How to Book a Cheap Air Flight

With the rise of the internet, the consumer has become empowered in terms of air travel. The customer is able to book directly with the airline, as well as use third parties to secure deals. Furthermore, the growth of budget airlines has impelled the market to push down the costs of flying. All of these mean that with very little effort, it is possible to book a cheap air flight using your home computer.

Instructions

1

Book your flight early if possible. Although the rise of last-minute booking sites may suggest that late booking can save money, flight prices rise dramatically in the last few weeks, since airlines rely on sales to businesspeople who book with late notice. Most airlines allow for flights to be booked up to year in advance. The earlier you book, the cheaper the flight.

2

Use a "screenscraper" website, which compares prices on given flights. Sites such as "skyscanner" (see resources) compare a wide variety of flights, so if you know where and when you'll be flying, then you can see which airlines offer this route for the least expensive rate. When you have found a cheap flight, compare it with the same flight on the airline's own website. This will allow you to minimize having to pay commission to the "screenscraper" site.

3

Book your flights in combination with your hotel to save money. If you are planning on going away for more than a week, by booking your flights as part of a package, you can often get discounts on air travel. Sites such as "Expedia" (see resources) work with airlines to drive down prices, and these can be good places to search for low-cost flights. Adding a rental car will sometimes drive the cost down even further.

4

Use a cheap-flight finder if you are more flexible on dates. "Flight checker" (see resources) searches budget airlines to find the deals on special offer. Enter an intended travel period (usually more than a month) and an intended destination, and it will search for the cheapest flights for you.

5

Keep a look out for special promotional offers by airlines. Some offer token prices, such as $1 or less for a flight, to entice customers. If you are flexible as to when and where you travel, these can be an excellent way of booking cheap air flights. Although these companies will charge for extras, such as large luggage, and food and drink on board, these costs can be avoided, and air travel can be exceptionally cheap.