low airfare

[jessaroo]

Any tips for finding low airfares?  Do you have a favoritie site?  ANy special rewards programs?  I have not searched for airfares in 10 years and could use any help in trying to find a low fare. 

thanks.

[la mamita]

I use Kayak.com to search for fares, and I'll also check Travelocity and Orbitz but rarely purchase through them. I spend a lot of time searching with different date combos (usually traveling mid-week is cheapest, like Tuesday or Wednesday) but sometimes you can hit on a date that is randomly lower than other dates just through luck. If you are willing to fly on a major holiday, you can sometimes find a cheaper deal that way too. Like fly on Christmas, not a few days before...

[SunRise]

I use kayak as well.

When you enter in some dates, a "flexible date" calendar (off to the right side) will show ticket prices during the month...so you can gauge the cost on different days. There is also an option on the left side bar to view a fare chart (for the week, so you may select a departure day based on the lowest price). I find these two tools very useful.

You can also request weekly / daily emails to alert you of the price for your destination and travel time.

Kayak will list flights available from all sources. And then you may purchase your ticket through that other source (may be directly from the airline)

[zebra15]

Over the years things have changed.  Whatever website you go with please read the terms and fine print.  Realize what is and is not included with your price.  Will you need to pay for baggage? A check in fee? Extra fee for aisle or window seat? Fee for front/back of the plane etc.

All that being said I like Travelocity or the airline website directly.  I try not to check baggage and usually travel mid week.

[matey]

A lot is going to depend on where you are traveling from and to. I live near an airport but it is super expensive to fly out of. The other option in to drive 3.5 hours which is wear on the car, then parking costs, and then I get a cheaper flight. Sometimes it isn't worth it because it doesn't save enough money to make it a good choice.

Those baggage costs really suck. I think Southwest is the one without baggage costs.

[Drummer's Wife]

My experience with Sunport airport is that southwest tends to be the cheapest way to fly out; though it depends on your destination -- they don't fly everywhere.  We have been pricing tix to NYC and have found that going directly to Southwest's website and ordering there is the lowest fare. But check around, especially if your dates aren't flexible (well, and also if they are).  Kayak is definitely a good way to do just that.