Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet
- Cheap airfares
- Discount airfare websites
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Step 1
Book your cheap airfares well in advance of your trip. Even if you don't have a solid date in mind, start looking well before you plan to fly. Cheap airfares are never found last minute, especially during peak travel times. In fact, prices will go up every day you wait to book your flight.
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Step 2
If you are flying off-peak season airfares will always be cheaper. During the winter travel season and holidays airfares will increase dramatically. In the summer, flights to tropical locations and Florida will be less expensive. Also, plan to fly through the week on a Tuesday when airfares are traditionally the cheapest.
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Step 3
Cheaper airfares do mean traveling late hours, so if you can plan your vacation to accommodate late arrivals, do so, at least if you don't mind arriving at midnight. Flying after 8 pm usually means a cheaper airfare as these plane tickets are not as desirable. Make sure your hotel allows check in at these hours and book your hotel in advance.
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Step 4
First search for cheap airfares directly at the airlines ticket sites. You can make reservations on just about every major discount airline and most of the smaller ones. Southwest and US Airways usually have the cheapest airfares.
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Step 5
Search discount airfare websites like Expedia and Orbitz only if you are booking airfare well in advance. These sites will not always have cheap airfares on flights scheduled a week or two in advance. In fact, closer to the holidays these sites will not have the best deals and could cost up to $100 more than buying the plane ticket direct from the airlines. Compare them to the airfares you find direct from the airline at their websites.
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Step 6
Use frequent flyer miles, coupons you find online and promotional offers for new frequent flyer accounts to help you earn cheap airfares and sometimes free flights.
