Finding cheap airfares is not a secret. Here are 8 great time-honored, practical, common sense techniques for getting cheaper airfares EVERY time.
- Be Flexible. The most important factor for getting cheap airfares is flexibility. When possible, check alternate airports, a range of days and times, several airlines, and various routings. Opportunities for cheap airfares increase when you have more options.
- Buy Early. Most cheap airfares must be purchased several days (usually 21 or 14) before the flight. However, the absolute cheapest airfares are sold during fare wars (sales), which may be several months before you want to fly. For instance, the cheapest summer flights to Europe are traditionally sold between the previous Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Buy Late. Many airlines offer distressed inventory as last-minute airfares. They rarely match the cheapest airfares offered during fare sales but can be great deals for emergency flights or impulse trips.
- Surf Global, Buy Local. Compare fares on major booking web sites with the airline’s web site. My favorite starting point is usually ITA or Kayak. The airline’s airfare might be lower or include bonus frequent flyer points. Not all booking web sites include all airlines. Register to receive e-mail notifications from each airline–or Airfarewatchdog or Smarter Travel; they compile airfares from all airlines for most cities. Many web sites notify subscribers by e-mail when fares drop.
- Use a Travel Agent. Travel agents usually save you time and stress and often save you money. They may sell consolidator fares and charter flights that are not available to consumers.
- Book Direct. Some web sites do not offer senior, children, or group discounts–but the airline might over the phone. Keep in mind Step 1, Be Flexible, when calling airlines for fare quotes.
- Pay Less, Get More. Packages–lodging, rental car, and/or meals in addition to the flight–might cost a little more or even LESS than the airfare alone. Each winter, packages (including seven nights lodging and rental car) to Australia and other South Pacific destinations cost only $100 more than the airfare. Package prices do not increase as the departure date approaches and a Saturday night stay is not required, making packages ideal for last-minute travelers.
- Airfare Ploys. Big savings can result from splitting long flights into two separate round-trip flights. You can even choose to create a stopover and use different airlines. Cheaper airfares or more convenient flights may be found when using co-terminals (different airports in the same city or area). Open jaw, charter, courier, consolidator, or round-the-world flights are other strategies that result in cheaper airfares in some situations.
For frequent travel deals, follow me on Facebook (McCool Travel) and Twitter (@CharlesMcCool).© 2011, Charles McCool
