How to Find the Cheapest Flights for Your LDR Visits

When you're in a long-distance relationship, flight costs can quickly become one of your biggest expenses. Whether you're flying every month or every few months, those ticket prices add up fast. The good news? With the right strategies and tools, you can save hundreds of dollars on every trip.

I've been traveling between cities for my relationship for three years now, and I've learned every trick in the book to score cheap flights. Here's everything you need to know.

Use the Right Flight Search Tools

Not all flight search engines are created equal. While Google Flights is convenient, you'll want to use multiple platforms to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Skyscanner: Your Secret Weapon

Skyscanner is hands-down the best tool for finding cheap flights. What sets it apart is the "Everywhere" search feature that lets you see the cheapest destinations from your airport, and the flexible date search that shows an entire month of prices at a glance.

Here's how to use it effectively:

• Search with flexible dates (plus or minus 3 days)
• Set up price alerts for your route
• Use the "whole month" view to identify the cheapest days
• Check "nearby airports" to compare all options

Other Essential Tools

Google Flights offers excellent calendar views and tracks whether current prices are high, typical, or low for your route. The price tracking feature sends you email alerts when fares drop.

Kayak has a "hacker fares" feature that combines one-way tickets from different airlines to create the cheapest round-trip option.

Momondo often finds deals that other search engines miss, especially for international flights.

Master the Timing

When to Book

The sweet spot for domestic flights is typically 1-3 months before departure. For international flights, aim for 2-8 months in advance. However, there are exceptions:

• Tuesday and Wednesday bookings often yield better prices
• 6-8 weeks out is ideal for domestic flights
• Last-minute deals can sometimes work if you're flexible

When to Fly

Flying at the right time can save you 40-60% on the same route:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday are typically cheapest
• Early morning or red-eye flights cost less
• Avoid Sundays and Fridays when prices peak
• Midday flights are often cheaper than evening

Be Flexible With Everything

Flexible Dates

If you can shift your travel dates by even a day or two, you can save significantly. Use the calendar view on flight search engines to see how prices vary throughout the week and month.

Flexible Airports

Don't limit yourself to your nearest airport. Sometimes driving an extra hour to a different airport can save $200+ on a ticket. Check all airports within reasonable distance:

• Major hub airports often have more competition and lower prices
• Smaller airports might have budget airline options
• Consider both ends of your trip for airport alternatives

Flexible Airlines

Budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier aren't always included in search engines. Check their websites directly. Just remember to factor in bag fees when comparing prices.

Set Up Price Alerts

This is perhaps the most important tip. Set up alerts on multiple platforms:

Skyscanner Alerts: Get notified when prices drop for your route. Set alerts for both specific dates and flexible "whole month" searches.

Google Flights Tracking: Track specific flights and receive email notifications about price changes.

Hopper App: Uses predictive algorithms to tell you whether to book now or wait, with push notifications when prices drop.

Use Points and Miles

If you fly frequently for your LDR, credit card points and airline miles can cover entire trips. Consider:

• Getting a travel rewards credit card with a sign-up bonus
• Joining airline loyalty programs (free to join)
• Using a card that earns 2-3x points on travel purchases
• Transferring credit card points to airline partners for better value

Even if you only visit every few months, you can accumulate enough points for 1-2 free flights per year.

Consider Alternate Routes

Sometimes the direct flight isn't the cheapest option. While less convenient, consider:

Connecting Flights

A flight with one connection might save you $100-300. If you have the time and your schedule is flexible, it's worth it.

Positioning Flights

Sometimes flying to a hub city first, then catching a budget airline, can be cheaper than a direct flight. This works especially well if you can visit someone or explore a city during your connection.

Split Tickets

Occasionally, booking two one-way tickets (even on different airlines) is cheaper than a round-trip. Kayak's "hacker fares" feature finds these automatically.

Book Direct When It Makes Sense

After finding the best price on a search engine, check the airline's website directly. Sometimes they offer:

• Price matching with additional perks
• Exclusive online discounts
• Better cancellation policies
• Easier changes and customer service

Sign Up for Airline Newsletters

Airlines regularly send flash sales to email subscribers, sometimes offering 40-60% off specific routes. Sign up for newsletters from:

• Airlines you frequently fly
• Budget carriers on your route
• Airlines with hubs near you or your partner

Create a separate email folder so these don't clutter your inbox, and check weekly for deals.

Clear Your Browser Cookies

This is somewhat controversial, but many travelers swear that flight prices increase when you repeatedly search the same route. Whether or not dynamic pricing is real, it doesn't hurt to:

• Search in incognito/private browsing mode
• Clear your cookies before searching
• Use a VPN to appear as if you're searching from different locations

Consider Error Fares and Deals

Occasionally, airlines make pricing mistakes or offer incredible flash sales. Follow these resources:

• Secret Flying: Posts error fares and amazing deals
• The Flight Deal: Curates the best flight deals daily
• Scott's Cheap Flights: Premium service that sends deals to your inbox

Error fares don't happen often on your specific route, but when they do, you could save 70-90% on a ticket.

Pack Light to Avoid Fees

Bag fees can add $50-100 to your ticket price. If you're visiting for a weekend:

• Use a personal item that fits under the seat
• Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane
• Leave toiletries at your partner's place
• Do laundry at their place for longer visits

Be Strategic About Holidays

If you want to visit during holidays without paying holiday prices:

• Travel on the actual holiday (Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day)
• Leave a day earlier or later than peak times
• Visit before or after the holiday rather than during

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the most expensive days to fly. Tuesday before or Saturday after can be much cheaper.

Real-Life Example

Here's how I recently saved $320 on a round-trip flight:

Original search: Friday evening to Sunday evening, direct flight: $480

What I did:

• Flew Thursday morning instead of Friday evening: -$120
• Returned Monday morning instead of Sunday evening: -$100
• Chose a flight with one connection instead of direct: -$80
• Used Skyscanner price alert to book when price dropped: -$20

Final price: $160

Yes, I had to take an extra day off work and my travel time increased by 2 hours, but I saved $320 and got an extra night with my partner. Totally worth it.

Your Action Plan

Here's what to do right now:

1. Set up price alerts on Skyscanner and Google Flights for your route
2. Join the frequent flyer programs for airlines on your route
3. Subscribe to airline newsletters and deal sites
4. Download the Hopper app for predictive pricing
5. Check flights with flexible dates (plus or minus 3 days)
6. Compare all nearby airports
7. Consider getting a travel rewards credit card

Finding cheap flights takes a bit of extra effort upfront, but once you have these systems in place, you'll consistently save hundreds of dollars on every visit. That's money you can spend on creating amazing memories together instead of sitting in an airplane seat.