Top Ten Tips

To get the best deal the important things to condsider are when you fly, where you plan to go and how far in advance you book. Use these tried and tested ways of getting some of the best deals around.

1. Book early. The further in advance you book your airfare the better off you are. This is especially true with low budget airlines whose prices increase closer to the flight date.
2. Avoid popular destinations in peak summer months.
3. Try to fly mid-week and at unsociable times of day when airlines have the most trouble filling their seats.
4. Compare, compare and then compare some more. Use meta search engines like Kayak who trawl through hundreds of websites to find you the best deal.
5. Don't mind where you go? Try last minute deals, you will usually find a bargain if you are flexible on times, dates and destinations.
6. Avoid holiday periods such as the run up to Christmas when flights are in demand.
7. Research your destination. Flights will be more expensive if there are public holidays, January 21st may not mean much in western countries, but try flying to Dubai when everything has shut down for Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), which can last up to ten days.
8. Avoid school holidays when the kids are off. Not only will you have to pay more, you may also end up on a flight surrounded by a gaggle of hyperactive children kicking your seat and vomiting at the slightest hint of turbulence.
9. Check out the latest deals on airline's websites as they may have special offers on. Also try the low budget airlines that agents don't search.
10. Go standby - be aware this option is only for those who don't mind waiting for extended periods of time on clamshell plastic chairs. 

Cheap Flights and Discounts

If you are a full-time student or under 26 there is a huge selection of discounted airfares to choose from. The Student Air Travel Association (SATA) have put in the hard work for you and negotiated cheap tickets between air carriers and SATA member travel agencies. You will however, need a student or youth card to be eligible for these tickets.

Airlines are also offering senior discounts usually around 10%. You may find however, that discounted senior fares are not the lowest fares the airlines are offering. There are advantages though as senior fares may not be as restrictive, can be used for last-minute travel and are refundable if you need to cancel your flight.

Travelling with kids?

Going on vacation with your little bundles of joy might seem daunting but here are a few tips to make it a little easier. Research the airline and their policies about flying with children. What you find (or don't find) will tell you a lot about how helpful they will be when you fly. Virgin have a mini-backpack full of freebies and Air France give children an activity pack to keep them entertained. Ask about children's play areas at the airport and you may also spot fast-track lanes at customs and immigration for those travelling with children. Find out about child discounts, on international flights children from 2 to 11 usually receive 20 to 40% off.  

Did you know...

If you aren't going anywhere in a hurry volunteer to get "bumped" from an overbooked flight. You usually get a free flight to use within a year and some spending money for your trouble (its also good to ask about meal vouchers if you're going to be there for a while).

Check out Seatguru.com for specific seat maps so you can work out where the best (and worst) places are for leg room, reclining and that all important view of the TV screen. Airlines such as BA are also allowing customers to print off their own boarding passes and choose their seats online, so sit back, stretch out your legs and enjoy the in-flight entertainment! A word to the wise however, if the airline allocate that seat to someone else at check-in it takes precedence so you could be asked to move.

For those flying within the United States check out Farecast.com an airfare prediction website advising you to buy now or wait until later. The website is still being tested, but watch out as it's going to be the next big thing when researching flights