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Dollar Scholar Asks: What’s the Secret to Scoring Cheap Flights?

By: Julia Glum
Julia Glum, expert in the IRS, taxes, credit scores, saving, colleges, mobile payment apps, and News Editor at Money
Julia Glum
News Editor | Joined February 2018
Julia Glum joined Money in 2018 and specializes in covering financial trends that affect everyday Americans' wallets. She also writes Dollar Scholar, a weekly newsletter that teaches young adults how to navigate the messy world of money.
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Published: Sep 20, 2023 7 min read
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Rangely Garcia for Money

This is an excerpt from Dollar Scholar, the Money newsletter where news editor Julia Glum teaches you the modern money lessons you NEED to know. Don't miss the next issue! Sign up at money.com/subscribe and join our community of 160,000+ Scholars.

I am writing this from the Orlando International Airport, where I’m not-so-patiently waiting to catch a flight to NYC. The plane was supposed to leave at 7:35; currently, our estimated time of departure is 9:53 p.m.

I fly back and forth between Florida and New York fairly often. My family is here, and I like to see them whenever I can — even if it means dealing with delays, fighting my way through hordes of sunburned tourists and dodging children who inevitably melt down when they have to send their stuffed Minion through the TSA scanner. (This happens all. The. Time.)

I have a high tolerance for Minions, but the cost of the whole airport rigmarole bugs me. I always shop around before buying a ticket — but I never seem to snag those uber-cheap deals travel hackers are always bragging about online.

How can I save money on flights?