Check at least three reputable sites that list multiple fares. Two examples are Smartertravel.com and Tripadvisor.com. These sites help you check numerous airlines at one time, and you can set up travel alerts for specific locations in case airfare for those locations drop. Also, check last-minute deals, specials or bargain tabs on airlines with which you have frequent flier miles or other discount options.
Compare apples to apples. When you enter your search, use exactly the same dates, same number of passengers and same input about stops. One variation in these could make all the difference in price. Also, look to see whether the prices on both sites include taxes and fees. A $40 ticket to the Bahamas sounds much better than a $160 ticket unless, when you actually book, the taxes and fees bring the first ticket up to $200.
Be flexible if you can. A day or two variance in travel dates can make a huge price difference. Traveling in the middle of the week, for example, is often much cheaper than traveling around the weekend.
Embrace little inconveniences as the price of a bargain ticket. Airlines have trouble booking seats on flights that leave very early or very late, or flights that have a stop or two, and may be willing to give them to you at a discount.
Look at all the angles. Sites such as Tripadvisor.com usually give you the choice to pick an airport or look at all airports in a given city. Look at all airports. The prices can be radically different. But if you're heading for an area outside a city, test your price changes at nearby airports. It's usually much less expensive, for example, to fly into Colorado Springs than it is to fly into Albuquerque. And if you're heading into Northern New Mexico, the drive from each airport is usually about the same.
