Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, everyday expenses can quickly eat up your budget. All the more reason to not pay more for airfare than you absolutely must. The Internet has made it possible to find cheap airline tickets with a few keystrokes and the click of mouse. With so many airline and travel websites claiming to offer the best deals on flights, however, it pays to know your best options.
Visit airline websites. This will give you some basis for comparison. In addition, airline websites may have exclusive deals not offered elsewhere. If you are traveling domestically, visiting the websites of low-cost airlines, such as www.southwest.com and www.airtran.com, may be worth your while.
Search travel companies such as www.orbitz.com and www.expedia.com. Cheap fares from many different airlines are available through these websites. If you choose to book through a travel company, be advised that you may have to pay an additional booking fee.
Use a flight aggregator website to conveniently compare flight prices from several different airlines and travel companies at once. Popular flight aggregators include www.kayak.com and www.mobissimo.com. Note that not all airlines or fares will be displayed. Many low-cost airlines are also not included in the comparison.
Try a flight consolidator website if you are willing to be flexible with dates, times and connections. Flight consolidator websites purchase quantities of tickets from airlines and sell them at discounted prices. These include www.cheaptickets.com and www.airlineconsolidator.com.
Choose a website that specializes in last-minute airfares if you are looking to get away quickly at the best price. Websites such as www.lastminutetravel.com and us.lastminute.com offer cheap last-minute flights. Keep in mind that available departures, destinations and travel dates will be limited.
Go to www.statravel.com or www.studentuniverse.com if you are a student or under 26. These websites provide reduced domestic and international airfares, as well as vacation packages, to eligible flyers.
