I've definitely navigated the maze of fluctuating flight prices myself, and there are a few strategies I've found useful for securing cheaper flights. One thing I've noticed is that booking flights around 6 to 8 weeks in advance often gives you more competitive prices, especially for domestic travel. For international trips, you might want to start looking three to six months ahead.
In terms of days and times, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the sweet spots for finding cheaper flights. Airlines often post their deals on Monday nights, and by Tuesday they either match competitors’ prices or sell off remaining seats at a discount. I've also noticed that flights departing very early in the morning or late at night can be less expensive than midday flights.
For websites and apps, I've frequently used Skyscanner and Google Flights, which are great for comparing multiple airlines quickly. Skyscanner has a handy "Everywhere" feature if you're flexible on your destination, letting you see the cheapest places you can fly to from your departure city. Google Flights is excellent for tracking prices; you can set alerts for fare changes, which helps in deciding the best time to buy.
Regarding the incognito mode myth, I've researched it and found that it might be more symbolic than practical. The theory is that airlines use cookies to track your search interest, causing prices to rise the more you search for a specific route. However, Skyscanner and other travel experts have debunked this, attributing price fluctuations instead to more complex algorithms linked to demand and seat availability. Using incognito mode can prevent cookies from influencing your browsing experience, but its impact on pricing is likely minimal.
If you're open to going into more detail about a particular strategy or if you want recommendations on any particular destinations, let me know! I'm curious to see if anyone else has experimented with hidden-city ticketing or other unconventional tactics for lowering airfare costs.