
Let’s say I lock in a $250 fare from LAX to JFK. Two weeks later, that same flight drops to $180. With a few clicks, I can rebook the cheaper fare and get $70 in airline credit. Multiply that across a family or multiple trips, and it adds up fast.
How to Track Flight Prices After You Book
This is the part most people miss. You don’t have to guess the perfect time to book—just track the flight after you buy it and set up a price alert.
🔍 Google Flights Price Tracking
Go to Google Flights
Search your flight
Toggle “Track Prices”
You’ll get email alerts every time the fare changes (up or down)
💡 Pro Tip: Click into the exact flight you booked and track that specific one to get the most relevant alerts.
Downside? You’ll get alerts for all price changes, not just drops. So be prepared for a few “your flight price went up” emails too.
🔔 KAYAK Price Alerts
Prefer fewer emails and more app-based alerts?
Sign up for a free KAYAK account
“Heart” a flight to save it and create an alert
Or go to “Notifications” > “Create Price Alert”
You’ll get updates in the app or your account dashboard, and it’s a little quieter than Google Flights’ email system.
Bonus Tip: Use CardPointers to Automate the Payoff
If you want to take this to the next level, I use CardPointers to track the best cards to pay for flights (and trigger travel insurance, credits, and rewards). It also reminds me when I’ve got unused travel credits—so I don’t let that $70 voucher go to waste.
Bottom Line
Booking cheap cash flights isn’t about knowing the perfect date or time anymore—it’s about leveraging airline flexibility and tracking price drops after you book.
Thanks to the elimination of change fees, repricing flights has become one of the easiest travel hacks out there. Whether you're flying solo or booking for the whole family, a few clicks could save you hundreds.
Start tracking. Reprice when it drops. And keep that travel credit for your next adventure.
Want to learn more ways to book smart and travel in style?
👉 Comment “Airline Webinar” for a link to my free upcoming course.
