Using the Internet to Find Cheap Air Fare

Not too many years ago, if you wanted to find a flight, you had to call up a couple of airlines and simply accept the prices they quoted. Or, you could go to a travel
agent, who could perhaps do some comparison shopping for you, but whom you had to pay a hefty commission.

Air Fare

Fortunately, today, finding a cheap airfare is easier than ever, and can be done in the comfort of your own home as you surf the internet. But how do you find the best airfares online?

What follows is our guide to the top four places to look online so that you can get the best deal on airfare.

1. Fare Finder Sites : these websites, such as Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, specialize in helping you comparison shop across a wide range of airlines. Simply enter your airports and dates, and these sites will give you lots of flights to take a look at. They are a great place to start when looking for cheap airfare online, but they do not always offer the very best rates, as we will discuss momentarily.
2. Official airline sites: surprisingly, it sometimes pays to check out what the official airline site has to say. You will occasionally find fares cheaper than those listed on fare finder sites, in part because you do not need to pay a commission. In addition, keep your eyes open for "web only specials" which let you save a little bit extra because the airline saves money on customer service representatives when you buy online.
3. Auction and "Name Your Fare" Sites: these sites, like fare finders, draw from a large number of different airlines. However, they differ in that you can attempt to name your own fare or compete with others in an online auction. You may or may not get the best possible deal on this type of site, but they are worth checking out. Be aware, however, that you may have to be flexible in that you will not get to select what time of day your flight will depart and arrive, and nor will you know the airline in advance.
4. Consolidator sites: consolidator fares are fares that an airline has not been able to sell. At the last minute, they may sell blocks of unsold seats to
   "consolidators", who sell them to the public at steep discounts. These types of flights can be great deals for the savvy consumer; however, like auction sites, you will need to be flexible in order to use them. In addition, you will have to wait until close to your departure date to purchase them.

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