How To Find Deals Booking Air Travel

How do airlines determine ticket prices?

Airlines determine their ticket prices based on schedules and their inventory. So, ticket prices can vary depending on whether it's peak season, low season, or whether or not they have seats available. The best way to avoid high ticket prices is by advance purchase. You can find lower rates by booking well in advance - 21 days ahead of time, 14 days ahead of time, and even seven days.

What are "travel agents" and what are the benefits of using them?

A travel agent is an actual human who will book your travel for you. That can be a flight from LA to New York, or it could be a vacation in Australia, Bali or Mexico. One of the benefits of using a travel agent, versus doing it yourself online, is that they are going to give you expert opinions, personal service and, chances are, they might have already taken the trip that they're recommending. A travel agent may be able to tell you first-hand what to look out for, what the perks are and what to avoid on your next trip.