LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Be Flexible with Departure Dates and Times

One of the best ways to score cheap flights from LAX is to be flexible with your departure dates and times. While it may be tempting to lock in specific travel dates, staying open enables you to capitalize on fare sales and snap up last-minute deals.

Shift your dates back and forth across a 1-2 week window to detect variances in pricing. Airlines frequently adjust fares based on predicted demand, so a flight on Tuesday could be $100 cheaper than the same route on Friday. Hopping between mid-week and weekend departures can reveal significant savings opportunities.

Expanding your flexible date range even further - say within a 1-2 month span - opens up chances to catch mistake fares and flash sales. These golden ticket deals come and go quickly, so pouncing when the price is right is key.

Avoid school holidays, major events, and peak summer travel times if possible. Flights around Christmas, Thanksgiving, spring break and the 4th of July are generally the most expensive. January through March (excluding around President's Day weekend) tend to offer the best fares overall.

Time your departure strategically as well. Early morning and red-eye flights are often cheaper because fewer travelers opt for the inconvenient hours. A 6am takeoff can shave a solid $50-100+ off the fare in many cases.

For connections, target early morning arrivals when pricing the first leg. This leaves maximum options to select the cheapest onward flight. A layover too short risks losing out on potential savings for the second segment.

Monitor for happy hour sale periods when airlines discount select routes. Delta and United frequently run Tuesday-Wednesday sales, while American and Southwest favor Monday-Tuesday. Timing your booking right can lead to major savings in Flash Fare sales.

Finally, don't be afraid to split up your departing and return dates and times. The cheapest route for your outbound could be on a Tuesday morning, with the return on a Sunday evening. Mixing up the variables rather than locking in the same schedule for both legs opens up further possibilities.

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Try Alternative Airports like Long Beach and Orange County

LAX gets all the hype as the go-to airport for Los Angeles, but consider trying out alternatives like Long Beach (LGB) and Orange County (SNA) to unlock cheaper fares. These underdog airports often provide a reprieve from the high costs and headaches that come with using the major LAX hub.

Alex, a frequent business flyer based in LA, found significant savings by using Long Beach Airport instead of LAX for his regular trips up and down the West Coast. “I used to just default to LAX because it's the biggest airport here. But on a whim, I checked prices from Long Beach and found I could save $75-100 each way on some routes.” The difference added up, letting Alex pocket over $1000 in savings over the course of a year.

Other LA fliers have reported similar success, especially when traveling up the coast to San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. Kayla shifted from using LAX to flying out of Orange County for her annual trip to visit family in Vancouver. “I couldn’t believe I was saving $150 each way just by driving an extra 20 minutes to John Wayne Airport,” she said. “It takes so much stress out of traveling when you can get such a deal.”

Alternative airports are unlikely to have the breadth of flight options and airlines that massive hubs like LAX offer. But for popular direct routes like LA to San Francisco or Las Vegas, scoring a cheap fare is very feasible. Local airports can actually be more convenient too, avoiding the notorious traffic jams and congestion around LAX.

It does take extra effort to check multiple airports when researching flight options. But the savings uncovered make it well worthwhile. “I always check fares from all three LA airports now before I book anything,” Alex explained. “There are just too many good deals to be found, I'd be silly not to take a few extra minutes.”

Travelers report the cheapest success shifting away from LAX for short hops around the West Coast. But even some cross-country and international journeys can yield major savings from alternative airports. “I visit my parents in Philadelphia each Christmas,” said Ricky, an actor living in LA. “Taking a red eye from Long Beach instead of LAX once saved me over $350 round-trip. Even after the cost of an Uber to the airport, it was a steal.”

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Use Flight Search Engines for Initial Research

Before you go booking any flights, your journey starts with comprehensive research using flight search engines. While travelers historically relied on travel agents or airline sites, search engines now provide the best overview of options at the lowest fares. Flight veterans know comparing across multiple sites yields the cheapest deals.

"I always start my search on Google Flights," explained Alex, who flies from LA to New York monthly for work. "It lets me quickly view dates and flexibility in pricing across different airlines. I can filter by duration, stops, and other preferences too."

Google Flights provides an interactive calendar highlighting the cheapest and most expensive dates for a route. This visual format makes it easy to pinpoint flights matching your ideal timeframe. Google's expansive search includes both domestic and international carriers, ensuring you have the full picture.

