Keep yourself updated on any airfare wars by watching the news and reading the newspaper. Look for limited-time promotional fares from major airlines and airline companies just starting up.

Be flexible in scheduling your flight. Late-night flights ('red-eyes'), very early morning flights and flights with at least one stop tend to be discounted as well.

 

Ask the airline if it offers travel packages to save money in other areas. For instance, is a rental car or hotel room available at a discount along with the airline ticket?

 

Find out whether the stated fare is the cheapest, and inquire about other options when speaking to the airline reservations clerk. If you're using the Internet, check more than one Web site and compare rates.

 

Inquire about standby fares if you're flying off-season. High season is a bad time to fly standby because most airlines overbook flights, making it difficult to find a spare seat.

 

Book early. You can purchase advance-ticket discounts by reserving 21 days ahead; book even earlier for holiday flights, especially on Jewish holidays and at end of the year. Keep in mind that holiday 'blackout periods' may prevent you from using frequent-flier miles.

 

Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts.

  

Secure your tickets by going to the airport, calling an airline's number and speaking to a reservationist, buying directly from an airline Web site, using an online travel agent, or working with a real-life travel agent. It appears as if the best solution will be using an online travel agent, since you can compare fares and the top sites all have toll-free numbers to call in case of difficulty.

 

E-tickets or Paper. Many airlines issue e-tickets, which are basically a confirmation code you take to the airport and use to collect reserved tickets from a kiosk or a reservationist. With a paper ticket, you run the risk of losing it and paying for a replacement. But if you must switch airlines, having a paper ticket will save you from waiting to have your e-ticket converted.

Open or Non-Refundable Tickets. The cheapest tickets you can buy have the most limitations. In most cases there is a fee to make any change, and you cannot cancel. If there is any question about the date you intend to fly, opt for a more expensive but more flexible open ticket.

 

Try to get your seat assignment the same time you buy your tickets. (If the flight's way in advance, you may not be able to -- in that case, start calling a month before takeoff.) Avoid bulkhead seats (that's where they usually put babies) and the last rows (too close to the bathroom). Just make sure you're seated together; that's the only way for lovebirds to fly.