Increases in overall travel costs make cheap airline tickets seem like a lost treasure, but airline deals are still available if you're willing to put in a little time to find them. The airfare for any given flight fluctuates frequently, even changing during the course of a single day. Understanding the factors that affect airfare pricing helps you determine when to purchase your next airline ticket.
Finding the cheapest airline ticket requires monitoring the prices through various outlets. Search at different times of the day to catch price changes; early morning searches allow you to find deals released overnight. Booking your flight early in the week often results in cheaper airfares. If you make your reservations roughly six to eight weeks prior to travel, you often get the best price, but buying even earlier may save you money, particularly during heavy travel times like holidays. For other trips, you might find a cheap last-minute ticket. Starting your search early and tracking the prices allow you to recognize price drops. Use travel comparison sites such as Farecompare.com and AirfareWatchdog.com to search across multiple airlines at once. However, these sites don't search every airline; discount airlines often require consumers to purchase directly from them.
The timing of your flight affects how much you'll pay for the ticket. Midweek flights often cost less, while weekend flights are at a higher rate since more travelers fly on those days. Flights that leave early in the morning usually cost less than flights later in the day. Flexibility in your departure and return dates and times allows you to find the lowest airfares possible. Search for different flight times and dates that fit within your window to save money.
Discount airlines like JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant and AirTran typically offer lower airfares than the major airlines. If you're more concerned about saving money than extras on the flight, try one of these airlines. The planes sometimes have less space and stripped-down amenities, but you'll get to your destination with more money in your pocket. Instead of only searching for round-trip tickets with these airlines, search for separate one-way flights on different airlines. Another option is to look at alternative airports. Check airfares to other airports near your destination city to find a lower airfare. Allowing at least one layover during the trip instead of choosing a direct flight also saves money.
A variety of online tools alert you to deals and help choose the best time to purchase your tickets. The Price Predictor on Bing.com predicts if the prices for a particular flight might change in the next week. AirfareWatchdog, ITA Software, Yapta and Fare Compare are sites that track fares. Another option is to sign up for email newsletters directly through airlines and travel comparison sites, which alert you when a deal is available.
If you travel often, joining a frequent flyer program allows you to earn points for free airline tickets and rewards. The airlines sometimes offer double or triple miles for certain flights, allowing you to earn free flights faster. Most airlines also offer credit cards that earn you miles even when you don't fly. Making purchases at partner stores increase the miles earned. The accrued miles make travel cheaper on future flights.
