Search and compare many travel deal sites. Search the same flight on as many airfare sites as possible, such as Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia. Compare these with the airlines' websites---you may avoid extra charges and fees by booking directly.
Use an airfare predictor or tracker to determine when prices will be the lowest. Websites such as Bing Travel and Yapta offer this service for free.
Start looking for airfare deals weeks---if not months---in advance. Watch the patterns for the fare you are seeking, noting the difference between the regularly priced fare and a sale fare. If you can hold out, wait until the fare drops below sale price before purchasing.
Be flexible. You will pay more if you are firmly locked into flying on specific dates. If your travel dates are flexible by even a day or two, you will be more likely to find savings. Travelocity offers the 'my dates are flexible' option when you are searching for flights. Even being flexible about the time of day can save you money. Early morning and late night flights are the cheapest.
Travel during the 'off season.' Know when the peak travel season is for your destination, and avoid it if possible. The difference in airfare can be in the hundreds of dollars.
Fly Tuesday through Thursday. Weekends are the most expensive days to fly, especially Fridays and Sundays. Business travelers often fly on Mondays, as do vacationers returning home. Traditionally, the middle of the week fares are the cheapest.
Once you find the best deal, book it. According to Farecast, half of all discount seats are gone within 50 hours of the sale.
