Unless you are a frequent business flyer and have your air fares paid for by a company you will need to consider how to save money on air fares.

There is a wide variety of air fares available to travelers. Here are some useful tips on how to save money when booking air fares:

Be flexible

Be flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (often Tuesday through Thursday, or Friday night through Sunday morning) or particular hours of the day for example, late-night departures.

Plan Ahead

Plan as far ahead as you can. Most airlines set aside only a few seats on many desirable flights at the lower rates. The real best bargains often sell out very quickly. On the other hand, if a particular flight is not selling as well as expected, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available for a particular flight just before the advance purchase deadline expires.

Search for Bargains

While planning ahead is a good general rule, if you can bide your time you might encounter a "fare sale." Many airlines put seats on sale for brief periods several times a year. It is difficult to predict when these sales will occur, although they often fall during times when people are less likely to buy airline tickets for example; early autumn or right immediately after the New Year holiday period.

Select Airport

Air fares can vary depending on which airport you depart from. Always check on alternate airports and routings when pricing a ticket.

Low Cost Airlines

Look into all airlines that serve the destination you are interested in, including low-cost carriers that offer low fares. On a low-cost carrier, find out what you get for your money: baggage transfers from one carrier to another, meals, advance seat assignments, etc.

Use a Travel Agent

Consider using a travel agent. Agents usually do not charge a fee (they get a commission from the airline), and they can tell you about sources of discounted seats that are not available directly from the airline.

Check Air Fare

After you buy your ticket, you may wish to call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to confirm your reservations and check the fare. Fares change all the time, and if that same fare goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference. But you have to ask.

Restrictions

Ask about all restrictions on your fare. Typical requirements for discount fares include purchasing a round-trip ticket, buying the ticket a certain number of days before departure for example, at least 14 or 21 days before you leave, purchasing the ticket within 24 hours of making a reservation, staying over a Saturday night, traveling during a certain time of the year, staying no more than 30 days, and refund/change restrictions.

Ask about your ability to change or cancel your flight if you need to. Even if you get sick, you cannot assume you will get a refund. In fact, most discount tickets now are non-refundable.

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