If you are considering flying in the near future, you should begin thinking about how you can find the cheapest possible flight.
As a frequent flier, I’ve spent countless research looking for the cheapest possible flights. As I have perfect the art of finding discounted rates, I’ve amassed a variety of tips and key points that will help you, too, find cheap flights like me. While there are services out there that will claim to always find you the cheapest rates, the truth is that you will need to search using different methods, and each one may work at different times. However, the effort is worth it if you value saving your money for more important things. With that being said, let me explain what you can do to save money with a cheaper flight.
When you are looking to buy a ticket for a flight, your best bet is to check a variety of websites. Some still prefer to go through a travel agent, but generally, you will pay more for the same value, and thus, it is not worth it unless you want to help them pay their rent. Regarding the websites, there are generally three different kinds of websites pertaining to finding cheap flights. The first is known as an aggregator website. The following websites can be considered aggregator websites:
- Kayak
- Yahoo Travel
- Bing Travel
Aggregator websites check for the cheapest flights from each airline. They do not charge a fee. Rather, they make their money through advertisements. You will more than likely find the cheapest rate going through one of these websites.
If you are not satisfied with what you find on an aggregator website, you may want to browse what are consider the traditional flight booking websites. These traditional sites include:
- Travelocity
- Orbitz
- Expedia
- Cheaptickets
- Hotwire
- Priceline
While these websites are similar to aggregators, they may charge a fee, making the ticket actually cost more than it normally would. It is best to read the terms and conditions on these websites to make sure that you are making a good purchase. Lastly, you can also book flights from the airline directly. Examples of different airlines include:
- Southwest
- SW Vacations
- Airtran
- Alaska
- America West
- American Airlines
- Continental
- Delta
- Frontier
- Jet Blue
- Midwest Airlines
- Northwest
- Sun Country
- Spirit
- U.S. Airways
- United Airlines
You will have to check each of these sites on your own, as sometimes they will offer deals that aggregators cannot match. Now, if you are looking for the cheapest possible flight, you should start with an aggregator like Kayak. Also search Southwest and Jet Blue for potential excellent discounts. Then check websites like Orbitz and Travelocity. If you are also in need of a hotel, check to see if any package deals are available. You should also try booking flights on different days, as rates do vary depending on the day you depart, and the day that you return. Lastly, check the airline’s actual website, as they may offer incredible deals. Be wary of hidden fees, and always check to see if you will have to pay to check your bags. Some airlines may also charge for carry-on bags, so you should also check into that.
Be careful of travel clubs and other suspicious websites. Many of these clubs will make promises that they cannot live up to, and will most likely subscribe you to a service or sell your information. They are more trouble than anything else. Keep in mind, if you are looking for an international flight, you may want to check other services as well, such as vayama or skyscanner, as they may offer better rates for overseas flights.