Tips for Search for Flights

Whether traveling around the world, across the country or making a quick hop upstate, everyone wants to get the best deal possible on their next flight. Here are five tips to help you while you plan your itinerary.

Buy Early, But Not Too Early

Most travelers know buying tickets at the last minute means paying more, but buying too early can also prevent you from getting the best deal. To get the best price, try to book your flight between one and three months before you plan to travel domestically and no more than five months before traveling internationally.

Search Often

Flight prices fluctuate over both long and short periods of time, so don’t just settle on the first price you find. Search several airlines and booking services daily — and even a few times a day if possible — to see how the prices change and to get your flight booked when the airfare is low.

Buy Based on Deals

Lots of airlines offer deals at the beginning of the week, so by Tuesday there are generally several sales available for you to take advantage of. If you don’t see a sale that serves your travel needs, however, booking on the weekend is most likely to save you money.

Be Flexible

Most people want to fly on Friday or Sunday during reasonable times of day, so those flights tend to be the most expensive. By traveling in the middle of the week and being willing to take the first flight of the morning can usually secure a cheaper fare. Booking a flight with a layover will also cost less than a direct flight.

Book One-Way Tickets

If you can’t find a good deal for a round-trip flight, search for one-way tickets that you can either book separately or combine to get a better fare.

Avoid Small Airports

Flying into or out of a smaller airport will usually cost you more. If there are any big airports nearby expand your search to  include them and you’ll probably find some cheaper options.