When is the Best Time to Buy Cheap Airfares?

I am not sure how “clairvoyant” I am but I will provide some facts that might shed some light on “When is the best time to buy air travel?”

I wish I could wave a magic wand and instantly tell you the exact and perfect time to buy air travel. In reality the best time to buy is city-pair specific and depends on your tolerance for risk.

That’s right!! Purchasing airline tickets is very similar to the stock market where there are normally only a few perfect times a year to purchase. Most people I speak to have more than a slight pang of anxiety just before hitting that button that dings their credit card because they know that the person on the plane next to them — just might be paying less.

That said there are many timely tips and tricks to making the perfect purchase. For those of you who wish to get into the details then read on — or skip to the end for the tips and tricks…

Starting May 5^th, United will start charging you $25 (each way!) to check a second bag. The first one is still free (and so is the second if you are an elite Mileage Plus member).

A lot of the airlines are doing something similar according to this story in the Dallas Morning News; just another way to make some money.

For example: Spirit is upping its price for checked baggage to $10 each way, each bag, and that’s if you make online reservations to check your bags. If you just show up at the airport, bag in hand, wanting to check your luggage, make that $20 each way.

But, wait, there’s more!

This tip isn’t always true, but it works often enough so I have to pass it along: if you want a cheap hotel room in Las Vegas, stay over on a Tuesday or Wednesday or for more than 2 nights.

Case in point: during Grumpy Santa’s Marathon Flight Fest, we all met up at the Luxor on a Tuesday, and our terrific rooms were just $59 a night. Just a few days later, though, the price more than doubled.

Hotels have rate rules that lower prices based on length of stay (even sometimes not offering 1 or 2 night rooms at all).

Of course, sometimes you can find weekend deals…but better check first or you’re really rolling the dice.

Liked this story? Then check out “Destination: Las Vegas“

Okay, here’s how the iPhone fits into these tips: you see, the whole experience of purchasing airfare in this coming year, does have some similarities to being the first on your block to own the iPhone last year.

Well, you’ll just have to trust me on this.

Seriously, I’ve got a lot to say about how to find the best airfare in an increasingly competitive environment, plus, at the end, my 7-great tips! Just click here to see it all.

I am about to tell you about an easy-to-use FareCompare technology tool that will help you save plenty.

It’s a little trick I want to share that makes it easy to figure out how to purchase the cheapest airfare available.

Add to that our special FareCompare insights, and you’re way ahead of everyone else. Keep reading by clicking here…you won’t want to miss this!

Here’s where we show you the longest and slo-o-o-o-owest security-checkpoint lines, in individual airports.

Is there anything worse than standing in long lines?

Well, yes…but long airport lines aren’t a lot of fun.

Did your airport make the list? Some of the results may surprise you, as you’ll see by clicking here.

Have you ever found a really cheap ticket on FareCompare.com and then (since FareCompare doesn’t sell tickets) an we send you to the airline or online travel agency to buy the airline ticket, and WHOA! They don’t have it.

They only show higher prices for the flight you want.

Well, we’re here to help you take advantage of those low airfares.

We have all heard it, “Turn of all electronic devices or we will toss you out the door which is impossible to open after cabin pressurization…”

So what exactly will happen, if you talk on your cell on the plane or you put your hard drive through security

You don’t have to be glued to your computer to find cheap airfares.In fact you really should be letting technology find you the best deal — a technology that gets you the information first - before it hits the actual airlines sites.

In an environment where there a fewer and fewer cheap seats being first to know is vital to having a chance at those elusive cheap prices.

But we at FareCompare.com can help. In fact, with our FREE Email Alerts, planning a summer vacation can actually be a lot of fun.Oh, and don’t miss Tip #6, for winter holiday vacation planning.

“Do-it-yourself travel planning isn’t always a lot of fun.” - Rick Seaney

Yep, I said it, and yep, I’m the CEO of FareCompare.com, which I think is the best travel planning site on the web.

BUT - travel planning can be painless with FareCompare’s insider tool:

Airfare Email Alerts…

Not everyone pays the same price for airfare on the same flight.

So, how can you be the one who pays the least amount possible for airfare by always finding the best deals first?

I have some insider tips that can make the airfare purchasing process easier, faster, and a lot less expensive.

If it’s your first time visiting FareCompare, welcome!

And keep reading to find out what we do, what we don’t do, and how we can help you find the best deals on airfare faster and easier than anyone else.

Headed to Canada?

It used to be that you didn’t need anything much in the way of documents - a drivers’ license if you were going by land, a birth certificate if you took a plane.

But THINGS HAVE CHANGED; you now need a passport to get BACK into the States.

These rules apply to travel between the US and Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean islands…

State Department announced new requirements for American citizens flying into the States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, most travel-savvy people figured on a few delays and foul-ups.

Instead, an outright disaster ensued!

When is the best time to buy your airplane tickets?

Rick Seaney, here, CEO of FareCompare.com.

I’m often asked, When’s the best time to buy cheap airfares?

I have some answers and I think some of them will surprise you…

Planning a Summer Getaway?

Let FareCompare help you find the best deals and help you plan the perfect vacation.

We find you the lowest airfares first, so you can spend your summer visiting your dream destination for less.

Bean counters from Wall Street financial houses have been running around talking to the U.S. domestic airlines, trying to convince them to spin off their frequent flier programs into separate entities outside of the airline itself.

Air Canada’s done it, and it seems others are talking about it…

…then you’ve come to the right place! Find out the fastest and easiest way to find cheap tickets for air travel.

Don’t pay more than you need to, and don’t miss out on airfare sales and great travel deals.

Let FareCompare find you the lowest airfare, first.

Got ten bucks? A measly $10? Terrific, because that paltry sum can buy you a plane ticket on Skybus.

But wait, theres more: In the summer of 2007, the cheapest airline tickets for North America were 15% LOWER than the previous year (we may see something similar in 2008).

Summer travel to Europe can feature amazing (but hard-to-find) deals, and FareCompare.com finds them. Ready for some really great summer travel tips? Click Here.

Okay, there’s been a death in the family, or, Grandma insists you visit or you’re out of the will, or, your kid in college is about to drop out and join a cult.

So, you’ve got to get on a plane. You know it’s going to be pricey, but you also know: YOU. MUST. GO.

So, are you doomed to pay a $1,000 for your airline ticket?

Well…not necessarily! Here are some tips for finding cheap airfare at the very last minute…

Here’s the real low-down: When is the best time to buy really cheap airfares?

I’ll give you a big hint right here: use the tools and technology on FareCompare.com.

That’s the way to guarantee you get the very best price available. Now, here are some other great tips that will help you pay less for airfare.

So you and the family are going to take a trip; there are 5-of you altogether. So, while shopping for tickets, the website asks, “how many passengers?” and you naturally type in the number “5″, right?

WRONG.

You may have just cost yourself big money.

Find out why, and learn how to avoid paying too much in the future…

How do you find the cheapest airfares? Its not easy.

Airlines don’t want to make it easy.

They’re in business to make money. But it can be done with education, experience, timing, luck, and FareCompare.com.

Ready? Here are The Rules.