Here are some “secrets” that will clue you in on how to find the best fares.
1. Low cost carriers don’t always have the lowest fares.

Low cost carriers JetBlue, Southwest and AirTran have rapidly expanded the past few years, bringing lower fares to many markets and burnishing their reputations as discount airlines. But low cost airlines don’t always offer the lowest fares. That’s because traditional airlines, which have spent the past few years in bankruptcy court slashing their own expenses, are aggressively matching or undercutting their low-cost rivals.

And though airlines like JetBlue, Southwest and AirTran generally have lower operating costs than traditional airlines, they’re feeling the squeeze of rising fuel prices too. That means you shouldn’t count out traditional airlines when looking for the best deals.

For example, a late August, roundtrip non-stop flight from New York to Orlando was $547 on JetBlue but just $504 on Delta Air Lines. Keep in mind that low-cost carriers have more consistent pricing, cap their highest fares, don’t have as many restrictions and typically offer a larger number of seats available at lower prices than traditional airlines.

So, it may be worth paying a bit more to fly them, especially if you’re flying somewhere at the last minute or may have to change your itinerary.

2. The most popular travel Web sites don’t have the same information — or the best deals.

It’s a mistake to assume that you’ll find the exact same fares on Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia, the biggest online travel agent sites, says Hobica. The sites negotiate deals with specific carriers and often have exclusive deals. So it pays to check all three and then check out individual carrier sites — and not just to avoid the $5 to $10 booking fees that third-party sites charge.

Hobica says airlines increasingly are selling their best fares on their own Web sites, so sites like Travelocity and Orbitz (which don’t have JetBlue and Southwest fares anyway) shouldn’t be the only place you look.

The bottom line for fliers: Airfares are a constantly moving target, changing as much as three times a day. Sales come and go quickly. So, if you want to find the best deals, you’ll have to shop around. But knowing how the rules work will make you a savvier shopper.

source:money.cnn.com

How firm is that 10 percent? Well, just so you know, I have spent many hours trying to confirm what several airline people have told me, and that is: If an airline promotes an airfare in the media, it must sell at least 10 percent of the seats at that fare. Sorry, but I have yet to find this rule written down, anywhere.

But let’s say it’s true; that still means 90 percent of us are not going to get the cheapest deal. That is simply an airline, economic fact of life.

But can you increase your chances of getting the cheapest airfare? Of course. Let me show you, and let’s bust some myths along the way.

Don’t Shop at the Last Minute

Shop early (but not too early).

Planes are packed these days, so the last-minute deals that helped airlines fill up their planes are no longer necessary. You may come across one from time to time, but do not count on it. Instead, start shopping (not buying) early; typically, airlines start actively managing their cheapest seats about four months before departure. Look for trends, and use technology to help you see when your destination normally has the cheapest airfare available.

Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets

Bottom line: Airfare sales tend to occur early in the week. Not always, but usually. And increases tend to occur at the end of the week.

Something else to consider: Airlines follow a herd mentality. If one starts a sale, most of the others will follow; if one raises prices, the others will soon catch up.

source: http://abcnews.go.com/