Here are some tried and true tips from Rob Pelton (of National Geographic) on how to get the cheapest airline tickets. His take home message? “Low, low airfares aren’t always on the Web.” His top tips?
- Some deals can’t be found online. That’s because many low budget airlines don’t have ticket offices accessible from the Internet, or from the Internet in the states.
- Local ticket agents can do wonders, from taking advantage of bereavement fares to getting you discounts reserved for airline employees.
- Fly by the seat of your pants. Go to a hub destination, like Frankfurt or Amsterdam, and then get cheap tickets from the backpacking district, where resellers often camp out.
- Fly free! (By sitting in the cargo hold of a pilot who might be looking for some company on overnight hauls).