Since 2004, average airfares have been increasing faster than inflation, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. As gas prices have increased, airlines have raised air fares and fees even more. However, there are some steps passengers can take to help them find and book the lowest fares possible.
If your dates aren't flexible, plan as far ahead as possible--last-minute tickets are more expensive. If your dates are flexible, then you have more leeway since being able to adjust departure and arrival dates can save you money. Include a Saturday night (weekday travelers pay more). Avoid Mondays and Fridays, especially early mornings and late afternoons which are peak business travel periods, and consider traveling during odd hours, such as red-eye flights. Also, flying on holidays such as Christmas Day can be money-savers. If you're traveling to popular tourist destinations or overseas, fly during the off-season when demand is lower.
Try alternate airports within range of your destination, as they may be cheaper. Buying separate tickets for each leg of the trip can save you money, but beware of short turnaround times which can make you miss your next flight. Also, if you're flying to popular destinations, consider package deals that include hotel and even rental car, as they often include better airfares than you could purchase singly.
There are many airfare aggregate websites you can use for ticket price comparisons. Try those listed on EyeFlare's online travel consolidators page, Eyeflare.com/article/online-travel-consolidators, or start with a site like Airfarewatchdog.com where you can search by destination. Sometimes the best fares are provided on the airline's own website, so be sure and check those, too. Some airlines, like Southwest, don't allow their prices to be included on the consolidator websites, so you can only purchase them via the airline's own site.
Airline promo codes are one insider tip many frequent travelers use to save money on tickets. You will see a box to input the codes on most airfare websites. These promo codes are usually only available via the airline's own websites (also Airfarewatchdog.com) and come in three categories: available online for anyone to use and widely publicized; email offers for registered shoppers for those airlines; exclusive offers offered via widget devices, such as Southwest's DING! and American's DealFinder. Check each individual airline site for such widgets and ways to become registered members to receive email specials and newsletters.
Sign up for frequent-flyer programs. If you're a senior, check with individual airlines to see if they have discounted tickets and also AARP, which has additional resources. Also, some airlines have youth discounts for students. If all else fails, try a human being: sometimes booking with an online agent, especially with complex multi-route itineraries, can save you money. Or try a travel agent, especially one who specializes in your destination or in airfare pricing. Another thing to look out for are added fees: bring your own drinks and snacks (purchased after the security checkpoint only); either pack only one carry-on or no more than one checked bag; bring your own travel pillow or headset (or portable music player).
