There are so many theories about finding Really Cheap Plane Tickets that the booking process can seem overwhelming. Some theories are true and some are not, and some advice does not apply to all destinations. There are some methods, however, that anyone can use to find low airfares.
Use Budget Flights
Budget carriers usually have the cheapest fares. Make sure you know what is included in the airfare before you book. Many budget carriers advertise their fares without taxes, but taxes and service fees add at a lot on top of the basic fare.
Generally the cheapest fares do not include check-in baggage, meals or drinks.
Many low cost airlines fly to secondary airports that are located outside the city, so make sure there are public transport options from the airport to the city. In the end low cost airlines generally have the lowest fares, especially if you travel short distances without check-in baggage.
The Cheapest Departures
The peak times for flying are Christmas and New Year, Thanksgiving in North America, school holidays in Europe in July and August, and any national holidays or big events when everyone flies. Airfares are always high just before these important holidays or events. If you want to get cheap flights for the Christmas period, you need to start looking several months ahead.
If you are able to be flexible about your travel dates, you can avoid paying the highest fares. Flights that leave in the middle of the week, or that leave early in the morning or very late at night, are often the cheapest. A flight that leaves on a Friday evening to a popular weekend destination is always more expensive than a flight that departs in the middle of the week.
Frequent Flyer Programs
It is a good idea to sign up for an airline’s frequent flyer program. It does not cost anything and if you fly often, your points add up. It takes a lot of points to get a free international flight, but you can often pay part of an airfare with miles or points, and the rest with cash or a credit card. If you are a frequent flyer you will also get newsletters from airlines, and sometimes these contain special deals that are not advertised to the general public.
Is it possible to find really cheap plane tickets anymore? If you are willing to fly budget airlines and are flexible with times and dates, it is often possible. Flying without check-in baggage and flying outside the main holiday seasons always help when looking for low fares.
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