Field notes
What the data actually says about when to book.
We record every fare we watch and keep it forever. These are the things that turned out to be true — including the ones we expected to go the other way.
Is basic economy actually cheaper? When the lowest fare isn't the lowest price
The cheapest fare on the screen is often basic economy, and it can cost more than the fare above it. Here's how to compare what you'll actually pay.
Is a round trip cheaper than two one-way tickets? It depends where you fly
On some routes a round trip is two one-ways added up; on others a one-way costs nearly as much as both. Here's how to tell, and what to watch for.
Are flight price alerts worth it? What separates a useful alert from noise
Most price alerts tell you a fare changed. That's not the same as telling you it's good. Here's what to look for in an alert before it trains you to ignore it.
Do flight prices drop closer to departure? Why last-minute deals are the exception
Last-minute fare drops are real, which is why waiting for one feels reasonable. Here's why they're the exception on most routes, and what to do instead.
How far in advance should you book a flight? It depends on the route
Every single-number booking rule averages thousands of routes into a figure that fits none of them. Here's how to find where your route's fares start to climb.
Flexible dates: what "shift two days and save $140" actually compares
With a flexible window we price several dates for you. Here's what the date-shift line in an alert compares — and why it isn't the biggest number we could show.
Do flight prices go up the more you search? The incognito myth
Clear your cookies, open a private window, never search twice. Here's what really moves a fare between two searches — and it isn't you looking.
Why we don't score hotels or vacation packages
The pull to add hotels is real — better commissions, an obvious next question from users. We turned it down anyway, and the reasons are structural, not a matter of not getting to it yet.
Why we refuse to score 40% of the routes people ask us to watch
A thin price history produces a confident-looking number that is worse than silence. Here is exactly what our confidence gate rejects, and why we set it where we did.
Is this flight price actually good? What "26% below typical" means
Most "cheap flight" claims compare against an average full of flights nothing like yours. The honest test: same route, same month, same booking window.
Reading about fares is less useful than watching one.
Give us a route. We’ll tell you when it’s worth booking.