Be flexible with your search. Consider flying out of alternate airports that are a short drive from your original departure point. Also be accommodating with different flying days and times.
Check to see if it's cheaper to fly out a few hours earlier or later than the times you have in mind. Overnight (or red-eye) flights are also usually offered at bargain fares and the bonus is that you arrive in the early morning at your destination.
Opt for more stopovers. To get a thrifty deal, Cheapflights.com recommends looking for airfares that have more stopovers. You'll be slightly inconvenienced but will save money if you search for flights with multiple legs.
Keep an eye on airline websites. Discounted web-only fares are posted by airlines when they need to fill up an aircraft quickly, so regularly search their websites for last-minute deals on seats that haven't sold.
Contact a travel agent. You may be able to find cheap airfares if you get someone in the travel industry on your side. Often travel agents have access to tickets that are not available to the general public, so save money by contacting a local travel center.
Shop with online discounted travel sites. You can save money on your airfares by purchasing your tickets on some of the major travel websites such as Travelocity.com and Expedia.com, as well as naming your own price for cheap tickets on Priceline.com.
Sign up for e-mail updates. Many airlines e-mail their members about deeply discounted airfares that others won't see. Signing up is free and you can become a member with as many airlines as you like so you can compare prices before you buy.
Check round-trip tickets, even if you're flying one-way. Sometimes flights can be much cheaper if you're flying return. So even if you only plan to fly one way, take a look to see if it's worth booking the return trip.
