How to Get Reduced Airfares

Traveling by air is getting more expensive each year. As the airlines struggle to keep their heads above water, passengers end up paying the price in increased ticket prices, as well as added fees for luggage, a window or aisle seat, or even snacks. However, if you plan accordingly, you can still find reduced airline deals. Booking early and being flexible are your best bets for getting the lowest fares possible when you fly.

• 1

  Book well in advance. This is the best way to guarantee yourself the lowest fare. You often can't book too far in advance because you're not sure of the dates you can travel, but if you can book early, planning ahead will save you a lot of money.

  If you book early and can't fly on the dates you bought the ticket for, some airlines will allow you put the cost of the ticket toward another flight. Southwest Airlines, for example will not charge you a fee for canceling or changing your ticket; you are free to put the unused funds toward a different flight for up to one year.

• 2

  Be flexible. Consider flying out a day before or after you were planning to travel. You could potentially save a lot of money doing this, especially if around the holidays. Online travel sites will typically show you the price for the date you plan to fly, and what the price would be if you left on an alternative day.

• 3

  Take a mid-week flight. Flying in the middle of the weak is almost always cheaper than the weekend, when everyone is trying to fly. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are typically the best days for getting a cheap flight. Mondays and Fridays are not so good because people typically leave on Fridays and more people are starting to return on Mondays to avoid the expensive Sunday prices.

• 4

  Fly on the holiday. The day before a holiday is the worst time to fly, as most travelers want to fly on that day. Flying the day before a holiday makes it far less likely to get a good deal, especially if you don't book well in advance. If you fly on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, expect to pay a heavy price. Fly on Thanksgiving morning instead. The airport won't be crowded, and the ticket will be much cheaper.

• 5

  Try an alternative airport. The airport not closest to you but still within a reasonable distance just may have a better deal. For instance, if you live in Los Angeles, LAX is the main airport and one of the busiest in the country. If you head an hour away to the much smaller John Wayne Airport in Orange County, you might get a better deal. Online airfare websites typically show you the prices of your ticket if you go with the next nearest airport.