Travel Vacation Secrets: Getting Cheaper Airline Tickets

1. Buy your tickets well in advance

You can get discounts with some airlines by buying your tickets 3 to 5 months before you plan to leave. To get the best seats you should buy them at least twenty days beforehand. Buying your tickets early had the added advantage of avoiding any further price increases, because flights are subject to price rises quite often, especially during peak seasons such as Christmas.

2. Avoid traveling at the weekend

A good travel vacation secret is to plan your trip so you leave during the week, preferably between Monday and Wednesday. Most people want to travel at the weekend, and this means that flights can be $25 to $40 more at these times.

3. Avoid the peak season for travel

Peak season means that there is greater demand for travel at that time of year, and therefore airlines usually increase their ticket prices. If you travel during the low season there is an added advantage, besides saving on your fares, which is that there will be less crowding at airports and tourist locations. If you have to travel during peak times, however, then try to book your flight times so that you leave home very early and arrive home late, and this should help you to avoid crowds.

4. The length of your stay

You might not have realized this particular travel vacation secret, which is that the length of your stay can affect the price of your flight. Some airlines will give discounts for travelers who stay away for over a week, and return home within 90 days of departure.

5. Connecting flights

Most people think that a direct flight must be the cheapest option, however this is not necessarily the case. Connecting flights can sometimes save you as much as $1,000. It can in fact be best to book a connecting flight, provided you don't mind too much about the time factor and don't have lots of baggage.

6. Senior citizen discounts

Senior citizen discounts are available through some airlines, and often the senior citizen's companion will be eligible for the same discount. So if you are a senior citizen, or traveling with someone who is, then you should ask your airline about this.

7. Be the early bird

This is a really useful travel vacation secret: airlines release their new seat plans and fares at 12:01 in the morning on Wednesdays. If you get in straight away, you can choose the cheapest and best tickets, because you are there before everybody else.

8. Internet shopping

The internet is a very convenient way to shop, and sometimes there are discounts available through some websites for people who book through them.

Don't assume that the internet is always cheapest, however. You should also check with travel agencies, and in the newpaper, where airlines sometimes offer discounts too. Websites don't usually have travel schedules for more than 6 months ahead, so if you are planning well in advance you will need to go through an agent anyway.

Bear these travel vacation secrets in mind when planning your next trip, and you could save a lot of money.