The chief execuive of FareCompare.com, Rick Seaney, recommends that travelers shop for flights three to four months prior to departure to obtain the best price on flights. This is when flights are typically at their lowest price. If you are flying internationally you should shop four to five months before departure. Waiting too long will result in airfare prices' rising due to supply and demand.
Before committing to a ticket you should always comparison shop. Most people are under the misconception that travel websites offer discounted prices on airfare, but there are times when you will find less expensive airline tickets purchasing directly through your airline. Check rates on airfare on multiple airlines and from multiple airports. For example, if you are flying to New York City you might check the prices flying to and from the three main airports in the NYC area -- JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty. You might find that you'll save a significant amount of money flying into one airport rather than the other two.
If your travel plans don't require that you travel on a certain day, don't. Check airfare prices to and from your destinations on different days. If you want to spend a week in Hawaii consider traveling Monday to Monday rather than Saturday to Saturday. Seaney recommends flying on Wednesdays, as they are the least expensive day for airline tickets.
If your travel plans are for pleasure rather than business, consider your destination's off season. Check with your destination's travel authority to find out when the peak travel season is and avoid visiting during those months. Off-season prices are significantly lower than peak-season prices. As a bonus, airline tickets are not the only prices that drop during the off season; hotel, rental car and activity prices at your vacation destination also drop.
