How to still find air travel deals with rising costs

CHICAGO (WLS) — With more travelers ready to take flight this season, the Transportation Security Administration predicts a summer of record proportions.

It could screen more than 3 million people in one day with the high summer demand, according to the agency.

Kyle Potter with Thrifty Traveler joined ABC7 Chicago to discuss some summer travel tips and ways to save. Potter said the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index showed an 18.6% increase in air fares from March to April – the biggest one-month jump in recorded history.

But there are still plenty of ways to travel for less, and with Americans planning to travel for 2022 with fewer COVID restrictions, now seems like the perfect time to offer viewers six ways to still find cheap flights:

1. Use Google Flights: There are several travel search engines out there, but Google Flights is the juggernaut with the most tools and features for finding the best possible deals.

RELATED: What to Know About Summer Travel, How to Find Cheap Flights with Rising Costs

2. Follow the “first flight rule”: don’t book anything else before your flights. Search flights and let the prices guide you to the cheapest dates.

3. Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: These days are generally considered “off-peak” and are your best bet for finding the cheapest deals.

4. Book early: Right now is the time to look and book fall and winter trips. Plan ahead and you’ll likely find better prices.

5. Avoid summer peaks and holidays: you’ll likely find more affordable flights in shoulder seasons (May-June and late August-October)

6. Be flexible: Choose a different destination: Google Flights’ Explore feature can help you find the absolute best prices when you just need to get away from it all, and some destinations are still cheaper despite rising ticket prices. plane.

For more travel tips and more information, click here.