Six Tips for Getting the Best Airfare for You

The first major expense you'll make when planning a trip is getting there, usually in terms of an airline ticket. It's not always about getting the cheapest ticket, but finding the best deal for you. Instead of blindly buying a ticket, do some soul searching first. Think about what you want, then do your research, and merge the two into the best possible solution. Airfare is easily the largest expense on your budget, so negotiating the best deal will allow you more flexibility when planning money to be spent on the road.

Know Your Price Ranges.
Going in cold when looking for an airline ticket can quickly overwhelm you and cause incredible anxiety. Here it pays to be observant, and Kayak's Buzz feature is a great way to keep up with pricing trends. I keep several of my top destinations in queue and emailed to me on a weekly (or even daily) basis. That way, I know what months I can get a ticket for less than $200 home to see my parents and I also notice when tickets to Europe fall below $700. Keeping an eye on prices better prepares you for what to expect and ready to scoop up a deal when you see one.

Don't Rely On One Site.
The conglomerate airline search engines are great, but they don't always offer the best prices. After I've found a flight I like, I always compare the prices between a few of the larger sites (like Kayak, Orbitz or Expedia) and the airlines themselves. The winner varies and this comparison may only save you a few dollars, but why spend money if you don't have to?

Mid-Week Travel Doesn't Always Save.
I always trusted the commonly held belief that mid-week prices are always lower. It can certainly be the case, but I've started to not overlook the weekend flight. In the past year, I've booked a few weekend to weekend flights that were only $10-20 more than flying during the week.

Try Multiple Airports.
This doesn't just apply to the airports closest to you, but also where you're planning on going. Every continent has budget airlines nowadays. Ryan Air and Easy Jet can get you around Europe for the cost of a meal and can let you adjust your itinerary to find the best deal.

What Will A Longer Trip Cost You?
Sure, it's tempting to save some money on airfare by staying a few extra days. But don't forget that cost savings will quickly get eaten up by extra hotel stays, meals, or even a pet sitter back home.

Know Your Itinerary.
Don't always think in terms of a round trip ticket, as sometimes a multi-city trip may save you cash. If you know you're going to want to cover a lot of ground on your trip, it may make sense to depart from a different airport than you arrive. It may cost more, but could save you time and money in ground transportation costs.