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Buying a Plane Ticket Without Taking Out a Loan | Gritty Globe
Pre-Travel Info
Buying a Plane Ticket Without Taking Out a Loan
Purchasing airfare is a nailbiter. Sometimes it seems that the prices of plane tickets obey rules so obscure and erratic that even physics can’t pin them down.
The truth is, there are a few simple ways to ensure that you get a fair rate.
Photo by Steve B.
Go to a discount plane ticket site! This seems silly, but there are a few good resources out there that a lot of people just don’t use. Cheaptickets.com and Orbitz.com have both served me well. If one isn’t the lowest price, the other one is. The reason that these sites find really cheap routes is because the cheapest ones use multiple carriers. You’re essentially flying on a hodge podge of airlines. This is why going directly to an airline’s website, like Delta, and planning your trip with them, can sometimes be more costly. Places like farecompare.com will show you prices from a range of sites.
LastMinute.com is a cool option for that spur-of-the-moment adventure. They also offer specialized "last second deals" that might prompt you to take an unplanned detour for the right price.
Studentuniverse.com, while promising to serve students by offering cheaper airfare, has never been able to rival the likes of Cheaptickets or Orbitz. Students can sometimes get discounts on airfare, but this seems to be the rule in Europe moreso than in the States.
Use Coupon Code CHEAPOAIR10 to Save $10 Off All International Flights at CheapOair.com
Fly on off days. Picking not-hot days of the week is a money-saver. Believe it or not, there going to be a difference in your airfare if you fly back on a Sunday versus a Tuesday! Certain days, like Fridays and Sundays, are popular days for beginning or returning from a trip, so if you want to avoid the high rates that come with high volume travel days, pick an obscure day of the week. Leave on a Tuesday, and come back on a Thursday. A lot of sites offer comparisons within it, like selecting nearby airports. Playing around with dates, times, and preferences is a good way to gauge what your airfare should realistically be. Don’t buy on your first search. Buy on the fifth, sixth or seventh time around.
Fly standby. Some adventurers have claimed that flying standby is a great way to get from Point A to Point B for cheap. Ever flown standby? Tell us about it.
Book with plenty of time. Usually, buying your tickets at least 2 weeks in advance is the best way to ensure a lower fare. While there are sites that specialize in last-minute deals, like the site listed above, buying your ticket well ahead of your expected departure date is a smart maneuver.