Secrets to finding cheap (inexpensive) flights

[BuzzLiteyear]

I do all the usual things (kayak, orbitz, apps on phone, email alerts). Are there any other "things" that I'm missing?

 

[raydurz]

I've heard that its best to buy about 90 days in advance and cheaper tickets can be found on flights heading out first thing in the morning on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. I've also read that airlines release their "cheap seats" for sale on Tuesday afternoon, like at around 2 or 3 pm. Sites like Farecast can predict what the prices might be in the future. Im hoping with the drop in oil prices will lead to lower fares by the time Im ready to book in August.

 

[Missyrose]

I do all the usual things (kayak, orbitz, apps on phone, email alerts). Are there any other "things" that I'm missing?

With all the consolidation the airlines have done, many of the old "rules" for buying tickets cheaply have gone out the window. Have a price in mind that you are comfortable with and as soon as you see it, grab it and don't look back.

Cheap airline tickets are few and VERY far between these days.

 

[Planogirl]

We are at just past 90 days out and except for a brief dip on Delta I haven't seen the prices budge. Delta did fall briefly though so you might want to watch them.

 

[dis_guy]

With all the consolidation the airlines have done, many of the old "rules" for buying tickets cheaply have gone out the window. Have a price in mind that you are comfortable with and as soon as you see it, grab it and don't look back.

Cheap airline tickets are few and VERY far between these days.

I agree. All the old rules and accepted practices have been nullified by airline websites that constantly add/subtract seat inventories and micro manage the price increases and decreases relentlessly.

About the only practice that I've found that still works is to just check constantly throughout the day and see what you can find. Check at odd times too. I once got amazing fares at 1 AM on a Sunday night. I had to wake my wife up just to see if I was actually seeing that price!

And as a pp said, have a good idea of what you're willing to pay and when you see it, grab it quick. It'll probably not be there for long.

 

[kda]

About the only practice that I've found that still works is to just check constantly throughout the day and see what you can find. Check at odd times too.

Exactly what I was going to suggest. I've been pricing tickets to Omaha for 6 weeks and finally decided on a time ......... the price went from $236 (one way--- yes, it's expensive to fly to Omaha in the summer) to $350 overnight and stayed at $350 for a week. I checked at noon on Friday and there was 1 seat for $236, which I immediately booked. I've checked several times since and the price has been $350.

I've also been able to grab an excellent price to Orlando that seemed to exist for only a few hours. Luck? or a lot of persistence and footwork.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We are at just past 90 days out and except for a brief dip on Delta I haven't seen the prices budge. Delta did fall briefly though so you might want to watch them.

I've noticed that Delta has become the lowest price for me in the past few weeks.

 

[dontthrowsand]

We booked at just over 90 days but the cheapest was probably at 108 days (we paid about 8$ more than that price but got better flights)

 

[disneymarie]

Five months ago, I started pricing one ticket at a time. There are so many seats for lesser cost. If you put in for a group of 4 or 5, then if there is 1 or 3 tickets for the bottom price, they will not show up.

I also went to the ticket counter locally and paid for the flights with the gal looking for bottom line seats and grabbed 3, one for $47, one for $67, before airport fees.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

After many years of trekking back and forth to orlando and tampa...mainly from philly, pittsburgh, and newark...i'm sad to say that the airlines have finally banded together and price fixed at what they feel is the maximum amounts.

there was always somebody to temper the gouging...but now its just common place.
And most of it is due to oil speculation, hedging, and futures...but alot also has to do with vastly reduced flights and routes.

Its not even the prices - so much - as the schedules....where they attempt to route every single flight possible through at least one connector.

If i'm traveling alone...i actually enjoy a connector....but not with a 2 year and 4 year old.

That is the problem. And we have to rethink our options now because not only does it cost as much to get there (hypothetically) as hotel and tickets...its also flying on their dictated timeframe.

I long for the day in high school/ college where US Air had 11 nonstops to and from orlando to pittburgh each day....pick a time...pay hardly anything.

the days of past.

now i would settle for a non-stop on southwest anytime out of philly for less than 400...

The times they are a changin'

 

[dzneelvr]

I make sure to receive all the email specials from Allegiant, which is the only airline we fly into Sanford on. One out yesterday gave me $58 tickets for our December trip. That made me very very happy

 

[bdklein]

I do all the usual things (kayak, orbitz, apps on phone, email alerts). Are there any other "things" that I'm missing?

If you can fly Southwest, download their Ding application.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Check often.

DH and I are taking a cruise out of LA in October for our anniversary. Everytime I had checked the airfare was approx. $400/person.

Yesterday I checked again and there were flights on Delta for $236/person.

I grabbed them immediately.

They are back over $400 today.

Keep looking!!!!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Five months ago, I started pricing one ticket at a time. There are so many seats for lesser cost. If you put in for a group of 4 or 5, then if there is 1 or 3 tickets for the bottom price, they will not show up.

I also went to the ticket counter locally and paid for the flights with the gal looking for bottom line seats and grabbed 3, one for $47, one for $67, before airport fees.

Just out of curiosity, what airport did you fly out of? I'm not too far from N.E. PA.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

If you can fly Southwest, download their Ding application.

I have their iPhone app but have not received any dings in weeks

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Just out of curiosity, what airport did you fly out of? I'm not too far from N.E. PA.

I would imagine Leigh valley - ABE