|
|
Finding the lowest fare isn't always easy. Discount fares
typically have rules and restrictions that can be difficult
-- sometimes frustrating -- to interpret. If you're looking
for the cheapest ticket, the following are some helpful
hints.
Airlines sell only a limited number of seats at the lowest
fares. When those seats sell out on a particular flight, the
price goes up. Additionally, many discount fares require
that you make a reservation 7, 14 or 21 days before your
trip depending on the fare. The best international fares
often require a reservation 30 days in advance. To
get a particular fare, read the fare rules!
Flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday usually offer the
lowest fares. Fares are sometimes (but not always) higher on
Monday and Friday than on other weekdays. Saturday flights
occasionally have discount fares, but as a rule it's more
expensive to fly on a weekend than a weekday. Most low fares
require that you stay over at least one Saturday night
before your return flight. Some fares may require you to
stay a minimum of 3 or 4 days. To
get a particular fare, read the fare rules!
Many discount fares carry restrictions on flights and times.
For example, a fare may only be available on certain flight
numbers, in the morning, or late at night. To
get a particular fare, read the fare rules! In
general, the booking system will find the cheapest flights
and times for a particular airline.
Some discount fares are only available at certain airports
in a major metropolitan area.
- For Los Angeles (LAX), consider Burbank (BUR), Orange
County (SNA), or Ontario (ONT).
- For San Francisco (SFO), consider San Jose (SJC) or
Oakland (OAK).
- For Miami (MIA), Ft. Lauderdale (FLL).
To get a particular fare, read
the fare rules! In general, the booking system will
search for the cheapest fare available at all metropolitan
airports when you choose cities such as New York (NYC),
Washington, DC (WAS), Chicago (CHI), Dallas (QDF), Houston (QHO),
London (LON), or Paris (PAR).
|
|
|
|
