Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets - Ways To Find Them

These days, it seems as though it's common knowledge that if you need to fly somewhere it is going to cost you way more than you are willing to spend. A round-trip airline ticket can cost you hundreds of dollars and that's only for one person! Taking a family vacation can be a financial nightmare if you don't know exactly how to find the best deals. Below is a quick guide to finding dirt cheap airline tickets.

1. Buy Way in Advance

You can count on ticket prices climbing around peak traveling periods such as Christmas. Airlines usually hike up the prices 21 days, then 14, then 7 and finally, 3 days before each flight. Grabbing a ticket early enough allows you to steer clear of price inflation. If you are planning on flying internationally you will need to book your flight even earlier, up to six months earlier.

2. Last Minute Deals

It's always good to purchase tickets in advance but if you are lucky you may be able to snag a great last minute deal if the airline still has a lot of room left on their planes. Some airlines put out weekly newsletters which contain all their best last minute deals. Web sites like Last Minute Travel can also help you find all the latest last minute airline deals.

3. Do Your Homework

Shop around for the best deals possible; don't just go with the first fare that comes up. Compare prices using one of the major online traveling services such as Travelocity or Expedia. Also try aggregator web sites such as Kayak. Using these services can help you find the best rate possible for your particular trip. While you're there you can check around to see if any airlines are running specials or promotions that you may be interested in.

4. Knowing When to Buy

It can be easy to track the rising and falling prices of airline fares but actually knowing when to buy is tricky. A great resource for those flying in the United States is Farecast, which provides fare predictions for over 75 cities. All you have to do is enter your itinerary information and Farecast will tell you whether to buy now or wait it out, depending on which way the fare is predicted to rise or fall.

Another important way to know when to buy is by keeping in mind that many airlines put out fare sales each week on Tuesday and Wednesday. So if you can book on those days you have a better chance of snagging a good deal.

5. Go with Discounters

They may not be as popular or even an airline you have heard for that matter, but the truth is that you can save yourself a ton of money by ditching the major airlines and opting for a discounter. These airlines are a little harder to find but they are gaining more popularity on booking web sites and feed aggregators.

It's easy to find dirt cheap airline tickets if you know where to look and when to book. Keeping these tips in mind each time you fly can save you a bundle.

Jim Warren is a consumer advocate, loves to write about dirt cheap airline tickets. He reveals insider secrets hotels, airlines, car rental agencies and cruise lines don't want you to know. For more info visit: http://www.costlytravelmistakes.com