How To Book The Best Fares
If you’re searching for the best available fares, there are a few tricks and tools that will help you find what’s out there quickly and easily. –>Click on the images to enlarge, refer to the red boxed highlights.
We also provide a fare search service at www.tellurideflyer.com, check it out!
First a couple tips to start with (see below for added detail):
1. Travel Off-Peak
2. Be Flexible on Dates and Days of the Week
3. Book Ahead
Google has a great system at www.google.com/flights :
In your initial search on the homepage, a grid will automatically come up showing best fares through the month. They also have a great graph across the bottom that you can slide your mouse over to scroll through the best fares. On the lower right, you can click to expand the graph to more easily scroll the prices.
If the grid and graph doesn’t come up, or you’re further into the search, you can click on the icon link at any time.
Kayak has been the industry leader for the last few years, and also has some great tools: www.kayak.com
A pricing grid will also appear on the initial search page, and there are some great options once you’re into the search.
In the upper left column, you can click on +/-3Day to expand to a pricing graph, and you can also click on Fare Charts or Price Trend to get the current trend, pricing forecast, and advice whether to buy now or wait.
TIPS With Added Detail:
1. Travel Off-Peak. Whether that is on a Wednesday to Wednesday schedule, or in early February rather than mid-March, you will find better fares on less-busy travel days and weeks of the year.
2. Be Flexible. If you can adjust your travel within a 3-day timeframe, many times you can find a better fare – e.g. come out on the Friday rather than the Saturday.
3. Book Ahead. Airlines target business travelers for their short booking windows – and charge corresponding high prices. Make sure to book at least 7 days ahead, and many times 14 or 21 day advance purchases will mean extra savings.