Cheap Airfare Guide
Discount Airfare Tips
Tip 1: Book Your Flight Early
If possible book your flight about 3 months before you fly. The cheapest airfare tickets go first, and you want to buy one of them.
Tip 2: Flexibility Pays Off
If it's an option within your plans, be flexible with when you fly. Even a day earlier or a day later can save hundreds.
Tip 3: Shop Around
A little legwork can save you money. Shop for airfare on multiple travel sites. They often have different pricing plans or different airlines
Tip 4: Don't Fly Weekends
Everyone wants to fly weekends. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the three busiest days of the week. Avoid them, if possible.
Want even more tips? Visit our Top 10 Money Saving Airfare Tips page!
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Cheap Airfare Guide
Airfare is expensive, but it doesn't have to be! You're probably paying way too much for airfare currently. It's important to try and complete this guide in one sitting. The price of airline tickets change so rapidly, it's possible your best price ticket may be snapped up if you wait to long. Just follow the easy steps in this guide and become an informed consumer.
Step 1: Cheap Airfare Websites
Travel websites are the best place to start for flight tickets. The low cost of operating a website combined with the stiff competition means they can offer the best prices anywhere for cheap airfare.
The Big 5
There are 5 travel websites that book most airfare on the web. They all offer a ton of different cheap flights, so shop around at all of them.
Travelocity
Especially Good for: All Flights, Flexible Flight Dates
Orbitz
Especially Good for: All Flights, Flexible Flight Dates
Hotwire
Especially Good for: All Flights, Last Minute Deals
Expedia
Especially Good for: All Flights
Qixo
Especially Good for: All Flights
The Specialty Sites
These special websites can give great deals on specific situations. Shop around at the ones that apply to you!
Priceline
Especially Good for: Last Minute Deals, Negotiating Airfare
Travelzoo
Especially Good for: Last Minute Deals
Sidestep
Especially Good for: Last Minute Deals
Step 2: Check The Carrier Directly
Most of the time, you will have already found the cheapest airfare possible by shopping around in Step 1. Occasionally, however, the airline will have a better deal directly. This can be because of a promotion, airfare discount, or just better pricing on their website. Check the website of the airline you found in Step 1 to see. Here are some of the most common US based airline companies:
American AirlinesUnited Airlines
Delta Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
US Airways
Continental Airlines
If your airline is not listed, try searching for them in Google.
Step 3: Book your flight!
Congratulations! You have found the best rate! Hopefully, you've followed our advice and are doing all three steps in one sitting. If not, your airfare price may have changed. Go back to the place you found the best deal, and book your flight.
Enjoy your trip!