Airfare changes all the time. Since many carriers now let you change non‑basic economy tickets for free, you can often get money back as a refund or a travel credit by rebooking when the price drops. The more you travel, the harder it is to remember to reprice and rebook, so we rounded up tools that make it simple without you watching fares every hour.
Use A Service That Saves Money For You
The easiest way to lock in savings is to let a service do the work. These options watch your reservations, look for lower fares, and help you claim credits so you do not miss out while you are busy. Set them up once and they continue to scan for price drops in the background.
JetBack
With the relatively new JetBack app, you forward your itinerary and the JetBack team takes it from there. The service monitors eligible flights for price drops and, when a lower fare appears, files a claim with the airline to request a credit for the difference. Coverage includes flights ticketed on several large U.S. carriers, including itineraries that involve partner airlines when ticketing rules allow it.
JetBack uses a simple price model. You pay an annual fee that currently lists at 100 dollars for unlimited flight credit attempts. That may not make sense if you fly once or twice a year, but frequent travelers can easily offset the subscription with cumulative savings across multiple trips.
There are limits to keep in mind. To use a JetBack subscription, your name must be on the reservation, so you cannot apply it to friends or family unless you are traveling with them on the same booking. If you worry that giving access to a third party might conflict with a carrier’s rules, JetBack notes that it designs its process with airline policies in mind, but you should review current terms yourself before you proceed.
Autopilot
Autopilot makes saving even easier by importing your flights automatically once you link your email. You can also forward confirmation emails or add trips manually. Any time your fare drops by at least about 20 dollars, Autopilot will rebook you into the same fare class so your inclusions remain consistent.
You can choose how you pay. The success‑based plan charges a 25 percent commission on whatever you save. The Pro plan costs about 9.99 per month or 99 per year and reduces the fee to 15 percent while adding extra features. Pro users can also pursue rebates on award bookings, which can put points back into their accounts when a lower redemption value appears.
Autopilot currently focuses on eligible fares other than basic economy with several major U.S. airlines. You can use it for your loved ones’ tickets, but any airline credits are issued in the traveler’s own name. The company also indicates that it has accounted for airline policies in its process.
pAiback
Another option is pAiback, which uses artificial intelligence to spot post‑purchase savings and get you money back. You book directly with the airline and either forward your confirmation email to pAiback or link your inbox so receipts sync automatically. If the price drops, the pAiback team works with the airline to place an eCredit into your airline account without changing your flight, seat, or confirmation number.
pAiback does not require a subscription. Instead, you pay a commission of about 20 percent of the savings, and only when it succeeds. You can also watch your flight’s price inside your pAiback account and set preferences to receive upgrade notifications when a better seat becomes available. Current coverage includes tickets on several major U.S. carriers that originate within the United States.
Get Price Drop Protection
Another low‑effort way to get money back is to add price drop protection to eligible bookings. These tools compare what you paid to later fares and help refund the difference when the rules are met.
Paid Price Drop Protection
Some large travel sites and search tools offer optional price drop protection for a fee. Terms vary by platform. For example, if you add a site’s price drop protection, the service will check your fare at set intervals until you fly and, if it finds a lower price that qualifies, automatically refund the difference after your trip ends.
You will pay extra for protection, and a refund is not guaranteed. Always compare the fee to your ticket price and the route’s volatility. As a reference point from a recent example, a site quoted a 17 dollar protection fee on a 249 dollar fare. If you add protection to many trips, a flat‑fee subscription that files credits year‑round could be more cost‑effective.
Automate Your Search
You can also reprice and rebook yourself to avoid success fees. Automation is the secret because very few people have time to refresh fares every day. Price alerts and trip monitors tell you when to act so you can secure the lower price and keep your preferred flight details when possible.
Google Flights And Other Booking Sites
Many search engines and booking platforms let you set free price alerts. In Google Flights, you can filter for your exact flight or a range that fits your needs, then toggle tracking to receive email updates when prices move for your dates. If you are flexible, you can also select Any Dates to be notified whenever a relatively low price appears for that route.
Other sites with price alerts, including popular online travel agencies and metasearch tools, work in a similar way. Use them together for broader coverage. When you see a drop, confirm that the fare class matches your current ticket before you rebook so your bags, seats, and change rules stay the same.
TripIt Pro
TripIt’s Pro tier adds price tracking for flights you have already booked. Forward your confirmation or let TripIt import it automatically, and the app will alert you if it detects a lower price on that same flight. This can be simpler than building filters because the app already knows your airline, flight number, and departure time.
If you value Pro’s other features, such as better seat availability notices and check‑in reminders, the about 49 dollar annual price can make sense. If you only want alerts, compare the fee to free alternatives and pick what fits your routine.
Best Cards with Special Offers
Make Every Fare Drop Count
The tools above make it easier to capture savings and put money back in your wallet. Even a single twenty‑dollar drop adds up quickly if you fly often. Decide how hands‑off you want to be and choose the option that matches your travel pattern.
If you travel a lot, a subscription or success‑based service can be worth it. If you fly occasionally, free alerts with the occasional paid protection on volatile routes may do the trick. Always review the latest airline rules and platform terms before you make changes so you keep your seat, inclusions, and confirmation intact.
Join Our Free TheMilesAcademy Community
If you want ongoing help turning fare drops into real savings, join our free TheMilesAcademy community. We share step‑by‑step playbooks for setting price alerts, sample messages for requesting credits, and weekly reminders so you never miss a reprice window. You will also find travelers comparing routes and timelines, which makes it easier to decide when to add protection or when to wait for a lower fare.
To stretch your travel budget even further, try our free card finder tool. It helps you match everyday spending to the right mix of cards so you can earn more points for future trips without extra effort. Pair strong earnings with the flight‑repricing tools in this guide and you will save now and travel more later.
