How to Get the Cheapest Airfare Possible

Use multiple resources to to find the cheapest possible airfare. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images )

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Spend more of your money on enjoying your vacation and less on getting to the destination by finding the cheapest airfare possible when you travel. Using fare aggregators like Orbitz (orbitz.com) and Travelocity (travelocity.com) is an efficient way to get an idea of the range of airfares, but prices you pull up using such services aren't always available. Consult airline websites, niche-specific travel agencies -- and be as flexible as possible with your travel plans -- in order to maximize your chances of finding the cheapest airfare possible.

Step 1

Broaden your airfare search to include alternate dates -- airfare search engines include the option for travel plus or minus one, two and sometimes three days -- and nearby airports. Flying out of San Antonio, Texas, instead of Austin, for example, may result in a cheaper fare on some flights, while flight departing one day may be significantly more expensive than the day before or after.

Step 2

Fly during the middle of the week when possible and avoid flying at peak times, such as around or during holidays. Greater demand allows airlines to charge higher fares, so fly when demand is lower to get the best rates.

Step 3

Check fares on individual airline websites if you aren't satisfied with what you find using fare aggregators like Hotwire (hotwire.com) and Expedia (expedia.com). Airlines don't always sell all fares to these aggregators. If an airline is running a special, it may only sell the discounted tickets on its website.

Take advantage of your student or youth status and search flights using a student traveler service like StudentUniverse (studentuniverse.com) or STA Travel (statravel.com). These services sell special fares intended for youth and student travelers. Verify your student status -- with a ".edu" email address, for example -- to purchase these fares.

Price a round-trip itinerary, even if you only need to fly one way. In some instances, airlines charge a premium for one-way flights, causing the airfare to exceed the would-be cost of a round-trip ticket. Contact the airline after taking the outbound leg of your flight to inquire about receiving a credit for the unused return leg. Use caution when exercising this option, however. It is against many airlines' policies and may prevent you from receiving frequent flier miles for travel.