How I Found a $99 Flight to New York – My Step-by-Step Method

If you’ve ever searched for flights to New York, you know it’s not always cheap — especially if you’re booking last-minute or during peak travel seasons. So when I scored a round-trip ticket for just $99, I knew I had to share exactly how I did it. This wasn’t some once-in-a-lifetime glitch fare or a lucky coincidence — it was a mix of timing, smart tools, and a bit of flexibility. Here’s how you can replicate my strategy and snag your own ultra-cheap ticket to the Big Apple.

8/13/20252 min read

1. I Started With Flexible Dates

When I first searched for flights to New York, I didn’t have exact travel dates in mind. That’s key because airfare can vary dramatically depending on the day you fly.

Using Google Flights, I searched for “Month view” from my home airport to NYC. That way, I could see the lowest fare for every day in the month.

On weekends, prices shot up to $240–$280.
Midweek (Tuesdays & Wednesdays), fares dropped as low as $110.

That’s where my hunt began.

2. I Checked Multiple NYC Airports

New York has three major airports:

JFK (John F. Kennedy International)
LGA (LaGuardia)
EWR (Newark Liberty International)

By searching “NYC” instead of a single airport, I gave myself more options. The $99 ticket I found was actually to Newark, not JFK. Since Newark is still connected to Manhattan by train, it was a no-brainer.

3. I Used Flight Deal Alerts

I’ve been subscribed to a couple of free flight deal newsletters:

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
Secret Flying
Airfarewatchdog

One morning, I got an email alert for a Newark round-trip from my city for $99 on Spirit Airlines. I knew these fares don’t last long, so I booked within 30 minutes.

4. I Was Flexible With My Departure Time

The cheapest fare wasn’t at a prime time — it was an early-morning departure. Honestly, I didn’t mind, because it meant:

Cheaper Uber to the airport (less traffic surge)
More time to explore NYC on arrival day

Being willing to take early or late flights can save you $50–$100 easily.

5. I Traveled Light

Budget airlines often lure you in with low fares, then hit you with baggage fees. For this trip, I packed only a personal item backpack that fit under the seat. That meant:

No carry-on fee
No checked bag fee
Zero extra costs

If you can travel light, you can keep that $99 fare truly $99.

6. I Used Points to Cover Seat Selection

Even though the flight was dirt-cheap, I had some airline credit card points left. I used them to upgrade my seat without spending any cash. This is a great way to make a budget flight more comfortable without breaking the bank.

7. The Final Booking Breakdown

Base Fare: $99 round-trip
Baggage Fees: $0 (personal item only)
Seat Upgrade: Free (points)
Total Paid: $99

Bonus Tip – How You Can Find Similar Deals

Be flexible with dates – Avoid Fridays, Sundays, and holidays.
Search all NYC airports – Don’t limit yourself to JFK only.
Set alerts – Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Going.
Book fast – The cheapest deals often vanish in under 24 hours.
Consider budget airlines – Spirit, Frontier, and JetBlue often run flash sales.

Final Thoughts

Scoring a $99 flight to New York isn’t magic — it’s about knowing where to look, being flexible, and booking quickly. With the right approach, you can fly to one of the most exciting cities in the world for less than the cost of a night out.

Now, my only problem? Deciding whether my first stop should be pizza in Brooklyn or a walk through Central Park.