How to Buy Cheap Airplane Tickets

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Whether you are looking to ski in the Swiss Alps or just relax on the beaches of Miami, you don't want to spend a fortune on airfare. Travel with ease, more often and without pinching pennies. Discover methods to buying cheap airplane tickets. The money saved will make the trip that much more pleasurable. It does take some planning but it is not out of the question. There are numerous solutions to find that balance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Internet Credit card
Internet
Credit card

Step 1

Seek out cheap airplane tickets soon after knowing your travel plans. The cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, early mornings or red-eye flights (departing flights late at night). It is also advantageous if you are able to be flexible with the dates and times of day. Another favorable option is choosing a flight with multiple stops or stopovers.

Step 2

Use the Internet as a research tool to compare online rates. Keep tabs on the flights that interest you most. Check out sites such as sidestep.com, skyauction.com or cheaptickets.com to name a few. Look at last-minute travel deals and measure the "deal or steal" on different sites before deciding or go directly to the airline site. Give yourself an adjustable window of opportunity with the intention of finding the cheapest flight.

Step 3

Look for "limited time only" or marketing promotions. Know the different airline's lingo for advertising. Airlines such as United and Southwest offer preferred customer promotions. Fliers earn miles not only from frequent flying but toward rental car, hotels or restaurant dining with endorsed partner companies. Other airlines offer "best fare guarantees."

Step 4

Find a ticket consolidator. Sites such as twarp.com, cheapseats.com and airlineconsolidator.com purchase airline tickets in volume to get the lowest airfares. Consolidators sell tickets to travel agents or offer them directly to the traveler. Ticket consolidators offer greater discounts for international travel. Look for domestic fare bargains on long distance flights or cross-country routes.

Step 5

Join a travel club which runs the gamut from singles to seniors, gender to age and even ethnicity and profession. A club or association offers members special discounts, tailor-made trips and customized tours with personal or professional interests. Tours are usually chartered and include amenities such as hotel and dining.

Step 6

Work as a courier. Before choosing, research courier associations on the courier directory. Generally, it requires little effort except registering with an agency, traveling light, carrying the designated cargo or documents and being available on short notice. Payment is usually a significantly reduced round trip ticket or absolutely free airfare. You are responsible to meet with a company representative at the airport, hand over the "shipment" and then you are free to travel at your leisure.

Tips & Warnings

Read courier restrictions that include being over the age of 18 and having a valid passport. Ask the courier company or booking agency for the requisite procedures.

Read the fine print on airfare promotions for restrictions. Ticket consolidator restrictions may include a non-refundable ticket, no seating change or upgrades.

Read the fine print on airfare promotions for restrictions.

Ticket consolidator restrictions may include a non-refundable ticket, no seating change or upgrades.

Resources

Article Written By Dawn R. Levesque

Dawn Renée Levesque has been a writer for 32 years and has a B.F.A. in photography. Her photographs have been exhibited in Europe and the United States. As a SCBWI member, Levesque is the author of Women Who Walk With the Sky and co-author of Wisdom of Bear.

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