Discount Airfare 101 | How to Get the Best Airfare

Discount Airfare 101 | How to Get the Best Airfare

Since airfare is likely the largest item in your travel budget, you'll want to be certain you get the best airfare value for your hard earned dollar. Not suprisingly, the airlines will not always tell you what their best airfare options are. Asking good questions, being flexible in your plans, and planning in advance however will greatly increase your  odds of booking the best discount airfare for your travel budget.

How Are Airfare Rates Determined?

Airlines calculate their airfare rates based on a number of variables - seat inventory, competition pricing, and supply/demand to name just a few. If a particular flight route (New York to Los Angeles, for example) is in high demand, then it goes without saying that the airfare for that route will go up. Conversely, if a competing flight has more empty seats on it than full, the price of that airfare will drop.

Have you noticed that airlines that offer the same flight routes several times per day have some widely different airfare prices for each flight? This is discount airfare 101 in it's rawest form - more popular flights will have less available seats. Translation - a limited supply and high demand equals higher prices.

As a result of the above variables, airfare prices fluctuate in real time - all the time!

When you’re shopping for discount airfare, the price that you see quoted this very minute could change by the time takes you pull out your credit card. That's why getting the best airfare often comes down to being able to act quickly.

Can One Day Really Make a Difference?

If you have a strict travel itinerary with restrictions on the dates you are able to travel, you will probably not get the discount airfare you desire. If you can keep your travel days flexible however, departing even a single day earlier or later than your original plans, you’ll greatly increase your chance of getting an airfare deal you can live with.

If you need to travel during a holiday season, you can still get a good airfare by staying flexible and planning ahead. The best airfare during peak travel times like Thanksgiving or Christmas comes to those who plan ahead, book ahead, and remain flexible.

When it comes to holidays, most folks want to arrive a couple days before the holiday and stay a couple days after the holiday. If you're looking for discount airfare and you're familiar with supplydemand, you'll take note of this and fly on the holiday rather than a few days before or after. Flying on December 25th can often get you the best airfare for the year simply because most airlines consider the actual holiday date to be a low demand date.

Are you a Morning Person?

Another effective strategy for getting the best airfare is flying very early in the morning - the first flight of the day. The first flight of the day and the last flight of the day tend to be less popular and will often yield a better price. If you’re willing to get up extra early, booking a first flight out can get you the best airfare.

Don't Mind Driving?

If you don't mind driving a little bit, shopping for the best airfare by airport will usually get you a good deal. Discount airfare prices are often lower at smaller, regional airports that are serviced by the discount carriers.

Flights departing from Fort Lauderdale for example, generally carry a lower airfares than flights departing Miami. This same concept holds up in other metropolitan areas as well (Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, etc.). If you’re searching for discount airfare online, choose a site like Kayak that allows you to research airfare and include surrounding airports.

When Should I Book?

While there’s no perfect time to purchase discount airfare, you are advised book your flight as early as possible because the chances are likely that it will cost more if you wait. The general consensus is that the best domestic airfare prices are obtained with a 14-day advance purchase and the best international airfare proces are obtained with a 30-day advance purchase.

And if Prices Go Down...?

Purchasing discount airfare is a little bit like gambling -placing your bet on what you believe is the best airfare for your money. But what happens if you bet wrong and airfare prices go down?

Most of the major domestic airlines include a price drop guarantee in their fine print. If you purchase your airfare and the price drops for the exact same itinerary, cabin class, and flight, then the airline will issue a price-difference voucher that can be applied to a future airfare purchase. Website airfare is sometimes excluded from this offer so you'll want to be familiar with their terms and conditions.

Anything Else?

I hope you've picked up a good idea or two by reading this article. If you want even more tips and tricks for saving on airfare, buy the Save on Airfare Secrets book from Tony Morrison. It's loaded with great techniques for saving a bundle at the ticket counter!

Have a safe and enjoyable journey.

Recommended Reading:
"Save on Airfare Secrets is the BEST material for both casual and business air travelers - all in one place for easy access too!"
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