Comparing Flight Prices

Comparing flight prices allows you to spend your hard earned money on a dream vacation to an exotic locale such as Tunisia, rather than on getting there. The key to savings may not be luck, but rather homework and timing.

Changing up to three times a day, flight prices can change as well as availability of seats at that price. Begin your search as soon as your vacation plans have solidified to give you the flexibility needed to grab the lowest price. Often, a ‘flex’ date can secure savings of $200.00 or more per ticket.
Internet sites are a great tool to compare flights, requiring you to simply enter your destination and preferred dates. These sites include Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, Hotwire, Kayak and Cheapair.com.

It is important to check each site, because they are not connected and offer varying price discounts. Another money saver is to combine fares, arriving at your destination by two separate fare routes, rather than one. Travelocity does offer combined fare prices.
Perhaps an old-fashioned, but still profitable, way to obtain a discount is to contact each airline. Larger airlines such as Southwest offer a ‘ding’ fare, reduced deals that can save you money.

When you purchase your airfare, make sure to buy from an airline that offers a refund should the price drop after your purchase. Some airlines charge fees to refund your difference, some as much as $200.00, while other airlines will give you your entire fare difference without a fee or offer you a discount on a future flight.
Another smart tool is to utilize sites that actually alert you about low fares by e-mail. One such site, Airfarewatchdog.com compares prices by some of the largest airlines such as Southwest. Farecompare.com offers city pair alerts and is updated three times a day, bringing the latest low prices. Orbitz.com allows users to list flexibility within three days, as well as set a target price. Once you are notified, you can easily grab the low fare quickly.

Travel agencies afford many benefits that online search sites cannot provide. Most agencies are connected to the latest prices by ATPCO, which delivers airline computer system prices. While large agencies are equipped to negotiate low airfare with suppliers, smaller agencies often belong to buying consortiums that allow them to offer you the same great prices.

Using a travel agency allows you to obtain discounts for package deals such as hotel reservations in Tunisia, as well as car rental and desert tours. These package deals can sometimes translate into the greatest airfare savings.