How to get the best price on an airline ticket

Getting a good price on an airline ticket is complicated. Ticket prices change constantly, while different fare categories and fees can make it hard to figure what you’re getting. Finding a bargain on airfare is possible, though.

DealNews.com offers five tips to help you get the best buy on your next flight:

Shop around with a search engine

You should comparison shop before you buy. Some sites help you find the cheapest fare by searching multiple airlines, suggesting less expensive days to travel, and emailing you when prices drop. Here are three of DealNews.com’s favorites to get you started:

Google Flights

It automatically pulls up what it considers to be the best flights – usually those with the lowest cost and shortest duration – so you don't wind up with pages of search results.

Hipmunk

By showing results in a chart, Hipmunk lets you easily see when each flight takes off and lands, so you can pick the one that best fits your schedule. Hipmunk also sorts flights by "agony" level, a combination of price, the number of stops, and the travel duration; it's a good way to find a flight that won't make for a miserable start to your trip.

Expedia

This site clearly lists baggage fees to help you see the total cost. Google and Hipmunk provide links to baggage fees, but the prices aren't included with the rest of the flight information. A second helpful feature is Expedia's flight rating system. It scores each flight on a 10-point scale, based on duration, aircraft type, and amenities.

Another thing to consider is whether any nearby airports could work for you. For example, if you're flying to Los Angeles, you may think Los Angeles International is your only option, but four other major airports are in the area: Ontario International, John Wayne, Hollywood Burbank, and Long Beach. You may find an alternate airport that's in a better location – and has a better ticket price, too. Both Expedia and Google let you easily check nearby airports, but won't do it automatically. Click "nearby airports" in Expedia or the plus sign next to the airport name in Google.

Also consider bundling your flight and hotel purchase for big savings. If you're looking for a hotel anyway, it's worth checking to see if a bundle is your best deal.

Pick the right time to fly

When you leave can have as much of an impact on ticket price as which airline you choose. Usually, you'll find cheaper fares during less-busy times of year or times of week or even times of day. The first thing to do is consider when you're taking your vacation; it's often more expensive to travel during the summer and holidays when everyone else is doing the same.

Traveling in the off-season is usually cheaper – and as a bonus, hotel rates are often cheaper, too. However, the off-season is also when hotels and vacation destinations usually do any refurbishing because fewer people are there. Also, what's considered "off-season" varies based on your destination. For example, while summer is a busy season for many tourist destinations, Las Vegas is quieter during that time due to the intense desert heat.

You'll want to pick the right day to travel, too, when fewer people are traveling. The best days are usually Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with Thursday being a toss-up. Google Flights and Hipmunk will check for cheaper days to travel – and if your schedule is flexible, it can be well worth shifting your plans a day or two. Less desirable hours of the day can be cheaper as well, such as extremely early morning and extremely late evening.

And pick the right time to book

Airline prices are constantly changing. Sometimes you can get a deal by booking very early – but other times you end up missing out on later sales. Sometimes booking late means you're seriously overpaying – but other times it means snagging a last-minute bargain. These price trends can vary based on the airline and destination, making them tough to keep track of. However, the usual ideal is to book two to three months in advance.

And, while it's not a surefire way to find low fares, many airlines update their pricing in the middle of the week based on what's selling, so booking between Tuesday and Thursday could get you a cheaper flight. However, a recent report has Sunday as the best day to buy.

Know your fare types

Every airline has a selection of different fare categories, from economy to first class. But some fare classes aren't quite so obvious. What's the difference between United Airlines' Economy and Basic Economy? The carrier has made waves for its Basic Economy fare, which doesn't let passengers pick seats or store a bag in the overhead bin. But United isn't the only airline that doesn't include carry-ons in its base fare – Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit charge as well.

For some travelers, these fares could even be a cost savings. If you just bring a bag that fits under your seat or check a bag, you have the option of paying less. But getting a deal requires finding the fare that fits your needs the best.

Know your fees

Some airlines lure you in with cheap fares before tacking on fees that make for a pricey flight. Baggage fees are the best known – often around $25 per checked bag, with additional charges for oversize or overweight bags – but there are a lot of fees that can hurt your pocketbook:

Seat selection: Seats with more legroom or in more desirable locations can cost up to $150.

Carry-on bags: While many airlines still offer two carry-ons for free, some charge from $15 to $65, such as Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, and United – depending on fare type. Certain airlines even charge huge amounts for a bag you decide to check at the gate.

Drinks: Allegiant and Spirit don't even offer water for free.

Snacks and other food: These can vary a lot in price – but are more expensive to buy on the plane than to bring from home or buy at the airport. Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest still offer complimentary snacks. However, for Southwest, it’s just a small bag of pretzels.

While some of these fees are avoidable – for example, by packing carefully, so you don't need a large carry-on that goes in the overhead bin – if you know you're going to pay a fee, it's often best to pay it in advance. Many airlines offer discounts for paying up front, with higher prices at the check-in desk. You could also investigate different fare classes; if you plan to pay for more legroom, is it cheaper to just book business class instead?

What are your best tips for saving on flights? Let me know in the Comments section below.

Comments

[Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski]

I agree with all of the above. I love flying Southwest and it doesn't always show up in search engines. You have to go to the airline website directly. They have great prices and no check-in baggage fees. ( up to 2 bags) In some cases, their planes are cleaner than certain domestic airlines. I fly from Los Angeles and LAX is usually cheaper than Burbank, Ontario and John Wayne but sometimes you get a great deal and it's worth it if you're going to a location nearby.

[Rita]

Hi Rebecca,

I'm glad you've had good luck with Southwest Airlines. They often come out on top of surveys on the top airlines.

Rita

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