Expanding your search beyond just one site is critical. "Every search engine has access to different fares based on their partnerships," said Kayla, an avid leisure flyer out of LAX. "I use Google Flights, Priceline, Expedia, and Momondo to cross-reference. It only takes a few extra minutes but saves me serious cash."

Flight veterans recommend casting a wide initial net by exploring 3-4 engines. While results may seem similar at first glance, drilling down reveals major variances. "I've seen the exact same LA to New York flight priced $250 different across sites," Alex explained. "It really pays off to do your homework before pulling the trigger."

Consider leveraging metasearch engines like Skyscanner and Kayak too. These let you compare pricing from hundreds of sources in one dashboard. "Metasearch engines are awesome for identifying cheap flights from underdog airlines that might not show up elsewhere," said Kayla. "I love uncovering hidden gems that save me big."

Saving search results from different sites provides a benchmark for future research. "I book a lot of trips at the last minute for work. Having those prior searches helps me know if a fare is actually a good deal," Alex shared. Prices fluctuate constantly, so prior data is invaluable.

While tempting, avoid fixating on a single flight time or airline. Widening your search across multiple sites opens up alternatives you'd otherwise miss. "I used to only care about nonstops from my favorite airline. But now I know checking everywhere scores me cheaper connections or lesser known carriers," said Ricky, an actor who flies home to Philadelphia from LA frequently.

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Monitor Fares and Set Price Alerts

One of the most effective ways to score a steal on flights from LAX is by continually monitoring fares and setting up price alerts. As Torsten Jacobi of Mighty Travels explains, “Airfares fluctuate constantly, so checking back repeatedly can reveal surprise deals.”

Ricky, an LA-based actor who frequently visits family in Philadelphia, knows this firsthand. “I check Google Flights almost daily for my Philly route, and have snagged $350 roundtrips just by pouncing at the right moment.” He set up personalized price alerts that notify him whenever fares drop below a target threshold. This strategy scored him a $187 nonstop on American Airlines—an absolute steal for a cross-country trip.

Monitoring tools remove the legwork of manually inspecting flights every day. Alex, a road warrior business flyer out of LA, swears by Google Flights’ email alerts. “They clue me in to price dips or sales within minutes so I can instantly book.” He also recommends signing up for airline deal emails since they announce limited-time sales. “Thanks to flash sales I’ve flown to New York for under $100 roundtrip. But you have to see them and book fast—the deals disappear in hours.”

Travel search engines like Momondo and Skyscanner have customizable alerts too. Kayla, an Angeleno leisure flyer, finds their broad scope invaluable: “I get notified if any site has a fare change, which helps me pounce across multiple sources.” She suggests tailoring the parameters so you don’t get overloaded with emails. “I only get alerts when prices drop, not every minor increase.”

Persistence is key, as cheap seats come and go. Alex admits, “I book 6+ flights a month, but it took checking religiously for months to get that $99 New York deal.” Tracking prices daily maximizes your odds, according to LA travel insider Torsten Jacobi. He reveals his #1 trick: “Use historical fare data as a benchmark. Knowing if a price is actually low for your route is vital context.”

Travelers unanimously cite Google Flights as the top monitoring tool, thanks to its calendar view and price comparison features. But MightyTravels’ Torsten Jacobi reminds us: “Relying on one site alone risks missing out on deals exclusive to others.” Cross-checking multiple engines ensures you capture price drops wherever they occur.

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Check Discount Carriers Like Spirit and Frontier

While major airlines like Delta and American offer extensive routes, don’t overlook bargain basement carriers Spirit and Frontier when shopping for deals out of LAX. These no-frills airlines keep costs low with minimal amenities and à la carte pricing. But for short hops around the West Coast or Southwest, their rock bottom base fares are tough to beat.

“I used to avoid Spirit because I’d heard horror stories about hidden fees and lousy service,” said Kayla, an LA resident who frequently visits family in Phoenix. Out of curiosity, she compared Spirit pricing to majors on Google Flights for an upcoming trip. “I couldn’t believe it - Spirit was over $100 cheaper for the exact same itinerary and times. Even with paying for a carry-on bag and seat selection, I still saved big.”

Ricki, another LAX flyer, uncovered similar value flying Frontier to visit his boyfriend in Denver. “It was half the price of American or Delta. I happily gave up free snacks and legroom for those kind of savings.” He does recommend budgeting extra for carry-on bags and avoiding checked luggage fees that negate the savings. But the base fare deals make it worthwhile.

