Can ChatGPT really cut the cost of your next trip? Some travellers online talk about it like a secret oracle for bargain flights. But the truth of using ChatGPT to find cheap flights is a little less magical, though still useful for some of us.
Unfortunately, ChatGPT can’t conjure hidden, bargain tickets out of thin air. It won’t show you flights you can’t already find on booking sites. But what it can do is reframe the way you search. Think of it as a flight-finding, brainstorming buddy that helps you explore cheaper routes, share timing tricks, and find airlines or travel suggestions you might usually overlook.
It’s worth saying that if you’re already a savvy flight-hacker, some of this won’t be brand new. But if you’ve never gone beyond typing dates into Skyscanner, using ChatGPT can feel like discovering a whole load of cheap flight cheat codes. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite ChatGPT prompts for finding the best cheap flights.
Timing your trip
One of the biggest factors in flight prices is when you book and when you fly. If you can be flexible with your travel dates and patient in getting everything locked in, then ChatGPT can help by surfacing the best times.
Try these prompts:
- What days of the week usually have the cheapest flights for [ROUTE]?
- Based on current data, when is the best time to book flights from [CITY] to [CITY] for [MONTH/SEASON]?
- How far in advance should I book long-haul vs short-haul flights to save the most money?
It can also point you toward credit card perks or points hacks, which are best to explore before you book, too.
Alternate airports and hidden routes
Not all airports are created equal. Sometimes flying into (or out of) a smaller hub nearby can save you some serious money.
Try these prompts:
- What are the cheapest nearby airports to [CITY] that might have lower fares?
- Find the cheapest way to fly from [CITY A] to [CITY B] next month, including hidden routes + alternate airports.
ChatGPT can also suggest mixing flights with trains, buses, or ferries if you don’t care how long travel takes but just want to get there for less.
Budget and lesser-known airlines
Search engines don’t always show every carrier, especially smaller, low-cost or regional ones. ChatGPT can give you more options at the budget end of the market:
Try these prompts:
- Which budget airlines operate this route that aren’t listed on Google Flights or Skyscanner?
- Compare regional airlines in [COUNTRY/REGION] that are cheaper than the big carriers.
- What airlines in [REGION] are known for flash sales or ‘2-for-1’ promos?
Of course, most of the best flight-finding services do cover all airlines, but it’s worth checking, and ChatGPT is a good place to come for a quick scan of all the major platforms.
Layovers and stopovers
A layover isn’t always a hassle, it can be a major money-saver. ChatGPT is handy at spotting creative routing ideas:
Try these prompts:
- Suggest layover cities that cut the price, even if it requires two separate bookings.
- Which airlines offer free or cheap stopover programs between [CITY A] and [CITY B]?
- What are the best hubs in Europe/Asia for building in a 1–2 day layover on the way to [DESTINATION]?
Splitting tickets and multi-leg hacks
Sometimes, two separate tickets beat one fare. ChatGPT can help you compare.
Try these prompts:
- Check if booking [CITY A → CITY B] and [CITY B → CITY C] separately is cheaper than a direct [CITY A → CITY C] ticket.
- Break down multi-leg routes from [CITY] to [CITY] that save money compared to a single ticket.
It can also suggest flying into one airport and out of another if the region has good on-the-ground transport.
Sales, mistake fares and secret alerts
This is where things get fun. ChatGPT can point you toward the tools that can help you find mistake fares – flights sold at really low rates due to errors – and other sales.
Try this prompt:
- Any mistake fares, flash sales, or unusually cheap flights departing [MY AIRPORT] this month?
I’ve tried this, and sometimes ChatGPT doesn’t surface anything particularly helpful for certain trips. But it’s gold if you’re flexible and can jump on deals fast.
Building your own checklist
But the real power of ChatGPT as a makeshift travel agent isn’t just answering one-off questions about cheap flights but helping you set up your own system.
Try these prompts:
- Create a checklist for checking error fares, flight alerts, and alternative airports.
- Suggest the best websites for setting fare alerts on [ROUTE].
With these ideas you’re basically building yourself a custom travel-hacking playbook.
ChatGPT won’t replace Skyscanner, Google Flights, or even a good travel agent – yes, they still exist. But it can upgrade the way you search for flights by nudging you into smarter strategies, like alternate airports, layover options, budget carriers, and alerts you might not have considered.
If you’ve always booked the obvious and most direct flight, ChatGPT can open up a new world of options. Sometimes, those options can save you a little; sometimes they’ll save you hundreds.
