Flight prices move up and down constantly, and it’s almost impossible to manually check every day without missing a good deal. That’s where flight price alerts come in: they monitor fares for you and notify you when prices change.
But simply turning on alerts is not enough—you need to use them correctly. This guide explains how to set up smart alerts, how many to use, and how to decide when it’s finally time to book.
What Are Flight Price Alerts?
Flight price alerts are notifications (email, app, or SMS) that let you know when the price of a specific route or set of dates changes. They can be based on:
- Exact dates (for example, June 5–12, New York to Paris)
- Flexible date ranges (for example, a week in June)
- Specific routes with no fixed dates (for example, any cheap New York–Europe deals)
Good alerts save you time, reduce stress, and help you recognize when a fare is truly a deal—not just a random change.
Step 1: Define Your Trip Clearly
Before turning on alerts, decide the basics of your trip:
- Origin and destination: Are you fixed to one airport or flexible to nearby ones?
- Travel window: Exact dates, or a range of weeks/months?
- Trip length: For example, 5–7 days, two weeks, or just a weekend?
The more flexibility you have on dates and airports, the more powerful your alerts become.
Step 2: Choose Your Alert Strategy
There are two main ways to use alerts:
Strategy A: Exact-Date Alerts
Best when you:
- Have fixed vacation days
- Must travel on specific dates (events, weddings, conferences)
You set alerts for your exact departure and return dates and track how prices move as your trip approaches.
Strategy B: Flexible-Date Alerts
Best when you:
- Can shift your trip within a flexible window (for example, any week in October)
- Are deal-focused rather than date-focused
Flexible alerts check a range of dates and help you identify which departure and return days are consistently cheaper.
Step 3: Set Up Multiple, But Not Too Many, Alerts
Too few alerts and you may miss good deals. Too many and you’ll ignore your inbox. A balanced approach:
- 1–3 alerts for your preferred dates
- 1–3 alerts for alternative dates or nearby airports
- Optional: 1 broad “deal” alert for the region if you’re very flexible (for example, “Europe from New York”)
By comparing alerts across dates and airports, you’ll quickly see which options are realistically cheaper.
Step 4: Decide What a “Good Price” Looks Like
Price alerts are only useful if you know what you’re looking for. Before you start:
- Do a few manual searches to see the typical price range for your route.
- Note what looks “normal,” what looks “high,” and what would feel like a great deal.
- Set a rough target price in your head (or write it down).
When an alert arrives with a fare at or below your target, you’ll know it’s time to seriously consider booking.
Step 5: Watch How Prices Move Over Time
As alerts start coming in, pay attention to patterns:
- Are prices trending down, up, or just fluctuating slightly?
- Do certain days of the week or times of day bring better fares?
- Are nearby dates consistently cheaper than your original choice?
Over a couple of weeks, you’ll get a feel for what’s realistic for your route and season.
Step 6: Combine Alerts with a Booking Window
Price alerts work best when combined with a realistic booking window, such as:
- Domestic flights: Plan to book about 1–3 months before departure.
- International flights: Plan to book about 3–6 months before departure.
Within that window, alerts help you pick the right moment. If you’re close to your travel date and prices are rising, it’s usually better to book a decent fare than wait for a last-minute miracle.
Step 7: Know When to Stop Waiting
One common mistake is waiting forever for a slightly better price. Avoid that by:
- Setting a decision deadline (for example, “If nothing better appears by this date, I’ll book the best available fare.”)
- Accepting a fare that’s within your target range, even if it’s not the absolute lowest you’ve seen.
- Remembering that your time and peace of mind also have value.
Price alerts are tools to make decisions easier, not to chase perfection.
Smart Ways to Use Flight Price Alerts
1. Track Multiple Cabin Types
If you’re open to both economy and premium economy (or even business on good deals), set alerts for different cabins. Sometimes a sale in a higher cabin makes a big comfort upgrade surprisingly affordable.
2. Try Different Trip Lengths
For flexible trips, set alerts for:
- Short stay (for example, 3–4 nights)
- Standard week (7 nights)
- Longer stay (10–14 nights)
Occasionally, staying a bit longer (or shorter) aligns better with cheaper fare buckets.
3. Include Nearby Airports
If you live near several airports or your destination has multiple options, set alerts for combinations like:
- All New York-area airports → London-area airports
- Major international hubs versus regional airports
Just remember to factor in ground transport costs when comparing options.
4. Use Alerts for Return Flights Too
For round trips, you can sometimes save money by watching:
- Separate one-way fares (outbound vs inbound)
- Alternative return dates that are a day or two earlier or later
Alerts can help you spot when a different return date brings the total price down.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Price Alerts
Setting Alerts Too Late
If you enable alerts only a couple of weeks before your trip—especially for busy routes—most of the cheapest options may already be gone. Start earlier to see the full range of prices.
Ignoring Taxes and Fees
Some alerts might highlight the base fare but not all extras. Always click through and:
- Check the final price including taxes and surcharges
- Consider baggage, seat selection, and other add-ons
Subscribing to Too Many Alerts
Hundreds of emails cause “alert fatigue” and you start ignoring them altogether. Keep your setup focused on real trips you are considering, not every possible destination at once.
Waiting After a Great Deal Appears
Some of the best fares disappear quickly. If an alert shows a price that’s clearly lower than usual and within your target budget, it’s often wise to book sooner rather than later.
Simple Workflow for Using Price Alerts
- Decide your destination, date range, and budget.
- Set 3–6 focused alerts (dates, nearby airports, maybe one flexible alert).
- Watch prices for 1–3 weeks to understand the usual range.
- When a fare hits your target range within your booking window, book it.
- Turn off alerts after booking to avoid confusion from later notifications.
Tip: Keep a simple note or spreadsheet with your route, usual price range, and your personal target price. When an alert matches or beats that target, you’ll know it’s a genuine win.
Once your alerts are set and you’re ready to act, you can search and compare flights on BookingBe to quickly see which airline and agency is offering the best deal at that moment.