Remember when you booked that flight to Europe, then watched helplessly as the price dropped $300 the following week? Or discovering your coworker scored the same vacation package for half what you paid? Those travel wallet-punch moments don’t have to be your reality anymore. The right deal alert services can turn you into that savvy friend who always seems to snag amazing fares before they disappear.

After testing numerous flight and travel deal services, here are the ones that consistently deliver real savings worth celebrating – not inbox clutter that makes you feel like you’re missing out on everything.

Flight Deal Alert Champions

Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Going sends curated flight deals to your inbox based on your chosen departure airports. Rather than tracking specific routes, Going’s team hunts for unexpected bargains and alerts you when prices drop dramatically – perfect when you’re flexible about destinations.

Their free Limited membership covers up to five airports with monthly international economy deals. Premium membership costs $49 annually and includes domestic flights, weekend getaways, and those coveted mistake fares from your home airport. Most members save an average of $550 on international flights with quality itineraries from reputable airlines.

Thrifty Traveler

Thrifty Traveler searches more than 200 U.S. and Canadian airports – more coverage than any other flight deal service. Their free alerts save at least $250 off normal prices, with recent examples including dirt-cheap fares to Europe for $400 roundtrip and bargain flights to Mexico’s new Tulum airport.

These aren’t last-minute deals on budget airlines but discounted fares on full-service carriers for travel as far out as April 2026. Premium members get 10x more deals plus points and miles redemptions.

Daily Drop Pro

For points and miles enthusiasts, Daily Drop Pro searches United, American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, and international partners for award redemptions that can save up to 80%. Their Limited membership is free, while Pro costs $149 annually and includes business class alerts plus detailed destination preferences.

Price Tracking Powerhouses

Google Flights

Don’t overlook the simple brilliance of Google Flights’ price tracking. Just enter your search criteria and click the “Track prices” toggle to receive price alerts and travel tips by email. The color-coded calendar makes spotting cheap travel dates effortless, and you can track multiple routes simultaneously.

Kayak Price Alerts

Kayak uses data to predict what will happen to prices in the next few days, then keeps you updated via email and push notifications about when to book. You can set specific date alerts or flexible alerts when you care more about price than timing.

Hopper App

Hopper claims 95% accuracy in predicting flight prices up to a year in advance. The app saves an average of $50 on domestic flights and $120 on international flights per user. You can “watch” trips and get notified when prices drop, plus use their Price Freeze feature to lock in rates for a small fee.

The Mistake Fare Specialists

Secret Flying

Secret Flying focuses exclusively on mistake fares and pricing errors from around the world. Of approximately 450 error fares they’ve published, about 85% have been honored by airlines.

The service is completely free and covers global departure points – not just U.S. cities. Recent examples include business class flights from Italy to Kenya for €536 roundtrip and $58 flights from New York to London. The catch? You need to book immediately when alerts arrive, as mistake fares can disappear within hours.

Smart Setup Strategies

When signing up for multiple services, resist the urge to select every nearby airport. Start with your primary departure city and maybe one convenient alternative. Too many alerts become noise, and you’ll miss truly spectacular deals.

Consider your travel style when choosing services. If you prefer planning trips around great deals rather than specific destinations, Going and Thrifty Traveler excel at surprise bargains. For tracking particular routes you’re already considering, Google Flights and Kayak work beautifully.

Set up payment methods in advance, keep your passport current, and maintain some flexibility with dates. Those $300 flights to Paris won’t wait while you hunt for your credit card or realize your passport expired last month. The best deal alert service is worthless if you can’t book when that perfect fare appears.