14 Ways to Find Legitimate Flight Deals (Without Getting Scammed)

3. Set Fare Alerts Early

If you're planning a trip more than a month out, fare alerts are your secret weapon. Apps like Hopper, Kayak, or Google Flights let you track specific routes and notify you when prices drop. This avoids the last-minute rush (and risk) of pouncing on the wrong deal under pressure. Set alerts for a few date ranges to spot patterns and compare trends over time. These tools use real-time data and predictive algorithms—meaning they’ll often catch price dips even before the airline launches a promo. It’s like having a pocket travel analyst watching the skies for you.