Can someone point me to a 'airfare for dummies' link or provide quick tips here....

[TnTWalter]

I have ding, I'm on kayak, airtran, bestfares. I periodically check airlines. I've been searching for an 'airfare for dummies' type post or link but can't find anything. As I'm sure someone here knows can you please help me? Thanks.

Here are my questions.

Is there another better website to be signed up on? Should I sign up on all airlines' websites? What's the trick there?

When do new fares typically get released? Tuesday Midnight, Wednesday noon, or the 1st and 10th of the month, or is there no rhyme or reason...

I know the big companies book a year in advance, but when do they start showing 'deals'? 3 months out, 6 months out, random?

When does Southwest open up future months...is it always the same day of a month...so like Feb 8, all July fares show up??

When does Airtran typically have deals for x months away? I heard someone say they got a deal on 2/16 for OCTOBER which surprised me and bummer I missed it as that's when we're flying, but I thought the deals would be a tighter window...any tricks here?

It seems one-way might be cheaper but sometimes with taxes, etc. it seems higher, maybe not.

I fly out of INDY, want to go directly to MCO as we do not rent a car and use ME [unless cost of the car rental is worth it because a fare is so great].

Do I just spend every day searching or is there some METHOD to this MADNESS? Thanks so much!!!

Any links or insights greatly appreciated....I am booking for 2 adults 3 kids and possibly my parents....it adds up quickly!

Trish

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another forum)

Wait for a fare war rather than buy at their everyday low price.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most of the travel search engines (Kayak, Booking Buddy, etc.) and online travel agencies (Orbitz, Hotwire, Travelocity, etc.) let you sign up for fare notifications. Some of the airline sites themselves might, as well.

No particular rhyme or reason to when airlines release new fares. Could be 8 AM Tuesdays, could be some other day/time entirely.

"Deals" are random as well, but if one airline has a fare sale others will likely offer similar fares on the same routes.

Southwest does not have a particular day of the month, or interval, but when fares are extended it will occur at 10 AM Central time on a Thursday.

No idea on AirTran.

Some airlines - e.g. Southwest, JetBlue - sell only one-way fares (which can obviously be combined for round-trip travel). Legacy airlines' fares are usually lower if you purchase a round-trip ticket.

Yes, you either spend some time each day searching, or you purchase tickets at a fare with which you feel comfortable.

 

[dis-happy]

I like the site www.sidestep.com . When it runs your search it also lists alternative airports which can be very helpful for fare savings. Good luck!

 

[canwegosoon]

I love www.itasoftware.com if your travel dates are flexible use the calander month search. If you have several airports within a radius of 100 miles, consider using the radius feature. The biggest drawback is that they do not have SW or JB on it. I also love www. Sidestep.com that does have the discount carriers on them. And sign up for a fare watcher if you are pretty flexible.
For example if you leave on Monday after instead of the 12th of October, you can get direct flights for $160...is that a good price for you...it would be a great price for me