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.

The Rules For Finding Cheap Airline Tickets

RULE #1 - BE FLEXIBLE

Sure, this isn’t always possible. But the more flexible you can be on dates and departure cities, the better chance youll have at the cheapest possible fares.

What To Do:

• Keep your travel plans as fluid as possible
• Check out prices at multiple airports; some may have lower fares than your home airport

RULE #2 - KNOW WHAT A CHEAP TICKET SHOULD COST

Sound obvious?

Well, I knew a man who was utterly delighted with his bargain flight from Los Angeles to Dallas for a mere $520. I can still hear his screams, when I told him he could have gotten the ticket for $300 less.

What to Do:

• Go to FareCompare.com, and plug in your cities for your trip, then click Research Cheapest Airfares (as opposed to Exact Travel Dates)
• Click Find Fares and you”ll see prices and star-symbols: 3-stars means a good buy, 4-stars is a great buy. Also check at the bottom of the page, on the left for the year-long pricing history

RULE #3 - TRAVEL ON THE CHEAPEST DAYS AND CHEAPEST TIMES

Not all days are created the same; you want to avoid the beginning and end of the week since thats most popular with business travelers (and, most expensive).

What To Do:

• Cheapest Travel Days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
• Most Expensive Travel Days: Monday and Friday
• Cheapest Time of Day to Travel: Evening (except on Friday and Sunday)

RULE #4 - ADVANCE PURCHASE

Business travelers pay a premium, because when the boss says fly they have to go. Immediately. Make sure you don’t plan your leisure travel that way.

What To Do:

• Always buy your tickets at least 14-days in advance of your departure

RULE #5 - ALWAYS USE FARECOMPARE.COM

FareCompare’s technology enables us to present you with the cheapest fares before anyone else. Before the other travel websites, even before the airlines. And the service is free.

What To Do:

• Go to FareCompare.com
• Sign up for our Free Email Alert System located on the home page. This is easy, and quick
• Wait for our emails alerting you to great deals
• You will hear about the best deals first. Guaranteed.