Be Flexible
Being flexible is the first rule to getting a low price. Many airline websites allow you to enter broad date ranges for your flights. If you can, choose this method and you will be given several dates and prices to choose from.
Track Flight Rates
If you have a My Yahoo! or Google desktop account you can add a fare tracker feature which you can follow to observe the ebb and flow of airfares. This will give you an idea of how fares rise and fall with the seasons. You can also sign up to track fares on the websites of most major airlines.
Travel During Off Seasons
You're going to pay more to travel to Disneyland during the summer and over holidays. That's true for any summer vacation. In fact, traveling on or near a holiday or during spring break is almost always more expensive, although sometimes empty seats are offered at lower rates for last-minute purchase. Plan your flights at least a week ahead and a week after major travel times and you will save money.
Purchase Your Ticket in Advance
Fares are often cheaper when they are booked farther out--14 or 21 day advance purchases usually come with a discount--which is not to say you can't get an occasional last-minute deal. Generally it is best to book ahead and, if possible, watch for a fare reduction and call the airline for a possible price adjustment.
Fly on Low-Volume Days
Not only should you avoid high-volume travel times like holidays, but you should also avoid certain days of the week. Flying on Mondays and Fridays is almost always more expensive. The best days of the week to fly are generally Tuesday through Thursday. And staying over a Saturday can also save you money. For example: Fly to your destination on a Thursday and return on Tuesday.
Article Written By Gregory Zschomler
Gregory Zschomler is a freelance writer, playwright and author living in Southwest Washington. He holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Washington State University — one in humanities the other in digital technology and culture and a professional writing certificate. A creative visionary, he brings his imagination to print, stage, screen and business.
