Travel

#How to get the cheapest airfare every time

How to get the cheapest plane tickets possible in 10 easy steps, from search engines and major airlines to bidding sites, consolidator fares, vacation packages, last-minute deals, and travel bargain newsletters

We'll get to the whole 10-Step bit in just a minute. First, links to the answers to the two Big Questions.

So, How Do I Find the Cheapest Airfare?

Ah, the heart of the matter. Remember that old travel truism: no two people flying in the cheap seats actually paid the same price for their tickets, even though they're going to the same place and getting the same service.

Reid's shortcut to the best fares

All of the airfare hunting techniques mentioned on this site have merit, but, honestly, if I had to narrow it down to three crucial places to check, they would be:

1) The aggregator Momondo

2) The consolidator AutoEurope

Nine times out of ten, I end up booking my plane tickets to Europe through one of those methods. The guy in 22B might have ponied up $1,300, while the person in 22C with whom he amiably chats during takeoff paid just $320 (note to person in 22C: don't break it to him; you'll ruin his vacation).

This site will help you be that guy in 22C.

The secret to landing the least expensive plane tickets every time is to know where the deals are, search wisely, and never pay retail if you can avoid it.

Here is cheat sheet on how to do this: a brief roundup of all the tips, steps to take, and websites to use to find the cheapest airfare. Click on any one to get much more information and tips on that particular technique.

1. Know that timing is everything

Don't pay retail

With many airlines now charging to check even a single bag, or to pick your own seat, or for the meal, headsets, and even a pillow and blanket, it helps to know the a la carte fees before you fly. These sites take stock of the current fees status: