Want to Get a Deal on Your Next Flight? Don't Ignore This Free Tool

Image source: Getty Images

I enjoy traveling, but I also like saving money. Before booking travel arrangements, I always look for opportunities to score a good deal. Thankfully, plenty of online tools can help you keep your flight spending in check. I'll share a free tool that could help you get a better deal on your next flight.

Google Flights can help you find the best flight deals

If you have yet to use Google Flights, you're missing out. It's free and makes it easy to search for flights and compare airfare prices across multiple carriers. You can narrow your search results to meet your specific needs -- such as searching for only nonstop flights or premium economy flights.

Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards

I like to use this resource before booking flights to ensure I only pay what is necessary. Not having to manually review each airline's website for pricing information is a time saver. While many other airfare price comparison tools exist, this one is robust and user-friendly.

My favorite features are the date grid and price graph. You can view airfare prices by date to determine which days are the best to fly in and out to keep more money in your checking account . These pricing features are even more helpful if you have a flexible schedule. I like to play around with potential dates before I book tickets to save as much money as possible.

Do this to find the best flight prices around the world

You're in luck if you have not yet decided on a vacation destination. Google Flights has a feature that allows you to search for flights without a chosen destination. One option is to search "Anywhere" as your destination. Google Flights will display flight prices for various destinations worldwide. This makes finding a more affordable place to visit for your next trip easy.

Another option is to search by region. For example, I can search an entire country, like the United States, or an entire region, like Europe. I can then find affordable flights in these areas. For those who love to travel, this can be an exciting way to choose their next destination. Since Google Flights makes it easy to filter flights by prices, travelers can book incredible flight deals.

I use this feature when I haven't yet decided on a particular vacation destination. I still have plenty of new-to-me places to check off my bucket list, and if I can visit somewhere new and get a great deal, it is a significant win. I plan to use Google Flights to finish planning the details of a late summer vacation, and I'm excited to see where I'll be going.

Earn rewards with the right credit card

Before finalizing travel arrangements, determine the best payment method to use. You can earn valuable rewards with a rewards credit card . Many travelers use travel credit cards to get rewarded for their travel purchases. You can redeem your rewards for hotel stays and flights in the future.This is a smart money move because it can make travel more affordable.

Are you interested in earning miles or points to use for travel? You can review our list of the best travel rewards credit cards to learn more. If you want to earn cash rewards instead, a cash back credit card is another option. Take a look at our top cash back credit card picks to discover the best feature of each card on our list.

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .