The Best Way to Find Cheap Airfare

Airlines change ticket prices multiple times every day to beat or keep up with the competition. Knowing when airlines adjust their rates, the cheapest days and times to fly, and other industry secrets can help you to slash the cost of airline tickets.

Tips For You

1. Be flexible. Airfares are often less expensive on certain days of the week. For example, it's common for the price to drop dramatically if you fly on a Monday morning instead of a Sunday morning. Wednesday is also the cheapest day to fly, according to travel expert Rick Seaney of farecompare.com.
2. Compare prices on travel websites to prices directly from the airlines. The lowest fare advertised on a travel website may not be the cheapest available. Not all airlines participate in travel sites and checking directly with the carrier could net you greater savings.
3. Travel off season. Visiting any destination during peak tourist season usually means higher rates for airfare, hotels and rental cars. Do a little research before booking your trip to find out off-peak periods for your destination.
4. Buy your ticket in the middle of the week. It may sound ridiculous but airlines drop tickets prices between Tuesday and Thursday. The price you see when you're researching flights on Sunday afternoon could drop significantly on Tuesday afternoon.
5. Shop ahead. Airline prices are often less expensive three to four months prior to departure, which makes it the best time to buy. Waiting any longer means ticket prices are more likely to rise due to supply and demand. However, some airlines will refund the difference to passengers if the price of your airfare drops. Check with the airline regarding this policy. Some will only refund the difference if the price drops within a certain time frame.

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The Best Ways to Get Cheap Airfare

Americans fly a lot, but finding an inexpensive airline ticket can be the most exasperating part of planning a trip. There are, however, several websites available to travelers that search through thousands of airline flights to find the lowest rates available. The following tips can help you find a cheap fare.

Be Flexible

• Some days are cheaper to fly than others. If you are flexible in your departure and arrival dates, you can search for the lowest fares during that timeframe. Several discount airline websites, such as Travelocity (Travelocity.com), Kayak (kayak.com) and Orbitz (orbitz.com), will allow you to search for flexible travel dates by clicking "flexible dates." Check airfare prices from other airports in your area. Most website have the option to check nearby airports when you enter your search information.

Travel Mid-Week

• Airlines charge more to fly on weekends because that is when there is a rise in demand. Schedule your trip to start and end mid-week to take advantage of cheaper flights, and avoid crowded airports and flights.

Avoid Holidays

• Airlines increase their rates over holidays and during high-tourism seasons, like summer break, when kids and teachers are out of school. The Bureau of Transportation reports that holiday travel accounts for 8.3 percent of all trips, and 9.8 percent of all miles traveled in a year. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most traveled day of the year.

Find Discounts

• Airlines have frequent flyer programs that are free to join, as well as e-mail and text specials that advertise discounted fares. Some airlines offer discounts for senior citizens, students and military members. The discounts may not be published, but you can call the airline to inquire.

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