How About November in Paris?

To combat the bias toward U.S. airlines and court American travelers, carriers who fly under foreign flags tend to offer not only the best service but also the best deals. Consider this: Singapore Air offers a round-trip flight from New York to Frankfurt for $397, including all taxes and fees, roughly $200 cheaper than what you'd pay in the summer. The offer is good through Sept. 13, and you must travel between Nov. 1 and Dec. 16. The best nonstop deal from an American-based carrier? According to Orbitz, Continental has a nonstop for $433, followed by Delta at $491.

Flying foreign means lower prices and better service, and because of the bias, it could result in a better seat too.

"One thing to keep in mind when you're dealing with foreign carriers that fly to Europe, there's a good chance you'll find more seats available on the flights because the U.S. carriers always sell out first," said Geoff Silvers, director of merchandizing for Orbitz.

Timing Is Everything

The best travel deals invariably go to those jobless wunderkinds with disposable income who can fly off at whim, taking advantage of those last-minute weekend fares you can only read about in the paper. By knowing the proper days to book travel to Europe, you can have the same flexibility as those jet-setting do-nothings, without having to quit your job. This is particularly important when it comes to the most popular destinations (see chart).

"In terms of Europe, the key is to travel a bit more on the weekdays," said Silvers. "If you're looking to go away for the weekend, try to stay until Tuesday. Sundays are bad, Mondays are a bit better, but Tuesdays have the best deals. The middle part of the week is where the best deals are."

And because the airlines are trying to keep fares high for as long as possible, the first wave of fall sales covers travel starting Nov. 1.