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…

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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