Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Flight Finder® | Search and compare for cheap flights
Compare prices and airlines, read reviews and get the latest deals and promo codes to find your next flight for less.
As keen travellers ourselves, we love finding bargain flights and saving some money along the way.
We've got you covered across everything from the latest flight sales, comparing airlines and answering questions like "how to get upgraded on a flight?" and more below.
Cheap Flights compares flight deals from over 300 airlines and travel agents worldwide. Get 100% secure booking and catch the lowest fares for flights, accommodation and rental cars.
Founded in 2000, Wotif has grown into one of Australia's most popular sites for booking travel. It specialises in late and last minute deals, but also has options for future bookings.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
If you're booking flights for the future but worried border closures might affect your travel, Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar all have flexibility policies. Their various offers include things such as letting you change your travel dates or receiving a fare credit to be used at a later time.
Which airlines allow free checked bags?
Qantas, Rex Airlines and Virgin Australia all allow up to 23kg of checked luggage per person with their standard economy class fare.
Which airline has the cheapest baggage fees?
Squeezing just a little too much into your bag at the last minute before you head to the airport? Don't. Airlines have strict baggage weight limits and weigh every piece of checked luggage that boards the plane. If you're flying domestically in Australia, you can expect to find the following excess baggage fees.
Excess baggage fees by domestic airline:
Virgin Australia
$45 for each piece over your allowance
Qantas
$50 heavy charge for each piece over your allowance
$100 for each extra piece
Rex Airlines
$5.50 per kg over your allowance
Jetstar
$15 per kg over your allowance
Rex Airlines gives you the most wiggle room, penalising the least for excess weight.
If you want to avoid all the fuss and risk of extra charges at the airport, you can add additional baggage when you're booking or before you head to the airport.
Additional baggage price by domestic airline:
Virgin Australia
$45 per 23kg
Qantas
$50 per 23kg
Rex Airlines
$10 per 5kg
Jetstar
$21* per 15kg
$23* per 20kg
*Prices vary by route.
How do I get a flight upgrade?
It's the dream to buy economy and get bumped up to first class absolutely free, but how do you make that dream a reality?
While there's no hard and fast rule on how to score this holy grail, there are a few ways you can increase your chances of nabbing that premium economy, business or first class upgrade.
Here's how:
1. Join the frequent flyer program: Many luxury airlines like Qantas let you trade in your hard earned frequent flyer points for upgrades. This option might not be free, but this way you are guaranteed to get that upgrade on your flight. Also, it doesn't hurt to be part of the frequent flyer program to show that you have loyalty to the airline itself.
2. Bid in a flight upgrade auction: Again, this option might not be a freebie, but it does increase your chances of getting an upgrade for cheap. Many major airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines and Etihad let you "bid" for a seat in a more premium class. You nominate how much you're willing to pay and if you're the highest bidder before a designated period, you could win that premium seat. You might also like to look into bidding upgrade sites like Optiontown, which let you bid on certain benefits such as extra baggage allowance, lounge access and flatbeds on airlines including AirAsia X, SAS and Vietnam Airlines.
3. Download upgrade apps: Get notified as soon as possible so you can nab the limited number of discounted upgrades available. Due to launch later this year, Seatfrog is designed to notify those who have registered their flight with the app when the airline is offering discounted upgrades prior to departure. Those looking to step up a class can name their price through the app.
4. Don't go for the special meal: It might seem like an odd tip, but if you can deal with the options on the onboard menu, opt out of having a special meal. These meals are linked to your seat number, so airlines generally don't upgrade anyone who has nominated one.
5. Fly during quieter periods: During peak times you'll find that business flyers will fill up the business and first class seats leaving nothing for eager upgraders. Fly during quieter periods and you've automatically increased your chances of snatching up one of the spare seats on board.
6. Timing is everything: Be early or be late, they both have their benefits. If you're early then you could be the first one to be offered an upgraded seat. If you're late and you haven't been assigned a seat yet, then there's a chance that the flight has been overbooked for your class and you could be bumped up. Of course, being late has its negatives too, including missing your flight, having the upgrades take by those who arrived early or being bumped to the next flight because your flight is full. That's the risk you have to take.
7. Make an impression. There's a lot of advice going out about complaining about something, playing to the emotional side of the person at the counter or just generally being nice and complimenting them. We're leaving it on this list because some say it has worked for them. Feel free to try one or the other, however there's no guarantee it'll work.
8. Bump yourself off the plane: If the plane has been overbooked and you can sacrifice the waiting time, nominate yourself to be bumped off the plane on the provision that you be upgraded on the next flight. If the airline can accommodate for this request, they might very well honour it.
9. Dress to impress: Some people swear by this one and it can't hurt to look like you belong in first class when at the airline counter.
10. Don't let a delay get the better of you: Every time I've been upgraded, a flight delay has played a part. I haven't complained about the delay, I've either just been automatically given an upgraded ticket at the counter, or been called to the counter at the gate to exchange my ticket for one with a better seat. Make of that what you will.
11. Use your status: People with titles like Dr or Judge can sometimes be upgraded purely because of their status in society. The same goes for those with diplomatic passports.
Want to earn a free flight to almost anywhere in Australia?
