Airfare Tools

• Use online tools to secure cheap airfares. airplane image by Christine F Saulnier from Fotolia.com

  Securing cheap airfares is a matter of planning, research and using the best websites available. The days of relying solely on a travel agent to book the cheapest flights are long gone. Resourceful travelers can arm themselves with a wealth of online tools that compare airline prices, tell when to book and even when to wait to get the best deals.

Price comparison sites

• Kayak is a good place to start your search for cheap fares. It tells you which airlines fly where, at what times and what the current fares are. You can link to airline websites from the site, do searches on dates and check for promotions.

  Travelocity is a similar aggregator site while Skyscanner is particularly good for researching budget airlines. Consolidator sites such as Cheap Tickets are also worth checking. These sites buy tickets directly from airlines, and then sell them at discounted rates. However, there are restrictions for buyers, such as having little flexibility to change itineraries or no access to advance seat selection.

Last Minute

• Websites such as Last Minute can be useful tools in finding cheap flights just before your departure date. You may need to be flexible, but hanging on till the last minute can provide great deals. You should also check individual airline websites for late offers if you must travel at short notice.

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Bing Travel

• Bing Travel tracks fares in the United States and to international destinations. It offers predictions on the best time to buy your ticket and secure a cheap price. When you enter details of your journey into the site, it will advise you whether to book then or wait, depending on expected price fluctuations.

  Bing Travel works by processing large volumes of airfare data daily. The site allows you to narrow searches by arrival and departure times, airlines and price range, and then links you to the airline or supplier website to book.

Yapta

• Yapta lets you check the price of flights before and after you buy them. Price drop alerts will let you know when prices change. Some airlines have a policy to refund customers when this happens, so it is useful to refer to this site before travel.

  Alaska Airlines and Jet Blue Airways offer refunds for any price drop, while Virgin America will refund for any price drop over $75. Airlines including American Airlines and Delta refund for price drops over $150. Yapta also provides links to the refund policies of individual airlines.