How To Find That Elusive Cheap Airfare

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”  ~Leonardo Da Vinci

There are plenty of ways to travel without emptying your savings, especially when you are looking for the best airfare deals for your travel plans.

Let’s face it; the best travel experience is the one that doesn’t empty your wallet. Here are some closely-guarded secrets to help you find the best deals in the market today.

Research Is The Key

If you want to get the best deals on airfare then you better do your research. Being negligent will not get you anywhere and picking out the first offer you see is not a great way to get good savings for your travel plans.

If only finding the right airfare wasn’t  so challenging.  If I had the authority, I would change the entire process and have a one price structure that remained unchanged….but I don’t have the authority….so it is what it is.

Your airfare search experience doesn’t have to be excruciating though.  As a matter of fact you can approach the entire process with more clarity in your due diligence. What is the impetus in this new paradigm? Your empowered insider knowledge of what most will never know about searching for airfare (there is power in knowledge).

Promethean insider tips:

• Pricing habits: Airline pricing is programmed with a keen eye on the competition.  Airlines consistently watch their competitor pricing to make sure they are not one dollar above or below.

• Prices and rollbacks: Airlines have the propensity to initiate system-wide price increases Thursday evening at 8 p.m. E.S.T. This gives other airlines the weekend to match the price.  That way a decision can be made to continue the increase or rollback which typically occurs on Monday evening.

• Cycles: Airlines tend to manage their domestic U.S. airfares in cycles.  Typically in four- to five month cycles, charging non-competitive, mid-tier rates for fares outside that window. The key, start shopping about four months out.

• Buyer tendencies: Airlines know air travel buying tendencies.  They have studied this for years. They know when and where most people want to go.  Be flexible with your travel dates and the destinations you choose.  This will ensure the better deal.

• New routes: Airlines love to promote new overseas routes with a cheap introductory price. Stay watchful of new routes.

• Email alerts: Sign up for airfare email alerts. Believe it or not mistakes are made in airfare reported prices.  By signing up for email alerts you will be able to catch the mistake prices being reported.  Most of the time, these prices are honored by the airline.

• Travel packages: You might want to take advantage of travel packages, such as airfare, hotel accommodation, transportation, tours and more.  In most cases, these airlines or travel agencies will try to get as many customers as possible by offering the lowest possible rates.

• Seat sales for savings: Keep in mind there are always last minute cancellations by those who booked travel in advance.  Airline companies are always ready to get as much profit from this scenario by offering the seat at a lower price.  This discounted price will generally range 30 to 40 percent below market price.

• Go for bulk: Travel with a large group.  Many airlines will offer quite a big discount for bulk bookings

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” ~ Miriam Beard

Starting your travel planning with a little research ensures that you will get a plethora of selections of airfare deals for you to choose from. The secret here is not to rush and compare them all until you find the right one that fits your budget. Make sure that you have as much details on your travel before starting with the research — such as the date and time of the travel, destination, your actual budget for it, and of course, seating class, and so on.

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*photo credit: raqcuellar