If you’re someone who is always planning your next getaway, rising costs of living may be a concern as you dream of upcoming vacations. In fact, according to Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends, flight price is a top determining cost factor when Canadians are booking their vacay. But finding cheaper flights isn’t always easy.
If you’re a savvy traveler, though, you can still book your dream destination without breaking the bank. Here are some sneaky tips for how you can save money on your airfare in 2025.
Book Off-Season for Popular Destinations
One of the best ways to snag a hot deal is to travel to popular destinations in their off-season for tourism. Sure, this may mean that you’ll miss the best weather, but it can also come with the bonus of avoiding big crowds of tourists. Canadians are known for their hardiness and ability to handle frigid temperatures. So if you’re looking for the very best deal, consider destinations like:
- London, England in February or March
- Tokyo, Japan in September and October
- Paris, France in January or February
Earn Points With a Travel Card
Make your credit work for you — and help you pay off your trips — by choosing the right travel card. Be sure to shop around for the best offer and consider how the welcome bonuses will pay off. Compare things like regular awards on spending, welcome bons and anniversary bonus. Online tools like RateHub have a calculator where you can enter your typical spending, and compare the deals and benefits of various travel cards.
To illustrate the differences in these offers, travel expert Barry Choi breaks down the different benefits of various credit cards and ways to navigate them. For example, he recommends signing on with the American Express Gold card and then switching to Cobalt down the line to maximize the points.
Don’t Get Fooled by Hidden Fees
One of the worst feelings is when you get nailed with hidden costs during your travel. The rise of discount airlines and the decline of carry-on inclusions (not to mention the shrinking sizes of luggage allowances) mean that the price of your ticket may not be the price of your journey.
It may sound simple, but try to avoid an extra hundred bucks or two by checking your luggage allowance and booking ahead to accommodate your needs. Baggage will always cost more at the counter or at the gate. Account for these fees when booking your flight or be prepared to suit up in a Ryanair special.
Related: Everything Canadians Need to Know About the ETIAS Before Travelling to Europe
Know When to Buy
If you have a particular destination in mind, it’s always a good idea to have your Google Flight tracker on. You can set your tracker for exact dates, or a flexible range. In general, it’s recommended to book international trips between three to six months before your travel dates. Domestic travel can be booked closer to the date, with around one to three months prior being the sweet spot. Sites like Skyscanner, KAYAK, Momondo and Kiwi are also great options to track and find the best flight deals.
When it comes to the best day of the week to book, opinions online vary. But many sources, including Spring Financial, recommend Tuesday or Sunday as the best day for Canadians to book a flight.
Subscribe to Flight Deal Feeds
Got a flexible calendar? Then flight deal sites may just be your new favourite thing. Sites like YYZdeals are a great source for finding jaw-dropping deals that you’ll need to be quick to snap up. I’ve personally scored one of my all-time best deals — a multi-stop trip to Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea to Toronto for only $550 — from a YYZdeals newsletter and have been singing their praises since. Another tip is to check Reddit threads for travel deals and tips, like r/CanadaTravel.
See More: This One Travel Trend Is Increasing in Popularity Among Canadians
Be Flexible With Stopovers
Sometimes the direct route is not the best route… unless you’re really averse to being in the air. You can save big bucks if you’re willing to take the scenic route — and even add a night or two to your stopover journey to see a second location. You can find better deals to destinations that are actively trying to attract tourists through stopover programs. Turn your vacation in a two-for-one deal in destinations like Dubai, Amsterdam and Lisbon with this tip.
Rack up Your Loyalty Points
Other than travel credit cards, there are other points cards that can help benefit your getaway. Points cards like Aeroplan, Avion and WestJet Rewards are available for plenty of purchases — from grocery runs to fuelling up your tank. Several credit cards will also allow you to convert points to travel points, so you can pool your earnings for the largest travel cash out. Compare different loyalty cards online to see which is the best option for you and get the most bang for your buck. If you don’t have enough points to cover your flight, you can also use rewards for things like seat upgrades to make your travel a little more comfortable.
Go Incognito
Another tip for ensuring that you don’t get price gauged when booking flights is to look at your cookie settings. If you’ve previously searched for a flight price, your interest in that route may cause an inflation in the price (thanks to dynamic pricing). For this reason, it’s always best to reject cookies and search for flights using incognito mode on your browser.
Book Travel During Sale Days
It may not always fit in with your timing; but if you can, booking air travel during airline sales can save you a pretty penny. Many airlines like Air Canada have their best deals on Boxing Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Consider taking advantage of holiday season to snag a great deal on your spring or summer getaway.
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Compare Booking Sites
If you’ve already found a sweet deal, do your due diligence before clicking that “Book” button. Compare discount travel sites with the airlines site directly to see the price difference. Don’t be swayed by price alone though — compare the cancellation and refund policies, luggage allowance and seat allocation before you make your selection. Oftentimes, airlines will include more in their basic fare compared to discount sites.
Snagging the best deal on your ideal vacation takes a combination of flexibility, research and a bit of luck. To ensure that you’re saving your hard-earned dollars, keep these tips in mind before you book. Happy travels!
