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The people who set gas prices and the people who set airline ticket prices must be best friends. One day it's this price, the next it jumps way up, then it drops even lower than before, only to even out for a couple days before doing it all over again. But little do many people know, the prices for flights are actually determined by complex computer algorithms that are made to set seating prices that will maximize profits. So, basically there's some little devilish computer that is made to make your life worse. And although you can't technically ever figure that algorithm out, you can certainly strategize to find the best deals and prices (hint: it's going to require a lot of your attention). Find out how with these 10 Tips For Getting The Best Prices On Airline Tickets.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect day or time to buy a ticket.
If you do a Google search on finding the best airline ticket deals, you will find a lot of articles telling you to buy 20 days, maybe 30 days, possibly no more than 50 days in advance. They will tell you to book on Tuesdays, preferably in the mornings. Or was it Mondays? The truth is that the computer algorithms used by Airlines are extremely complex and each airline updates its software differently, so there can never be one blanket set of rules that would apply to all airlines. The sooner you get that into your head, the better off you'll be.
Plan ahead but remain flexible.
It is best to start searching for ticket deals the moment you learn that you will be travelling. That way, you can browse through a variety of deals over a certain period of time before committing to a purchase. If your travelling tends to be more flexible, you could use "shot in the dark" features like the "name your own price" option at Priceline. But if you choose that route, you won't know the airline or the time of the flight until you buy.
Be tech savvy. This means Twitter and mobile applications.
If you are a Twitter expert, you will have acess to real-time deals that go fast! You will also be a couple of steps ahead of all those people who receive email updates on flight deals instead of using Twitter. Mobile applications are another great way to get real-time updates, giving you almost instantaneous access to great deals.
Build up frequent flier miles by remaining loyal to one airline.
If you're constantly on the go, try to fly with the same airline, or at least an airline that is part of a bigger points conglomerate. Once you start to build your profile, you'll get a variety of perks, whether it's free flights, better seats, upgrades, access to airport lounges, or priority boarding. The most important part of that obviously being points = free flights.
Or you could mix and match airlines.
If you don't travel often, it might not be necessary to remain loyal to one airline, so go ahead and mix and match. You might find that you could get the best deal to your destination using Southwest, but might get a better return trip deal using American Airlines instead. In this case, buying from two different airlines could save you a lot of money.
Check multiple airports.
If there are multiple airports at your starting point or at your destination, then it would be best to check all your options. Sometimes, the few extra bucks you might spend driving to an airport that it a little farther away is worth it to save bigger cash on your flight.
Buy from airlines that refund the difference of flights that go down after you buy.
This really only applies to JetBlue, Southwest, and Alaska airlines at the moment, but it can save you a lot of money if you're attentive
If you're buying multiple tickets, consider buying the tickets separately to reduce the overall price.
It would be best to start your search for the whole group so that you can make sure that there are enough seats available on the flight. Next, try searching for individual tickets and compare the prices. For example, you might want to buy four tickets and find that one or two seats are selling for $50 less than the other seats. In this case, buying the tickets individually could save you $100.
Book flights off-season.
It's obvious, but it should still be said. Everybody knows that the airports will be crowded over Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and the summer holidays. Everybody wants to travel at those times, so prices will naturally be higher. If you are planning a vacation, you might want to consider travelling off-season, when nobody else is in the air.
Make good use of your stopovers and layovers.
The more changeovers and layovers you have, the lower the price of your ticket. You should know that by now. So, you might as well save some money and make the best of it. If you are travelling overseas, it might be a good idea to extend your stopover and actually tour the city for a couple of days, if you can afford the time. This would be a great way to maximize on your travelling opportunities while still saving money.