How to Get Cheap Airfare Tickets

Finding cheap airline tickets is not an exact science and may take a bit of research. Outdoor enthusiasts may have an advantage over other discount hunters because resorts and travel agencies tend to offer package discounts. Sports and activities such as skiing, camping, biking, and surfing require heavy and oversized equipment. Airlines may charge extra fees to check these bags.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Phone Internet access Credit card
Phone
Internet access
Credit card

Step 1

Plan the time and season of your trip according to your outdoor sport of choice and travel season. For example, if you like Malibu surfing waves in the winter, flights are cheaper to California in December than in July so you may consider traveling to a summer vacation spot in the winter to avoid higher fares.

If you just want to spend time in the outdoors, consider flying to your favorite winter sport spot in the summer. Flights are cheaper in the low-season.

Step 2

Check with your resort for vacation packages that may include free or discounted airfare. For example the popular skiing and snowboarding location Jackson Hole, Wyoming offers a free ticket for a child under twelve on American Airlines for each adult ticket in the party.

Step 3

Contact a local travel agent or search a sport specific website such as ski.com or one that focuses on on outdoor vacations. You may find additional packages or discounts available for your outdoor sport of choice. GORPtravel, a clearinghouse of adventure vacations, also offers occasional outdoor travel packages which include discounts.

Step 4

Search for cheap airfare on fare aggregator websites such as Kayak.com or Sidestep.com and discount travel websites such as Expedia,com, Priceline.com, or Cheaptickets.com. Do this on Wednesdays and Sundays to get the best deals. Consider traveling early in the morning, late at night or on holidays to get even cheaper rates.

Step 5

Search the airline's website for cheap flights found on discount or fare aggregator sites. You can avoid website fees by purchasing directly from the airline's website.

Some airlines such as Delta Airlines and United Airlines offer their own discounted ski vacation packages that include cheap airline tickets (http://www.deltavacationsski.com/special_deals-search.aspx; http://www.unitedvacations.com/deals/specials.asp?SpecialID=actski)

Purchasing the Tickets

Step 1

Choose the cheapest but most appropriate flight for your travel needs. If you have checked baggage, the more connections on your travel itinerary, the more chances your bags may be lost. If you have checked valuable items or your sporting equipment, you may want to pay more for a direct flight rather than risk loosing your baggage.

Step 2

Reserve your flights at least 21 days in advance and pay with a credit card. Many discount airlines in particular offer better rates for advanced reservations.

Step 3

Present discounts or other promotions at the time of ticket purchase.

Step 4

Save your reservation form and ticket stub if your resort offers a package deal.

Tips & Warnings

Ask other outdoor enthusiasts for particular discounts they may have used. Consult equipment makers to see if they offer any discounts or promotions on particular airlines.

Ask other outdoor enthusiasts for particular discounts they may have used.

Consult equipment makers to see if they offer any discounts or promotions on particular airlines.

Beware of hidden checked baggage fees for camping and sports equipment on some airlines because this will increase the actual cost of your flight.

Resources

VeloWear; Bikes Can Fly

Article Written By Celeste Fiore

Celeste Fiore, a Rutgers University Law school graduate, writes about law, education, the Mid-Atlantic region and other assorted topics she finds interesting. Fiore has traveled in Europe and the United States. She has been a writer all her life and began writing professionally in 2009; currently her work is published on eHow, Trails.com and GolfLink.

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