Timing is perhaps the most crucial part of getting good airlfare deals. For domestic travel, it's important to buy your ticket at least two weeks in advance to guarantee a decent fare. Cut it any closer, and the airlines will know you're bordering on desperate and the fare they charge you will probably be higher. On the other hand, you can sometimes get last minute deals less than seven days before a flight, because the airline will start to worry about getting people in their seats. If you must travel on a certain date, book at least two weeks in advance, and if you're more flexible, then keep a bag packed and check out those last-minute deals.
Saturdays are often cheaper to fly on because weekend travelers are usually taking off on Fridays and Sundays. Take advantage of this knowledge and rework your trip so that you can travel on a Saturday instead. Flying during the middle of the week, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, is also a cheap option. Remaining somewhat flexible on the day of the week on which you fly will help you get the best deal.
You should always compare fares between airlines to get the best fare -- this you probably know. A lesser known secret, however, is that you can sometimes get the same fare you find on a discount site from the actual airline, minus a few dollars. Discount travel sites will often charge a convenience fee for connecting you with the fare. If you find a great rate on a travel site, see if you can get the same fare from the airline itself without the middleman fees.
Getting a ticket over the phone from the airline gives you the satisfaction of talking to an actual person, but it may cost you more. Almost every major airline offers web-only deals, so shop online to get the cheapest fare. You can also sign up for fare alerts online so that the airline will email you when a price drop occurs for a particular route.
