These days, it seems as though it's common knowledge that if you need to fly somewhere it is going to cost you way more than you are willing to spend. A round-trip airline ticket can cost you hundreds of dollars and that's only for one person! Taking a family vacation can be a financial nightmare if you don't know exactly how to find the best deals. Below is a quick guide to finding dirt cheap airline tickets.
1. Buy Way in Advance
You can count on ticket prices climbing around peak traveling periods such as Christmas. Airlines usually hike up the prices 21 days, then 14, then 7 and finally, 3 days before each flight. Grabbing a ticket early enough allows you to steer clear of price inflation. If you are planning on flying internationally you will need to book your flight even earlier, up to six months earlier.
2. Last Minute Deals
It's always good to purchase tickets in advance but if you are lucky you may be able to snag a great last minute deal if the airline still has a lot of room left on their planes. Some airlines put out weekly newsletters which contain all their best last minute deals. Web sites like Last Minute Travel can also help you find all the latest last minute airline deals.
3. Do Your Homework
Shop around for the best deals possible; don't just go with the first fare that comes up. Compare prices using one of the major online traveling services such as Travelocity or Expedia. Also try aggregator web sites such as Kayak. Using these services can help you find the best rate possible for your particular trip. While you're there you can check around to see if any airlines are running specials or promotions that you may be interested in.
4. Knowing When to Buy
It can be easy to track the rising and falling prices of airline fares but actually knowing when to buy is tricky. A great resource for those flying in Farecast the United States, the tariff provides forecasts for 75 cities. All you have to do is give your itinerary information and Farecast will tell you now whether now or wait it out, depending on the type of charge is expected to increase or decrease.
Another important way to know, now, when, by the fact that many airlines set fares each week on Tuesday and Wednesday. So if you can book these days have a better chance of snagging a gooddeal.
5. Go with Discounters
They may not be as popular or even an airline you have heard for that matter, but the truth is that you can save yourself a ton of money by ditching the major airlines and opting for a discounter. These airlines are a little harder to find but they are gaining more popularity on booking web sites and feed aggregators.
It's easy to find dirt cheap airline tickets if you know where to look and when to book. Heed these tips every time you fly you save a bundle.