When people think of the money they are going to spend as they head out to a vacation, normally they view their airline tickets as the greatest cost. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a few key insider tips you should be aware of so to help save money the next time you purchase airline tickets.

The best way to save money on tickets is to do a little planning and research via the Internet. You should first be aware that the earlier on the calendar you purchase your tickets, the more money you almost invariably save. Buying a ticket within the 14 days prior to your trip is pretty much guaranteed to cost you a ton of money. So, plan quickly once you know you are going to go on vacation and have locked in specific dates.

If you do not intend to book reservations through a travel agency, then you should check each airline individually that flies out of your city. That way, not only can you compare prices, but you can also do the same with dates and times. Simply changing from one day to the next or the day before can literally save hundreds of dollars. So, as you are looking, try to be at least a little flexible with your flight dates.

When you do travel by plane, sign up for frequent flier miles. Even if you do not fly very often, the mileage adds up, and eventually you will earn a free - or at least a discounted - ticket. Another money saving tip is to ask whether the airline offers student or senior citizen discounts, depending on your age and those of family members.

Since normally the busiest day of the week to fly is on a Monday, look at promotions that depart on other days such as Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, which are usually the least expensive. You may see promos on television that will alert you to this as well, so keep an eye out if you plan to make reservations in the near future.

Flying at off peak hours is also a great way to save money. The flights early in the morning around 8:00 am are always booked up so people can get a jump on their day. However, if you can fly even earlier - like around 6:00 am - you can typically decrease the price of your flight by a sizable amount. People simply don’t want to get to the airport that early, so airlines offer discounts for early takeoffs to entice you in.

Overnight flights are also less expensive. These are called “red eye” flights and are considerably less money than those at other times in the earlier part of the evening. Plus you gain the benefit of flying with less people. If you are one of those who is able to sleep during a flight, all the better!

Additionally, you will frequently gain a savings by booking a flight that has one or two stops along the way. Try, though, to limit these to relatively brief layovers, especially if you are traveling with others. You don’t want to sour your vacation with too much time stuck at an airport.

Finally, it is important not to book the first open flight you see. It pays to do the research and look at each airline and their flight times to and from your destination. If you are serious about saving money, then by following these tips you will be able to do so.

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