I'm a Travel Expert: 6 Smart Ways To Lower Summer 2026 Trip Costs
Your summer vacation may be particularly pricey this year.
An analysis of flight searches by Points Path users for flights between June 1 and Sept. 20 found that cash prices on domestic flight prices are up 15% year over year, while international flights are up 12%. Awards prices are even higher at 18% and 14%, respectively.
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But higher prices don’t mean you have to overpay. MoneyLion spoke with Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, to get his top tips to lower summer flight costs, from booking strategies to smarter travel dates. Here, in his own words, are six top tips for travelers in 2026.
1. Book Now, Then Keep Checking Fares
Your best summer travel booking strategy is to lock down a ticket now at the best airfare you can find, but then don't stop looking for better options. Most major carriers have dropped change and cancellation fees on all airfares except for basic economy. So keep watching even after you book, and if a better fare appears before your travel date, cancel and rebook to grab the discount.
2. Set Google Flights Price Alerts
Not everyone has time to check airfares every day, so use technology to do the work for you. Set a free fare alert in Google Flights on the same day you book and Google will email you when the price changes. If the price drops more than $50 to $100 on a domestic route, it's usually worth the few minutes it takes to rebook. And on international flights, even a modest percentage drop can translate to significant savings that more than justify the effort.
Airlines adjust prices constantly based on demand and fares do occasionally drop even in a high-cost summer like this one.
3. Choose Tuesday or Wednesday Departures
If you have flexibility in your travel plans, aiming for a midweek departure is one of the best ways to avoid overpaying this summer. Our data at Points Path shows Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest days to fly this summer, with Tuesday departures running about 17% cheaper than Sunday flights. On the flip side, Sundays and Mondays are the most expensive dates when you're planning a summer vacation.
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4. Travel in Mid-to-Late August If You Can
The cheapest stretch of summer is hiding in mid-to-late August. Eight of the 10 cheapest flight days between Memorial Day and Labor Day fall in August, clustered around the 1st through the 22nd, according to data at Points Path. So, if you can shift your trip into the late summer, you can meaningfully cut your airfare.
5. Compare Cash vs. Points Before You Redeem
Points fares are actually up more than cash fares this summer — 18% domestically versus 15% for cash and up 14% versus 12% for cash tickets on the international front. So if a points redemption isn't a clear win, consider paying cash and use a rewards credit card to earn flexible points you can transfer down the line to airline or hotel partners.
Sometimes the best play is to earn miles now and redeem them down the road.
6. Consider an International Upgrade If the Spread Is Small
There's a premium cabin sweet spot specifically on the international side. Domestically, there's no comparable relief valve — prices are up across all cabin classes. But for travelers willing to cross an ocean, the spread between economy and business class is tighter than it's been in recent summers, making an upgrade easier to justify.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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