These frequent flyer credit card offers can give you more than enough bonus points for a complimentary flight (minus applicable taxes) to almost any corner of the country from from major cities across Australia.
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points Discounted $295 first year annual fee
Offer may be withdrawn at any time
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
Up to $3000 bonus value on select flights, holidays and accommodations
Ends
Enjoy $1500 bonus value on 6-night Bali getaway, $3000 bonus value on Princess World cruises, up to $1040 savings on Vietnam roadtrip and more at Flight Centre. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Signup to get the latest offers, travel deals & more, and grab the chance win 1 of 20 Intrepid trips globally for two, plus return flights valued at $2,000 per person. T&Cs apply.
Book your flights from Sydney for as low as $115 at Kayak. Sample fare is Sydney to Ballina Byron via Jetstar. Other destinations include Ballina, Launceston, Melbourne, Coolangatta, Brisbane and more.
Available for booking on selected travel from 16 March 2024 - 28 July 2024. It includes a flight and stay for 5 nights at Paradise Resort Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 31 December 2023. Destinations include Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, Mt. Gambier, and Whyalla. T&Cs apply.
International flights from $299 on Virgin Australia
Available for travel until 15 September 2024. Sample fare departs from Melbourne to Queenstown. Destination includes Apia (Samoa), Denpasar (Bali), Tokyo (Haneda), Nadi (Fiji) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). T&Cs apply.
Fly direct from Australia starting at $255 with Air Niugini, Virgin Australia and Qantas, or hop on a connecting route with Philippine Airlines. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight to the USA available for travel on select dates at Air New Zealand. Destinations include Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago. Sample fare departs from Sydney to Honolulu. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight and discover the beauty of New Zealand from $549 at Emirates. Available for travel on select dates. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight and explore exciting adventures in Athens from $2219 at Emirates. Available for travel on select dates. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight and visit the beautiful place of London from $2059 at Emirates. Available for travel on select dates. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight and enjoy your special day in Dubai at Emirates. Available for travel on select dates. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight to Tahiti (Papeete) available for travel on select dates at Air New Zealand. Sample fare departs from Melbourne to Tahiti (Papeete). Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Book a flight to Rome and enjoy the beautiful attractions at Emirates. Available for travel on select dates. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Students get a 10% discount on flights, additional checked baggage allowance and a free booking change at Singapore Airlines. Must be KrisFlyer member who is currently enrolled at an eligible college or university. T&Cs apply.
Up to $300 on a 4-night stay at the 4-star Andaz West Hollywood including flights (optional)
Ends
Available for travel between 18 January 2024 - 22 February 2024. It includes 4 nights’ accommodation at the 4-star Andaz West Hollywood, return flights (optional), LA Lakers NBA tickets, and a 2-Day Go City pass. T&Cs apply.
Alex Keshen was Finder's senior travel and utilities publisher. Working in the online publishing space for more than 10 years, she has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post. After graduating from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada with a Bachelor of Journalism and settling into a career in publishing, Alex has become a master of maximising her annual leave and finding the best bargains around.
Heading from Sydney to Manila for work, I was concerned about entertainment for the 8-hour flight, but with a bit of preparation, the journey is just fine.
Hoping to fly the friendly skies but not sure where to start? Check out these nine sites to book flights online and find the best sales and deals available.
You may want to check our cruise deal Finder page. This page will give you an overview of the sites where you could book your cruise online. You may also head to our cruise sale Finder promo codes. Hope this helps!
You may head to our Cruise Deal Finder page to find and compare cheap cruise deals. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Guaranteed seats may come with a cost but for those who do not want to pay for the privilege of a good seat, it’s a good idea to make note of when the flight’s online check-in opens. The earlier you check-in for your flight, the sooner you’ll have your assigned seat.
Depending on the airline you want to fly with, please click on the green “Get deal” button above so you’d be redirected to the airline’s ticketing page. From there, you can book online and specify your flight details as well the number of passengers.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
Flight Centre
Agoda
Qatar Airways
Wotif
Kayak
AirAsia
Pay Later Travel
Skyscanner
Virgin Australia
Air New Zealand
Emirates
Singapore Airlines
Cheap Flights
Momondo
Cheaper cruise
Hi Jordon,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
You may want to check our cruise deal Finder page. This page will give you an overview of the sites where you could book your cruise online. You may also head to our cruise sale Finder promo codes. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for getting in touch!
You may head to our Cruise Deal Finder page to find and compare cheap cruise deals. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Nikki
How can I be sure I will get the seating I require for my wife and myself
Hi Ken,
Thanks for reaching out.
Guaranteed seats may come with a cost but for those who do not want to pay for the privilege of a good seat, it’s a good idea to make note of when the flight’s online check-in opens. The earlier you check-in for your flight, the sooner you’ll have your assigned seat.
You may view our tips on how to get the best airline seat.
Hope this helps,
Joanne
How do I book more than one person at a time
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Depending on the airline you want to fly with, please click on the green “Get deal” button above so you’d be redirected to the airline’s ticketing page. From there, you can book online and specify your flight details as well the number of passengers.
Cheers,
May
the site that you post up for the best flight are they reliable
Hi Rathany,
All the sites that we mention on our pages are legitimate websites that you can book your travels through.
Best,
Stephanie