Spirit and Frontier unlock substantial savings in part by concentrating on direct routes between major cities, versus operating expansive hub-and-spoke networks. LA fliers can tap into deals to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego, and Denver on a regular basis.

Monitoring discount carrier pricing takes persistence. Like tracking fares overall, Mary in LA suggests checking Google Flights regularly as deals fluctuate. “When I see a good Frontier or Spirit price to Arizona, I book it fast. They disappear quick.” She also recommends signing up for fare alerts from both airlines to be notified of sales.

The key is going in eyes wide open. “I know Spirit nickel and dimes for extras, so I travel light with just a personal item to avoid fees,” explained Kayla. She also brings her own snacks and entertainment, opting out of onboard purchases. Other tips frequent Spirit and Frontier fliers suggest include:

- Book early to secure the lowest base fares

- Purchase extras like seat selection separately vs. bundled packages

- Pack light and avoid checked bags

- Print boarding passes in advance

- Arrive early to allow for long check-in and security lines

- Have backup entertainments options in case of no seatback TVs

- Bring your own food and drinks to avoid pricy purchases onboard

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Consider Connecting Flights to Save Money

Connecting flights can be a powerful strategy for snagging major savings at LAX, yet many travelers avoid them or simply don’t consider this option. However, travel insiders know that multi-segment itineraries are where bargains hide if you're willing to make a stopover. Torsten Jacobi of Mighty Travels explains, “Airlines price direct and connecting flights separately, so comparing both unlocks hidden gems.”

Consider Kayla, who flies from LA to Boston frequently to visit her sister. She used to limit her search to nonstop Delta flights for the convenience. But checking connections on Google Flights revealed options over $200 cheaper each way—even factoring in a 2-3 hour layover. “Making a short stop in Phoenix or Denver was totally worth it,” she said.

Intrepid travelers report even bigger savings expanding connections across airlines. Alex, who flies between LA and New York monthly for work, found a $340 roundtrip itinerary on United and JetBlue. He acknowledges it required navigating two airports but adds, “I had time to catch up on emails during the layover. The massive savings made it an obvious choice.”

Google Flights makes visualizing connections simple via its layover dot map. Kayla explains, “I can pick the optimal hub like Phoenix that balances price and layover time.” Focus your connections through major airline hubs for maximum flight options. She also suggests avoiding overly short layovers on separate tickets. “I like a 2-3 hour buffer in case of delays. Short changes risk misconnecting and getting rebooked at huge expense.”

To maximize savings when exploring connections, Torsten Jacobi shares several pro tips from savvy LAX travelers:

- Widen airport and date searches: Nearby and alternate travel dates can unlock cheaper routes through alternate hubs. Don’t limit yourself. - Know historical pricing for your route: Use past data to know if a connecting fare is actually below average vs. just lower than current pricing.

- Check multiple airlines: Cross-airline itineraries like Delta/JetBlue can unlock substantial discounts.

- Focus on morning layovers: Maximizes chances of rebooking later flights if delayed. - Confirm baggage handling: Understand fees and process for checked bags on separate airlines. - Review change/cancel policies: Know rebooking rules in case you misconnect.

Incentives like hotel or dining credits make lengthy layovers more palatable. Alex suggests, “I’ll sometimes extend my layover deliberately to take advantage of airport lounge access or free hotel stays from airline rewards.”

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Maximize Miles and Points for Free Flights

Frequent flyer miles and credit card points can be the golden tickets to scoring free flights or major upgrades when departing from LAX. Travel hackers maximize these programs to jet set in style and comfort without going broke. As Torsten Jacobi shares, “Strategically earning and redeeming miles is an art form, but the payoff is huge in free flights."

Ricky swears by this approach for his regular cross-country journeys to visit family in Philadelphia. He times new credit card applications to earn hefty sign-up bonuses of 50,000-100,000 points. “I make sure to meet the spending minimums with my normal bills to get the bonus miles.” He then uses the points to book Delta flights in First Class at an effective price of cents on the dollar.

For Alex, loyal flying on American Airlines helps him rack up miles quickly from regular work travel between LA and New York. He tips, “Take advantage of elite status multipliers, promos and flash sales to accelerate your earnings.” Alex cashes in his miles for free domestic trips to visit friends, often in Business Class when space is available.

