Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Airfare

No matter where you are flying to it always pays to do some research to get the best price for your airfare.  If you have a general time frame of when you wish to travel but haven't picked the exact dates yet it is a good idea to start checking the airlines to see when the rates are at their lowest .  When it comes to comparing airline prices I prefer to use travel sites such as Expedia or Travelocity as a time-saving tool rather than going to each airline's website as most of the big carriers are represented.  Other airlines such as Southwest and Spirit can also be looked up individually to get comparison prices.

I have found that mid-week flights are usually cheaper than weekend flights and that most airlines require a Friday or Saturday stay to get the best prices so this is something you may want to consider when planning your trip. You may be surprised at the difference in price between a Saturday to Saturday trip vs. a Wednesday to Wednesday. Also, if you are looking to book a trip last minute keep in mind that airline prices can climb significantly when it is less than two weeks before the departure date.  You may also find that there is a trade-off between flying at a less convenient time that saves you money vs. flying at a more convenient time that is more expensive.  You will need to decide how much that difference in time is worth to you.

Travel insurance is another subject that you will need to consider. Most airlines offer optional travel insurance when you book your trip. The cost and coverage can vary by carrier so you should read what they are offering and decide for yourself if your circumstances merit purchasing the insurance or not.

Other things to keep in mind these days are the extra fees that many airlines now charge for things such as a checked luggage, pillows, blankets, headphones and snacks.  There are a few low-cost carriers that still have free checked bags such as Southwest Airlines but whether that policy will last is unknown.  On the other side of the coin, Spirit Airlines currently charge their customers for carry-on luggage.  All of these extra fees are something to take into account when choosing an airline as they will add to the total cost of the flight.  The checked luggage fees can vary so it is best to check each carrier for current prices, keeping in mind most give you a small discount for paying in advance online rather than waiting until you get to the airport.  As far as the other items airlines charge for once onboard, it is your choice to purchase them or not.  Personally, I have my own travel pillow and blanket that I purchased at a store for a few dollars a piece which can be reused by me over and over for upcoming trips.  If you already own a set of headphones add them to the packing list and put them in your carryon luggage and you've saved yourself a few bucks.  Lastly, I always pack my own snacks in my carry-on as well as throwing an empty water bottle in my bag which I fill up at the water fountain at the airport after going through security.  Although most airlines still give you something to drink at some point during your flight I prefer to have my water bottle in the seat pocket in front of me throughout the flight as needed.  These are just a few things I do to keep more money in my pocket rather than the airlines.

Once you have chosen the flight best suited to your needs and budget your next step is to book it before the price goes up or the flight is full.  You can certainly play the waiting game to see if the price goes down but don't say I didn't warn you that it may go the other direction.  When you do decide to book, I myself prefer to book flights directly through the airline's website as I belong to many airline rewards programs and I earn miles towards future travel.  I could go into much more detail about the pros and cons of airline rewards programs but I shall save that for another day.  For now, I will just say that I would recommend signing up if the airline has a program as it may prove itself useful in the future.  Booking flights thru the airlines toll-free number now usually results in being charged an additional fee so I don't recommend it.

Hopefully this information has helped you in finding an economical flight and you can check this off your list and move on to saving money on other aspects of your upcoming trip.

Making Vacation a Priority

Times are tough and money is tight. So I guess taking a vacation is out of the question ... or is it.


My husband and I have been more frugal these last couple of years as the economy has hurt us as it has just about everyone else. It is a rare occasion that we eat out, go to the movie theater, or attend a concert these days. Our discretionary income is pretty low compared to days past but the one thing we have chosen to make a priority in our lives is something we have had in common since we married 16 years ago and that is traveling.


We have found that taking time off away from home is simply necessary for us to regain some sanity in our lives. We have vacationed many places over the years and each has offered its own serenity for us. The locations you want to visit may be vastly different from mine but the effect should be the same. You will come back with a more positive outlook on life and isn't that alone worth the trip.


I know there are many others who also want to make travel a priority in their lives including single travelers, couples, friends and families. I have done all of these trips and will be sharing my knowledge of vacationing on a budget including tips and tricks I've learned over the years and hope you will find it useful when planning your next trip to wherever your heart takes you.