Below are some useful tips when searching for the lowest airfare. Please keep in mind you’re your own Travel Agent when making reservations online, so we thought you would need a little lesson in Travel 101.

Stay over a Saturday night
When searching for the lowest fare, staying over a Saturday night will usually provide the cheapest rate. Airlines have held to this rule for as long as we can remember. They assume that a business traveler is more likely to book a return flight before the weekend so they can be home with the family. With leisure travelers, they assume if they need the cheapest rate, they can stay over a Saturday night. This is not always the case in all markets, but is a requirement on most fares. Just remember that if you are provided with an unusually high quote, check your dates and make you have meet the Saturday night stay requirement.

Book in advance
Depending on the cities you are traveling to and from, the advance purchase rule will vary. In general, most airlines require at least a 14 day advance purchase for the lowest fare. In some markets it can be as little as 3 days all the way to 21 days. Making travel arrangements with less than 7 days advance purchase will, in most cases, provide the highest coach fare in that particular routing. If you are flexible, alter your travel dates until you find the lowest fare available.

Price will vary depending on the number of seats to sell
Airlines offer a certain amount seats at one price and so many at another. As the plane fills up with passengers, the rates will increase. If you have met some of the general requirements noted so far, then you may need to alter your travel dates for the lowest fare.

Travel on one airline
When selecting your travel arrangements, please use the same airline for your departure and return flights. Sometimes this is not always possible because one airline may not service your departure and destination city. In this case, our reservation will search for the lowest rates whether on one airline or three. When traveling over seas, you will not always be able to travel on the same airline, this rule does not always apply to international travel.

Days of the week
Traveling on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to travel. If you are flexible in your travel dates you might try altering your dates to meet these days, this is not always the case. The best thing is to play around with your travel plans.

Holidays
Everyone knows that Holidays are busy times of the year and is the same case when traveling by air. If possible, avoid traveling around holidays. Traveling on the actual holiday (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) are usually available. Most travelers do not like to travel on the actual holiday. Traveling the weekend before Christmas is likely to be booked which will cause fares to be higher. If you are planning on traveling for the holidays, the best thing to do is book your travel well in advance. Some of the most popular destinations during holidays are Florida, California, Hawaii, New York, and Mexico.

Seasons
Just like holidays, there are destinations that many people prefer to travel to during particular seasons. Summer is considered peak travel times for Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe. These destinations are likely to average a higher airfare then if you traveled during the fall or winter. Many people we hear from will say, "I just traveled to Europe in October and only paid $300.00, why is it $700.00 now?" Airlines realize that during certain times of the year more people are flying to certain destinations, knowing this they will increase prices to turn a higher profit. Keep this in mind when making your reservations.