Travel

• Computer Internet access

Step 1

Stay flexible when setting dates for travel. When using sites like Travelocity, Kayak or Orbitz to find a cheap flight, select the Flexible Dates box, which lets you find the dates that have the cheapest flights.

Step 2

Buy the tickets at least two weeks in advance to find better deals. The best time to buy cheap, domestic flight tickets is three weeks before the plane leaves. The best rates for international flights can be found about 30 days in advance of the flight s departure.

Step 3

Forget what you think you know about cheap flights. In recent years, common wisdom said that staying over on a Saturday night would help you find a cheaper flight on a Sunday. Now, however, no discernible difference exists between prices when flying on a Saturday or on a Sunday.

Step 4

Look for flights that depart and return during one of the days in the middle of the week. Airlines know that most people travel on the weekends, and will pay higher fares.

Step 5

Check the round-trip prices. Even if flying one way, you may be able to find round-trip tickets for less money. Although no easily understandable explanation exists for why it s true, you can often save money by booking a round-trip flight.

Avoid traveling on busy days. Most people fly the day before a holiday and the day or two after a holiday. For example, many people fly on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and return on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you can leave on a Tuesday and return on a Friday, Saturday or Monday, you may find a cheaper flight.

Buy flight/hotel packages if you need a last-minute flight. For packages not sold within a couple of days before a flight will depart, the companies that offer them sometimes let the full package go for less than the price of the airline ticket alone.