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 1.
Search flexibility
USTINET Travel Center offers multiple search engines to find the
most competitive rates on the net. With a little diligence, you
can find the lowest fares available on the net.
Try both our
advanced and our . Both will yield slightly different results
depending on your search criteria. So what's the difference? The lists all flights available in all classes
and prices. Always check the restrictions.
2. Date flexibility is a plus
Be flexible. — Being flexible with your dates is always a plus!
In some cases one day earlier or one day later, for either or both
departure and return dates, can lead to substantial savings.
3. Avoid weekend departures
Weekdays are less costly. — Avoiding departures on Friday to
Sunday, particularly on long-haul flights, can save the usual $50
to $100 weekend surcharge that most airlines charge.
4. Sunday rule
Stay a Sunday. — One of the most common low fare restrictions is the requirement for your stay to incorporate at least one
Sunday, even flying back on Sunday sometimes qualifies. For example, for a round-trip New York to Miami a passenger flying Tuesday to Thursday might pay USD 328, but a passenger whose stay includes a Sunday would pay much less - USD 188.
5. Advance purchasing
Cheap seats don't last. — Often holding out until the last
minute is not a good idea on popular routes or trans-oceanic
flights. The least expensive fares often require advance purchasing - 7, 14, 21, days etc. before departure. You should keep in mind that seats for these cheapest fares are limited. The earlier you plan your trip the better your chances of getting a good fare.
6. Flight times
Red-eye flights can save you. — Airlines usually offer early morning and late evening flights - right before and after midnight when air traffic is light - at cheaper rates. If your time schedule allows, you might want to consider booking night flights to save money.
7. One way and round trip fares
Restricted round-trips often are cheaper. — Although one-way fares are usually half the price of the most expensive round-trip fares,
the most restricted round-trip tickets are usually cheaper than the one-way tickets. Check both the one-way and the round-trip fare for your trip, even if you're only traveling one-way.
8. Are both legs of your trip with the same airline?
It is important to book the same airline for both legs of your trip. If you select different airlines for your outbound and return journeys you may not get any price showing at all. If you do get a price, it is likely to be significantly higher than the price you would get by booking with the same airline both ways. It depends whether the airlines have negotiated prices and agreements and whether they have any kind of mutual relations at all.
9. Check the restrictions
These tips and others can be found on the Air Fare Rules page, viewable when using the Fares method for booking. We highly recommend that you read these rules carefully before making your reservation.
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