7 ChatGPT prompts that may help save you money while booking flights
Travellers are using ChatGPT to slash flight costs by uncovering hidden routes, budget airlines, and smarter booking strategies. It’s not perfect — but it can reframe how you search.
ChatGPT won’t replace tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights. But with ticket prices staying high, it’s becoming a handy add-on for travellers looking to fly smarter, cheaper, and with a few new tricks up their sleeve.
Timing your booking “What days of the week usually have the cheapest flights for [ROUTE]?” “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?” ChatGPT can also flag credit card perks and loyalty point hacks to squeeze out extra value.
2/7
Exploring alternate airports and hidden routes “What are the cheapest nearby airports to [CITY]?” “Find the cheapest way to fly from [CITY A] to [CITY B] next month, including hidden routes + alternate airports.” It can also mix in buses, trains, or ferries for hybrid journeys that cost less.
3/7
Finding regional or budget airlines “Which budget airlines operate this route that aren’t listed on Google Flights or Skyscanner?” “What regional airlines in [COUNTRY] are known for flash sales?” “Compare regional airlines in [REGION] that are cheaper than big carriers.”
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Using layovers strategically “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]?” Layovers can stretch into mini-trips if you build in an extra day or two.
Breaking trips into multi-leg bookings “Check if booking [CITY A → CITY B] and [CITY B → CITY C] separately is cheaper than a direct ticket.” “Break down multi-leg routes from [CITY] to [CITY] that save money compared to a single ticket.”
6/7
Spotting flash sales and error fares “Any mistake fares or flash sales from [MY AIRPORT] this month?” This can surface forums, newsletters, and communities that track ultra-cheap or accidental fares.
7/7
Building your own travel-hacking system “Create a checklist for checking error fares, flight alerts, and alternative airports.” “Suggest the best websites for setting fare alerts on [ROUTE].”
![Timing your booking “What days of the week usually have the cheapest flights for [ROUTE]?” “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?” ChatGPT can also flag credit card perks and loyalty point hacks to squeeze out extra value.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024701_chatgpt3.jpg "Timing your booking “What days of the week usually have the cheapest flights for [ROUTE]?” “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?” ChatGPT can also flag credit card perks and loyalty point hacks to squeeze out extra value.")
![Exploring alternate airports and hidden routes “What are the cheapest nearby airports to [CITY]?” “Find the cheapest way to fly from [CITY A] to [CITY B] next month, including hidden routes + alternate airports.” It can also mix in buses, trains, or ferries for hybrid journeys that cost less.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024707_chatgptapple.jpg "Exploring alternate airports and hidden routes “What are the cheapest nearby airports to [CITY]?” “Find the cheapest way to fly from [CITY A] to [CITY B] next month, including hidden routes + alternate airports.” It can also mix in buses, trains, or ferries for hybrid journeys that cost less.")
![Finding regional or budget airlines “Which budget airlines operate this route that aren’t listed on Google Flights or Skyscanner?” “What regional airlines in [COUNTRY] are known for flash sales?” “Compare regional airlines in [REGION] that are cheaper than big carriers.”](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024704_chatgpt5.jpg "Finding regional or budget airlines “Which budget airlines operate this route that aren’t listed on Google Flights or Skyscanner?” “What regional airlines in [COUNTRY] are known for flash sales?” “Compare regional airlines in [REGION] that are cheaper than big carriers.”")
![Using layovers strategically “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]?” Layovers can stretch into mini-trips if you build in an extra day or two.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024657_chatgpt2.jpg "Using layovers strategically “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]?” Layovers can stretch into mini-trips if you build in an extra day or two.")
![Breaking trips into multi-leg bookings “Check if booking [CITY A → CITY B] and [CITY B → CITY C] separately is cheaper than a direct ticket.” “Break down multi-leg routes from [CITY] to [CITY] that save money compared to a single ticket.”](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024733_AI2.jpg "Breaking trips into multi-leg bookings “Check if booking [CITY A → CITY B] and [CITY B → CITY C] separately is cheaper than a direct ticket.” “Break down multi-leg routes from [CITY] to [CITY] that save money compared to a single ticket.”")
![Spotting flash sales and error fares “Any mistake fares or flash sales from [MY AIRPORT] this month?” This can surface forums, newsletters, and communities that track ultra-cheap or accidental fares.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024651_chatgpt.jpg "Spotting flash sales and error fares “Any mistake fares or flash sales from [MY AIRPORT] this month?” This can surface forums, newsletters, and communities that track ultra-cheap or accidental fares.")
![Building your own travel-hacking system “Create a checklist for checking error fares, flight alerts, and alternative airports.” “Suggest the best websites for setting fare alerts on [ROUTE].”](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250902024654_chatgpt2-2.jpg "Building your own travel-hacking system “Create a checklist for checking error fares, flight alerts, and alternative airports.” “Suggest the best websites for setting fare alerts on [ROUTE].”")
