10 Ways to Spot a Real Flight Deal — Avoid Black Friday Gimmicks

Black Friday brings some genuinely good flight discounts, and it also brings plenty of noise. Airlines and sellers roll out eye-catching fares, while scammers and marketing gimmicks try to make ordinary prices look extraordinary. This guide gives eleven practical checks you can use when a "Black Friday flight sale" lands in your inbox or feeds. Use these steps to separate real savings from manufactured discounts and to protect your money and identity while booking travel. Start by setting a baseline for the routes you care about. Track prices ahead of time. Compare results across sources and confirm the final total before you click. Prefer secure payment and readable cancellation terms. If something feels off, pause and verify. The goal here is simple: keep the good deals and avoid the traps. Each numbered item below includes what to look for, quick verification steps, and what to do if you find a red flag. Stick to the checklist and you’ll shop smarter on sale day, not faster. Safe booking starts with a few consistent habits, and these eleven checks are designed for readers who want clear, actionable steps rather than scare stories.

1. Track baseline fares before sale day

Start every sale hunt with a baseline. Track the regular price for your route days or weeks before Black Friday. Doing this shows whether the advertised "sale" is a real drop or just a minor fluctuation. Tools like Google Flights, Hopper, or airline fare calendars make this straightforward. Note weekday versus weekend differences and any seasonal patterns so you know what a typical fare looks like. If the price on sale day is below your recorded baseline, that’s usually a solid signal. If the "discount" simply matches what you saw earlier, the ad may be using inflated original prices to claim savings. Baseline tracking takes a little time upfront, but it prevents impulse buys on misleading promotions.