- 1). Change your outlook about when you must fly. Although not relevant in every case, like a business trip or a funeral, flexibility can offer you great savings. If you are taking a vacation, for example, go during off-peak months. For Europe, the longest off-season stretch is from November to Easter time. For warmer destinations, off-peak times are in the early through late summer. Also, if you have flexibility within the week you go, you can save money. Traveling during the week is much cheaper than traveling on a Friday or Saturday. Some discount travel booking sites, like Travelocity, offer the option to look at prices of flights several days before and after you wish to travel. Late night flights, or "red-eyes," are also cheaper than daytime flights.
- 2). Shop around to better your chances of finding a steal. Sites like Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity are some of the most popular discount travel-booking sites. However, watch out for booking fees, which some of these sites charge. To avoid these, compare the price of the discounted flight with the price of the flight from the airline directly. Some airlines, like JetBlue and Southwest, do not offer their flights on these discount sites, so you need to visit their sites directly.
- 3). Ask about standby fees if you're flying during the off-season. These aren't available during peak flying months because airlines often overbook flights. However, if you inquire at the correct time, you can often save money by being flexible about when you leave and how long you are willing to wait in the airport.
- 4). Book as early as possible, especially if you need to travel over the holidays (late November through December). Book at least three weeks ahead to find the best deals. Ironically, though, sometimes you can find great prices on flights just days before. However, if you can help it, you shouldn't plan a large trip this way. This idea is best for last-minute getaways.
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