10 Ways to Save on Airline Tickets

Finding the best price on airfare can be a daunting task.

The rise of travel Web sites and deals on airline sites themselves have given travelers a multitude of ways to search for inexpensive fares. But what tricks do you need to know to ensure you get the best possible price? And where, exactly, should you look?

Here are some steps that you can take to find the best fares and some issues to consider that may help you to find a better deal:

Be Flexible

Flexibility in your travel plans will go a long way in helping you find a better price on airline tickets. Here's a look at some of the considerations:

1. Departure times: Most people don't like to fly in the very early morning or on "red eye" overnight flights, but sometimes airlines need to schedule these times to get their planes to a different destination. If you are willing to fly at odd hours, you may be able to save some money on your ticket.

2. Days: If you don't have to arrive or return on specific days, then you can usually get a better rate flying on a day that is less crowded (usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays). Many of the top travel sites allow you to factor in a window of a few days into the travel dates you search. If you do find a better deal on one day over another, be sure to take all factors into account. If you save $50 by flying in on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday, but then have to pay an extra $100 for a hotel room and have to rent a car for an extra day, you can actually end up losing money.