When planning a flight to another state or country it pays to compare airline prices. If you have to take a sudden flight you will likely end up paying more, but you will still want to compare pricing to make sure you get the best deal. Whether your flight is planned in advance or last minute, following a few key steps will help you to get the least expensive price.
Determine your itinerary options. If you are flexible on your dates and the time of day you're willing to travel, you may be able to get a lower price. For example, if you plan to leave on a Saturday you may get a lower-priced fare if you leave on a Thursday or Friday instead. You may also find a cheaper flight for early-morning departures instead of the afternoon or evening. You may also find lower fares if you are willing to travel to or from more than one airport. For instance, if you are traveling from New York City you can compare prices between leaving from JFK airport or Laguardia, since they are the closest to the city. Another option would be to search for flights leaving from other cities, such as the airport in nearby Newark, New Jersey. It may take extra time to get there, but you may save on airfare.
Look for published prices. A published price is one that is offered by the airlines. This is one of the most common ways that people compare airfare pricing. Websites such as Liberty, Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz are great places to compare airfare prices among various airlines. Choose one of the websites and input your destination and dates for departure and return. It will show you the lowest to the most expensive prices. There are different fare types and some have restrictions. For example, some discounted fares will have restrictions on dates that you travel or how long you must book in advance.
Contact a consolidator. There are consolidators that offer lower airfare pricing online and/or by phone such as STA Travel and Airline Consolidators (see Resources). Input the date and destination of your trip and it will show you the prices on various airlines, including Delta, Continental, and US Airways. These prices are usually cheaper than those that are published prices. Consolidators are brokers who purchase seats from airlines in bulk. This allows them to resell them at a cheaper cost. Published prices on Expedia, for example, list only the current airfare prices offered by the airlines.
Talk to your local travel agent. Tell the travel agent your destination and travel dates and whether you can be flexible. The agent can give you pricing on selected times and airlines. Compare airfare prices and decide which flight you prefer to take. This option can be especially useful when you are faced with a time crunch and prefer to have someone else handle the research.