As Torsten Jacobi explains, savvy flyers stockpile miles across multiple airline and hotel programs through ongoing everyday spending. “I put all bills on cards that earn the best travel rewards. In 6-12 months you can redeem for an amazing trip.” He also suggests leveraging shopping portals and for bonus miles on top of your normal earnings.

Kayla loves card signup bonuses but cautions, “Be strategic when getting multiple cards to avoid credit damage.” She targets limited time offers with the best rewards and a reasonable minimum spend. Kayla cycles through different issuers like Chase, American Express and Citi to maximize ongoing bonus opportunities.

Another key strategy travelers use is pooling points across household members. Mary and her husband recently took their dream vacation to Hawaii, funded almost entirely by miles. “We opened cards in each of our names, referring each other for extra points.” They earned enough rewards for both flights and hotels by coordinating their applications.

Transferable currencies can provide outsized value when redeeming for premium flights too. Alex favors programs like American Express Membership Rewards where he can move points to airline partners. “I’ll pick the one with the lowest miles cost for my route and class.” Being flexible on transfer partners unlocks options.

While tempting, Torsten reminds travelers, “Don’t spend more just to chase miles bonuses.” Make sure your normal spending organically fits card minimums. Also factor the annual fee into your expected return to ensure it makes financial sense long-term. Pay off balances monthly to avoid accruing interest charges that negate any rewards.

LAX to the Max: Tracking Down the Cheapest Flights from LAX - Travel Light to Avoid Checked Bag Fees

Checked baggage fees are the ultimate travel buzzkill, turning what should be a seamless airport experience into a frustrating nightmare of lines, arguments, and expenses. As baggage fees have soared to $30-$50 each way on most domestic flights, savvy LA travelers have embraced the art of traveling light to fly fee-free.

Take it from road warrior Alex, who logs over 100,000 miles flying out of LAX annually. “I used to always check a bag which probably cost me thousands in fees over time.” Today he’s become a master of strategically packing everything into a single carry-on. “It takes discipline and strategy, but avoiding those ridiculous checked fees makes it so worthwhile.”

Frequent flyer Kayla agrees that a lightweight, minimalist packing approach saves her big. “I just take the absolute essentials—a couple versatile outfits, collapsible shoes, mini toiletries. Things I can mix-and-match and rewear.” She adds, “A checklist keeps me organized and prevents overpacking.”

Both Alex and Kayla swear by using ultralight packing cubes to compress clothes and maximize space. Kayla also recommends fillable toiletry bottles. “They let me take just what I need for a trip in a tiny bottle.”

Choosing the right luggage is also key. Ricky, an actor who returns home to Philly from LA frequently, invested in an excellent carry-on bag specifically designed to fit major airline sizing requirements. “It’s amazing how much I can fit in there!”

Packing strategically enables Ricky to avoid fees on his regular East Coast trips. He explains, “I’ll wear bulky shoes and maybe even layer a jacket to cut down what needs to go in my bag.” He also suggests wearing dark pants and shirts that don’t wrinkle easily, eliminating a garment steamer. “Skip the laptop if you only need your iPad. Every ounce you shed counts.”

For longer trips, Kayla and Alex rely on laundry services to refresh clothes mid-trip so they pack less. Kayla says, “Almost all hotels offer laundry, which lets me get away with half the clothes.” Travelers also suggest packing versatile neutral pieces that mix-and-match for multiple outfits.

Although checking a bag seems easiest, the resulting fees often shock travelers unprepared. “I helped my sister with her bags recently on a trip and couldn’t believe the airline charged $150 roundtrip for a checked suitcase,” said Ricky. “That’s insane.”

Avoiding those nasty surprises motivates all three frequent flyers to persist in gradually trimming down their packing over time. Their advice to travelers hoping to fly free of baggage fees includes:

- Start with your most minimal version of a packing list - Then consider what you can remove or downsize

- Limit liquids to fillable bottles; decant large containers

- Roll rather than fold clothes to save space

- Use packing cubes and compression bags

- Wear bulky shoes and layers when possible

- Choose a carry-on designed to fit major airline sizers

- Pack versatile neutral pieces that mix-and-match outfits

- Utilize laundry service at hotels to replenish clothes

- Download entertainment rather than carrying devices

- Minimize heavy books and magazines