Whether you’re a Motor City native coming home for a visit or an explorer seeking to discover Detroit’s revitalized downtown and thriving arts scene, scoring a low airfare is key to stretching your travel budget. While this vibrant city was once an affordable flight away, rising demand and reduced routes have caused ticket prices to creep up in recent years. But never fear – with some savvy planning and strategy, it’s still very possible to uncover deeply discounted fares and double dip on savings through rewards programs. Here are some insider tips for landing cheap flights to Detroit.
When to Book for the Best Deals Like many domestic destinations, flights to Detroit follow a seasonal pricing pattern tied to demand and school schedules. The most expensive times to fly are typically around major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break. Fares start rising 6-8 weeks out from these peak periods.
For the biggest savings, flexibility is key. The cheapest flights are usually available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. And the prime booking window for discounted Detroit fares is around 2-3 months prior to travel. Set fare alerts and jump on deals during this golden period.
Look for Price Drops Even if you’ve already booked your Detroit flights, keep a close eye on prices post-booking. Many airlines and online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline will allow you to re-book or “cancel trip” at the lower rate if prices drop after your initial purchase – you’ll get the difference refunded back to your original form of payment. Just make sure you monitor carefully and rebook quickly, as these low fares don’t last long.
Stack Airfare Deals with Rewards Why just book a cheap fare when you can compound those savings by putting those ticket costs towards valuable rewards? By funneling airfare purchases through the right combination of travel loyalty programs and credit cards, it’s possible to earn a heap of points and miles to use towards future Detroit trips and other travel splurges.
One of the savviest stacking strategies is booking discounted Detroit fares through an online travel portal like the Chase Travel Portal or AmexTravel.com, where you’ll earn bonus points if you have cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card from American Express. Since these portals often have lower rates than booking direct, you’re saving on the initial fare and banking major points at the same time.
You can also combine airline loyalty programs and credit card rewards programs when booking flights to double dip your earnings. For instance, book a Delta fare using your Delta SkyMiles number to earn miles for that flight, but put the charge on a credit card that earns flexible rewards Capital One Venture miles. You’re earning currency from both programs.
Play the Long Game While the above strategies can net significant upfront savings, pursuing airline elite status and holding the corresponding co-branded airline credit card can unlock even cheaper fares to Detroit in the long run. Having elite status with airlines like Delta and United that service Detroit Metro Airport comes with benefits like complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and most importantly – lower-priced economy fares only available to elite members.
Getting to elite levels requires strategically amassing lots of miles through a combination of paid flights and spending on co-branded credit cards like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or United Explorer Card, which earn bonus miles for purchases. Once you have status, insider fares not available to regular travelers become available, allowing you to save hundreds on premium routes to Detroit.
It’s all about playing the long game, but the payoff for Detroit frequent flyers can be huge in terms of upfront savings and back-end elite perks.
Search Those Budget Carriers With legacy airlines increasingly focusing on major hubs, bargain hunters may find the best deals to Detroit originate from budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier. Don’t immediately dismiss these no-frills airlines – factor in the trade-offs and do the math.
While their bare-bones fares are enticing, budget airlines do nickel-and-dime for virtually everything from advanced seat assignments and carry-on bags to bottled water. On shorter flights, the sacrifices may be worthwhile to save $100+ over major competitors. But if you plan to check bags or want free snacks/entertainment, sticking with traditional airlines could be a smarter bet.
Detroit has also become a focus city for budget airline startup Avelo, which offers ultra low-cost nonstop flights from smaller regional airports. Keep Avelo in mind if you’re open to originating from alternative airports to save significantly.
Bottom line – don’t immediately write off those pocket-friendly base fares from Spirit, Frontier or Avelo. Run all the numbers carefully and weigh the fees against savings to decide if budget carriers are worth it for your Detroit trip needs.
With its revitalized riverside downtown, proud automotive heritage, and innovative food and arts scene, Detroit has emerged as one of America’s most dynamic urban destinations. And thanks to the above strategies, you can soak up all the culture and flavor of the Motor City while saving significantly on your airfare. From scoring deeply discounted fares to doubling up on travel rewards points, this vibrant city is closer and more accessible than ever before for savvy travelers willing to put in a little extra work upfront. Book smart and enjoy Detroit to the fullest!