You need to fly somewhere & you want to get the cheapest ticket. Here is what I do when I have to fly.
PLAN IN ADVANCE
The best way to get a cheap airline ticket is to book it as far in advance as you can. When you first decide to go somewhere or are planning a vacation, Start as much as 6 months ahead of time checking prices. I'm not sure if they have a cut off time for advanced booking. But it doesn't hurt to start early with the planning, You may save BIG BUCKS & get your ticket cheaper than everyone else on the plane.
If you wait till the last minute you are going to most likely pay the highest price for your ticket . Some times 3 to 4 times more than the guy sitting next to you that book his ticket a few weeks in advance..
They know that if your trying to get a last minute flight you are in a rush & you HAVE to get somewhere quick . So they JACK UP the price.
CHECK THE INTERNET
The first place to start is on the internet , check PRICELINE or Expedia.com. You will get a good idea what each airline is charging for the ticket.
Once you figure out the airline that has the cheapest ticket with the internet ticket sites. Go directly onto that airlines internet site & do the exact same search for the same date & time you want to fly. Some times you can get it cheaper directly through the airline web site.
CALL THE AIRLINE ON THE PHONE
Once you have found a cheap rate directly using the airlines website & the internet ticket site.
Get the phone number for that airline & call them . Talk to a person & have them check the price.
By this time you will already have 2 quoted prices. If the person on the phone is quotes you a cheaper price. BOOK IT ON THE PHONE , If it is higher on the phone ,Don't be afraid to do some haggling with them , Ask them "Is that the best you can do for me on the price"
If they will not lower the price them book it online with who ever is the cheapest.
BE FLEXIBLE
Check the prices on flights leaving a few hours earlier or later than your desired flight time. If you can be flexible a little it could save you some money , Take a VERY EARLY morning flight or a late night REDEYE flight. Those tend not to be fully booked so the airlines might give you a break on the price to try to fully book the plane.
CLUB DISCOUNTS
If your a member of the Auto club , AAA , AARP , NRA , or any other large organization , ask the airline if they give discounts to members of your organization.
Also try directly through your organization , Call AAA or AARP , tell them your a member & are looking for a discount rate on airfare.
Check through your Auto Insurance company , some time they can get you a discount rate.
NON-DIRECT FLIGHTS
Ask the airline about less direct flights , If you have more time than money , a layover or 2 & switching planes in other cities can sometimes save you some cash. You won't get there as fast & you may spend a few hours at the airport waiting for your next plane. But the objective here is to save $$$$ not getting there fast.
If you have a 3 or 4 hours layover. Check the public transportation routes in that city before you leave your home on the internet, You could tour a city you have never been to before on the city bus.
It may not be the most glamorous way to see the sights, But it is cheap & it is better than sitting in the airport for hours waiting on your connecting flight.
But always make sure you have time to get back to the airport early enough to get back through security, so you don't miss your flight ! ! !
SO do your research.
Spend some time on the internet & phone.
Book the ticket as early as you can.
Be Flex able.
Search around & see what you can find.
You will most likely save some money.
FLIGHT VOUCHERS
If your Flight is over booked , the airlines might ask if anyone will give their seat up for a seat on a later flight & a flight voucher. If you don't mind hanging around the airport for a few hours till the next flight. Most of the time the airlines will give you a $200 to $300 flight voucher you can use on your next trip.
You may not save much on this flight , but you will save on your next one.
Just make sure you are GUARENTEED to get a seat on the next flight. Sometime they will put you on STANDBY & you could get bumped from the next flight & have to wait for the next one......
