Compare Airfare Rates

airplane image by Christine F Saulnier from Fotolia.com

Finding the best deals on airfare can be daunting. Airlines alternately raise and slash prices to cover costs or attract customers. Dozens of popular travel websites are also competing for a piece of that same seat. It can be overwhelming for a flyer who just wants to find the best possible price without the hassle. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can make the process of comparing airfare rates much easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Computer Internet access
Computer
Internet access

Step 1

Decide on a destination. Maybe you'd like to vacation in Paris but it's just not in the budget this year. Try Airfarewatchdog.com to get an idea of where the cheapest flights go from your area. Started by a travel journalist in 1998, Airfarewatchdog employs real people on the lookout for the best deals. They even make sure the seats are available when you want to fly. And, better yet, unlike most other travel websites, they feature bargains from airlines such as Southwest and Allegiant. You may be pleasantly surprised where you end up.

Step 2

Plan early. To get the best airfares, the earlier you start the better. Try Kayak.com or Farecompare.com. Both sites compare prices from the top travel websites to find the best deals. They will even alert you when the price drops on a seat to your desired destination. Students should check out Studentuniverse.com to find even deeper discounts on airfare.

Step 3

Get close enough. You can't always choose when you need to fly. Perhaps you have to visit a sick friend or attend a funeral. Last minute flights can really put a dent in your pocketbook. Try Orbitz.com to search for airports within 80 miles of your destination. Your best bet may be to get close to your first choice airport and then rent a car.

Step 4

Watch out. Many airlines now include "hidden fees" for things that were once offered for free. Many carriers now charge for meals. If you check only two bags for a round-trip flight it can run you up to an extra $100 on certain airlines. You may be hit with a "convenience" fee to book over the phone or with a charge for checking in at the airport rather than online. Overweight passengers may even have to pay for an extra seat. And then, of course, there are "taxes." Read the fine print so that you can make sure the cheapest flight you find really is the cheapest.

Step 5

Book your flight. You may find that several travel websites offer exactly the same airfare or that they are within a few dollars of each other. Big names such as Travelocity.com and Expedia.com will often ofter deals if you bundle a car rental or hotel with your flight. Pick your favorite and know that you've done your best to compare and secure the best airfare rates available.

Article Written By Michael Kerr

Michael Kerr has been writing professionally since 2009. His work has appeared in numerous books, magazines, anthologies and websites, including "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader," Chron.com and elsewhere. After a successful career in small business, he returned to southern Oregon University where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and writing.

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