Finding Great Flight Deals Online

So, you want to take a trip, but you don't know how to find the cheapest fare? Here are a few rules about shopping for travel online:

1) Use search engines like Kayak.com or Mobissimo.com

2) Do some research about what an average price is for a destination for a certain time of year. Look at travel forums and such.

3) Travel off-season. A plane ticket to Europe from late fall, winter and early spring can be had for around $450-$500 after all fees.

4) Book WELL in advance for summer vacations!

Example: You want to go to Europe during the summer? Try to book your flight before Jan. 1st. You can get a ticket in the $750-$850 range after taxes and charges before Jan 1st. If you get your ticket in the Jan.-Mar range, expect to pay $1000-$1300. After March... well, think about changing your travel dates to the fall :).

5) When flying, search fares to airports near your destination. If you are flying from America to Europe look at flying in to some of the major airports (London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam) and then connecting to your final destination. The existence of a number of discount airlines in Europe (Easyjet, RyanAir, German Wings, AirBerlin) can save you hundreds of dollars.

Example: Say you want to go from Atlanta to Rome in June. The cheapest ticket I can find as of Feb. 16th is $1286 round trip after all fees. If you fly round trip from Atlanta to Frankfurt it is going to cost you $1018 per ticket. You can then find a ticket on one of Europe's discount airlines to Rome (this should not cost you more then $110 round trip). This will save you about $160 per ticket! It will take you a little more time to get to your destination and it may not be worth it to you for only $160, but I have saved over $400 by doing this before! If you are traveling with 4 people that is $1,600 dollars in savings!!!! Well worth a few more hours of travel.

6) Have flexible dates. Leaving and coming back a few days earlier or later can save you some serious cash!

A great vacation is cheaper and closer then you think!!!!