Find Cheap Flights - Getting the Best Deal

As the old adage says, never pay retail

That philosophy applies to airline tickets as well. Now more than ever, knowledgeable air travelers can go bargain hunting in myriad ways. There is no need to slap down $1,000 for that flight to Los Angeles when a few minutes online or a couple of phone calls might get you the same ticket for $500 or even cheaper if you're flying with an airline charter flight

Airlines have sales like any other retailer, so don't be tempted to jump at the first ticket you see. Haggling, that time-honored way of getting a bargain, doesn't work in this case, but there are a couple of painless ways to save money right off the hop:

• Shop Around - You wouldn't think of buying the first car you saw on the lot, so why would you buy the first choice when it comes to a flight? If you do nothing else, call multiple travel agents to check prices. Chances are there will be a significant difference in cost. Repeat clients at agencies sometimes get better deals, too.
• Surf the Web - The best deals can often be found in cyberspace, usually on the airlines' sites - Web-only deals have become the norm in the industry. Other sites that allow you to pick from a handful of possibilities, such as Expedia and Travelocity, are worth checking into. Spending a couple of hours online will almost undoubtedly result in pocketing a cheaper ticket.

Cost-saving Measures

No matter where you go to buy your ticket, there are other things to keep in mind. All are guaranteed to cut back on how much cash you'll need to lay out. When you know what to look for, saving money is simple. Here are some tips:

• Travel at off-peak times - Do you really need to vacation in the Virgin Islands over the Christmas holiday? If so, fly on Christmas Day and avoid returning too close to New Year's Day. It's almost impossible to find a domestic deal during the summer, primarily July and August, but you will find cheap flights to sunny southern destinations for those months. If you avoid the high-volume travel times, you'll have more money to spend at the poolside bar.
• Look for midweek flights - Traveling on the weekend is always more expensive. Airlines don't always require a Saturday-night stay as they once did.
• Check the charters or regional carriers - Flying with the major airlines will often cost more. Booking a charter flight can save you plenty but might not offer the same flexibility. Regional airlines can also be inexpensive for those short flights.
• Wait until the last minute - A number of websites offer flights and complete vacation packages for cut-rate prices if you wait until the eleventh hour. One drawback is that a destination you had your heart set on might not be available. But, if you're adaptable and enterprising, the savings could be considerable.