Best Practices in finding Lower Airfare

When planning your international travel, there are many guidelines to follow which will lead to the lowest fare possible. Airlines have studied passenger behavior and know when they can get away with charging the highest fare. Avoid these situations and pay less airfares, also look out for airline specials in combination with these tips.

Low Fare Tips

Plan and purchase your tickets at least 2-5 months in advance or as soon as you know your travel plans

Avoid flying on weekends

Travel during low season periods

Minimum and Maximum days traveled

Try to have a connecting flight verse a direct flight

Compare airfare prices by shopping the Internet

Plan and Purchase your tickets 2-5 months in advance

The best way to guarantee you will get the best airfare is by purchasing your tickets at least 21 days or more in advance. Airlines offer lower fares when you buy early and typically the airfare increases every day your travel date approaches. Lower fares sell out fast so buying 2-3 months in advance will ensure your discounted seat is available. An example would be if you would like to travel during the Christmas period - purchase your tickets in August or September.

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Avoid flying on weekends

Best days of the week to travel are Monday through Thursday. Traveling on the weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) will typical cost you an additional $25-$40 for departure or return flight. An example would be if traveling and returning on a weekend this charge will be double.

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Travel during low season periods

Over the course of the year there are periods where airfares are lower when compared to shoulder or peak seasons for travel. If you must travel during peak seasons try to leave before the season period begins.

Low Season
This period begins the second week of January until April 1st and begins again in September until the first week of December

Shoulder Season
This period begins April until June 1st

Peak season
This period begins Jun 1st until August 31st and begins again in December until the first week of January

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Minimum and Maximum days traveled

Airlines offer discounts when you stay at least a Saturday night at your arrival destination and return back within 90 days. If you won't be returning for some 3 months or longer, these airfares may be slightly higher

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Try to have a connecting flight verse a direct flight

Flying direct is the fastest route, but you pay for this service. Sometime stopping and changing planes in a connecting city is cheaper even though it's an extra hassle.

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Compare airfare by shopping the Internet

Many online web sites provide cheap airfares and it is good practice to compare fares before you buy. View our recommended list for other online travel sites

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