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Travelers often spend significant time finding the best flight deals. Prices fluctuate, so it can be difficult to know when's the right time to book. Thankfully, many websites feature a flight price tracker, helping you determine when to purchase your flights.
We haven't listed every option below. Instead, we've focused on some of the best and easiest-to-use options. These websites all offer the same basic features, though some offer unique options.
Our Favorite Flight Price Tracker Websites
Google Flights
At the top of the list for ease of use and functionality, Google Flights has become many travelers' go-to flight search tool. Tracking across multiple dates, destinations, and cabins, Google Flights lets you track individual airlines or alliances, choose the number of stops, select layover airports, flight duration, and more.
To track flight prices, fill out the information for your departing and arriving airports, dates, and number of people in your party. Use the drop-down menus to filter by any other details that we mentioned above. Then, toggle the “track prices” button. You will receive emails any time your flight price changes.
KAYAK
KAYAK is very similar to Google Flights in the features it offers. To use Kayak, first set up an account. Then, enter your flight information and select any specifications you want, such as included baggage or cabin preferences. Before searching, you may want to un-toggle the JustFly button so that you stay on Kayak. Otherwise, it opens a second search for flights, and we found this to be a bit clunky.
After you search, you can use the left sidebar to filter by additional preferences, such as the number of stops, specific airlines, departure and arrival times, and more. After this, select “track prices,” and you will receive an email when the price changes.
Capital One Travel
The newest entry into our list is the Capital One Travel portal. This Hopper-powered travel search and booking portal helps you find the cheapest dates to travel and will even tell you when you're getting what's predicted to be the best price. If you're unsure, you can set up a free price watch for an itinerary to get email updates when the price drops.
As if that's not enough, you'll automatically be refunded any price difference if Capital One Travel recommends that you book a flight and the price drops within 10 days of booking. And, if you find a cheaper price through another website, you can get the price difference back through a price match guarantee.
Related: How I got $78 back in 8 minutes through the Capital One Travel price match guarantee
The catch: The Capital One travel portal is only for travelers with a Capital One credit card. So, you'll need a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business to access Capital One Travel. Even no annual fee cards — such as the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card — will unlock this access to this free flight price tracking and booking option.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is one of the biggest travel search engines in the world. It scans hundreds of websites to find the best prices on airfare and hotels. Similar to other flight price trackers, you will first set up an account. Then, enter your search dates and airports. Instead of a “track prices” toggle, you will select the “Get Price Alerts” button on the left side of the page. You'll get an email when the flight price changes.
Hopper
Hopper is the most downloaded travel app in North America. The company uses a multi-billion-point algorithm to help predict the best time to book a flight. When looking for flights, Hopper will tell you if it's a good time to buy or if you should wait for the price to drop. Additionally, you can track certain trip itineraries.
First, enter your cities and dates. Next, Hopper will either tell you to book now or wait. If Hopper recommends waiting, select “Watch This Trip” to be notified of price drops.
Going
Going is a unique flight price tracker that monitors flights from your home airport. Furthermore, it recommends other nearby airports or hubs you may be interested in including in your search. Instead of choosing destinations and then receiving emails for those, you will get notified of all deals from any of your selected airports.
Going offers both free and paid memberships. Limited membership is free and includes economy deals within the continental U.S. Premium membership costs $49 per year and includes being the first to know about economy seats from your selected airports to any destination in the world. Elite membership costs $199 annually and allows more customization with the types of deals you receive, plus it includes premium economy, business, and first-class tickets.
Changing Your Flight
Tracking ticket prices is more important now than ever since many airlines no longer charge change fees. During the pandemic, airlines dropped their change fees as travel came to a halt. Since then, most airlines have kept their fee-free policy.
When you book a flight, it's important to keep an eye on prices for your flight. If prices change, you may be able to rebook your same flight and get a refund or travel credit for the price difference. Alternatively, you may be able to cancel, get a full refund, and then book a new (cheaper) flight.
Related: How to track your travel plans with the AwardWallet Timeline
Pay With the Right Credit Card
Once you've found the flight you want to book, it's important to pay with the right card. There are many great travel cards out there. Here are some of our favorite cards for earning lots of points on flights booked through these or other websites:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees): Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- American Express® Green Card: Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3X points per $1 spent on airfare and other hotels; and 3X points at gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees): 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees): 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 2x on all other travel purchases.
Related: Best Rewards Cards for Travel Purchases
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are quite a few options when it comes to tracking flight prices. Google Flights remains the most popular and widely used, but there are many others that offer great services. Because most of them are free, it doesn't hurt to sign up for a few to make sure you never miss a deal.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
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