How does one find the cheapest tickets for airfare? For domestic airfare, the best way is online either through the sites listed below or directly on the airline's website. For international airfare, check online, but also try a travel agent. Travel agents have access to consolidators' fares that may offer substantial discounts.
Compare Prices Online
For domestic airfare (travel within the United States), Kayak.com is a great site to utilize when trying to find the cheapest tickets. This website is touted as the world's largest travel search site. It searches hundreds of fares and airlines at one time and then displays the best price. Once the best price is identified, Kayak will provide a link to the website where the ticket can be purchased.
It's also advised to check a couple of the airlines websites directly for comparison.
Bid on Tickets Online
Another option that also works best for trying to find cheap domestic airfare is Priceline (priceline.com). Priceline is a website where customers bid on tickets. Simply put in the arrival and departure information, number of layovers that are acceptable and the maximum amount willing to be paid for the ticket. Then place the bid and within a few hours the bidder will be notified if an airline accepts the bid or not. Keep in mind that the flight times can be anytime during the day or night and the layovers can be long.
Sign Up for Fare Alerts
Whether traveling within the United States or overseas (or even Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean), it's best to sign up for fare alerts. All major airlines offer fare alerts on their websites as well as the mega online travel sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia.
Also, unlike other airfare search engines that use algorithms and automated processes, this website, AirfareWatchdog.com, provides a dedicated team of real people to search airfares and provide subscribers with the least expensive and most up to date information.
Best Prices on International and Business Class Airfare
Check with a travel agent for cheap prices on business class and international fares. Travel agents have access to consolidator fares. Consolidators are a type of wholesaler that buys seats in volume from airlines and then resales the seats at a discount. Consolidators sometimes offer domestic tickets on high volume flights such as New York to Los Angeles but mostly they offer international and business class discounts. While these fares may not always be offered where one is looking to fly, it's always a good idea to check.
Ultimately travellers need to decide how much time is reasonable to spend trying to get the absolute best price. Take into account time and energy being spent on searching online. Two to three websites and/or a travel agent is sufficient to make an informed decision and purchase.
Sherry Jackson - My articles have been featured in InfoWorld Magazine, Entrepreneur.com, USA Today, Jetsetter.com, Bootsnall.com, Gadling and many ...
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