How to Find Cheap Flights

Finding cheap flights is mostly about flexibility, planning, and avoiding hidden costs. You don’t need hacks as much as you need a simple system you can stick to.

Use KOHO Everything to Make Your Flight Money Go Further

Before you even book, it helps to keep your travel savings in a place that earns something and doesn’t punish you when you spend abroad.

With the KOHO Everything plan, you get:

• Grow your savings with 3.5% interest, one of the highest rates in Canada

• Earn a 2% cash back rate on groceries, eating, drinking, and transportation and 0.5% cash back on everything else

• There are no foreign exchange fees, so you save on international purchases and travel

• Free international eSIM (3GB Free)

• Unlimited transactions and free e-transfers

• No minimum balance required, ever

1. Be Flexible With Dates and Times

The more flexible you are, the cheaper it gets:

• Shift your trip by a day or two and often see lower fares

• Look at midweek flights (Tues/Wed) vs. weekends

• Consider early-morning or late-night flights that are less popular

Even a small flexibility window—like “leave any day within this 5-day range”—can make a big difference.

2. Use Flight Scanner Tools and Price Alerts

Instead of checking manually every day:

• Use flight comparison sites/apps to see multiple airlines at once

• Turn on price alerts for your route so you get notified when fares drop

• Compare basic economy vs. regular economy (basic looks cheap but may charge for bags and changes)

Start searching a bit ahead of time so you get a feel for what’s actually a good deal vs. normal pricing.

3. Check Nearby Airports

If you’re flying from or to a big city region, there may be multiple airports within driving or train distance. Sometimes:

• Flying into a secondary airport is cheaper, even after transit costs

• A short train or bus ride can save you hundreds on the flight itself

Just be sure to factor in time + transport cost from that airport to your final destination.

4. Avoid Fee Traps (Bags, Seats, Extras)

A “cheap” flight can get expensive fast if you get hit with extras:

• Travel with carry-on only if you can

• Skip paid seat selection unless you really need it

• Bring your own snacks and water bottle (after security)

Compare the total cost, not just the base fare. Sometimes a slightly higher base fare with included bags is cheaper overall.

5. Use Points and Cash Back Strategically

You don’t need a hardcore points strategy to save:

• Use your KOHO Everything cash back as a mini travel fund

• When you get a tax refund or bonus

• Treat any extra cash back + interest as “discounts” on future flights

Over time, those little boosts can easily cover baggage fees, seat upgrades, or a short-haul flight.

6. Book at a Sensible Time (Not Last-Minute Panic)

You don’t have to obsess over an exact “magic” day, but:

• For many routes, booking a few weeks to a few months in advance tends to beat last-minute prices

• Avoid booking super last-minute unless you’re forced to—prices often jump as the date gets close

Pick a rough window (for example, start watching fares 2–3 months before your trip) and let alerts and comparisons guide you.

7. Protect Your Travel Budget

A cheap flight isn’t helpful if your finances are chaotic and you’re putting it all on high-interest credit.

• Keep a separate “Travel” goal

• Let that cash earn high interest while you plan

• Pay for flights with no FX fees and earn cash back

…means you’re not just saving on the ticket—you’re making the whole trip more affordable.