# Travel >> Transportation >> Air Travel

How do I Save Up to 80% on International Fares?

For many, traveling is one of life's sweetest pleasures: packing a bag, stepping on a plane and then emerging to marvel at the globe's bustling cities, humid rainforests, picturesque villages and other wonders. International travel is also a mainstay for businesses, whose employees must fly around the world to attract commercial partners, fine-tune deals or scout out new locations for expansion.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in the 2009, 149 million passengers made international flights, up from 134 million passengers making international flights in 2000. In 2005, the average international airfare spent by U.S. travelers was $1,424, according to the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.

Saving money on international fares may be important to some travelers, especially in challenging economic environments. Travelers hoping to save up to 80% on international airfares may take steps to save money.

Free travel websites
Travel websites with memberships
Rewards points

Instructions

- 1
  Enter desired travel destination and travel dates into a reliable international airfare website such as Kayak.com, as recommended by New York Times travel writer Matt Gross in his February 2010 "Frugal Traveler" column entitled, "Booking A Flight The Frugal Way." Gross recommends Kayak for its simplicity and capacity to search through other websites while scouring for deals such as 80 percent savings on international fares.
- 2
  Enter desired travel destination and travel dates into more complex but hard-working international fare websites including ITASoftware.com, according to Gross in another New York Times article entitled, "Research: The Traveler's Best Friend." Originally designed for the airline industry, ITASoftware offers search tools for 80 percent savings on international fares, but directs travelers to outside websites to purchase tickets.
- 3
  Enter desired travel destination and travel dates into international fare websites offering discounts in exchange for membership fees, according to Gross's article, "Travel Websites: A Click-On Showdown." Gross recommends cFares.com, which charges a $50 annual membership allowing members to receive rebates after purchasing tickets.
- 4
  Click on the fare offering up to 80 percent savings on international fares directly from the airline's website, Gross recommends. Regular travelers may then enter any additional promotional codes, coupons or rewards card information to receive extra discounts.