Buying plane tickets can be a hassle for anyone, especially those who have never traveled before. But even if you have, the price range of these tickets is a mystery, even to some of the airline employees. Hopefully, these tips will help you.
Reserve your tickets early
Reserving your tickets weeks in advance could save you hundreds of dollars. Call your airline for more information. Usually, the earliest reservation is 21 days.
Small airports mean big savings
If you are traveling, seek out the smallest airport/airline you can find. These sources offer very cheap prices for tickets. Another great tactic is to fly a large airline to a small airport. The larger airlines tend to lower their prices at these airports in order to remain competitive with smaller airlines.
Be wary of travel agents
Travel agents usually work on commission, so they may try to give you plane tickets that may not be the most cost-efficient. It is important that you trust your travel agent. If there is no one you can trust, try searching for bargains by yourself.
Buy your tickets online
If you do decide to purchase tickets without an agent, online sources are the best way to go. Some websites do not hold tickets for you, so you may have to buy the tickets on the spot. Great sources for inexpensive tickets are Cheapfares.com and Priceline.com.
Get tickets on online auctions
You may bid on any airline tickets and name your prices with this option. You can save as much as 1/3 of the original ticket price. Be careful, though. Once you place the winning bid, you must purchase it. Another drawback is the inability to pick your airline or departure time. The flight may also be overbooked.
Look for special programs
Many airline companies offer special deals for special people. You should definitely check for specially priced plane tickets if you are a senior citizen or a college student.
Fly round trip
Purchasing round-trip tickets is a much cheaper alternative to a one-way ticket. Airlines charge less for these tickets because you are securing two seats (one to your destination and one on the way back) instead of just one.
Rack up frequent flier miles
When you rack up enough mileage (about 25,000 miles), you are eligible to receive a free flight to anywhere in the United States. There are limitations, however. It is recommended that you book early, because airlines hold a set number of tickets for these particular customers.
Put your ticket on your credit card
Using a credit card to purchase plane tickets ensures speed and accuracy. It is speedy because the transaction is so quick, and accurate because your credit card company will help you if there is a dispute with your airline regarding quotes and actual fares.
Opt for weekday travel
Usually, Tuesday and Wednesday are the least-popular days for travel for weekday travel. Saturday is the less popular than Sunday for weekend travel. Purchase tickets for these days, and you will save a lot.
By Michelle Presbury