If you are booking an international plane ticket, you should book as far in advance as possible, especially if your destination is smaller or only has one nearby airport. [3] X Research source If you are flying to a popular destination during a popular time, such as Florida during Spring Break, you should book as far in advance as possible. Because this flight is popular, it is unlikely that the fare will be lowered. [4] X Research source

Airlines sometimes share sales with their customers through their websites or newsletters. You can subscribe to the newsletters of your top airlines or visit their sites to search for deals. Did you know wikiHow offers coupons and discounts for a variety of travel websites? Save time and money by checking out our coupon site for: Travelocity Expedia Travel Tripadvisor Hotels. com Hotwire Booking. com

Many aggregator sites will allow you to enter multiple destinations and search flights on multiple dates. This will help you find the best deal if your trip is flexible. If you have time, check a few aggregator websites. Some sites may advertise different prices so it’s good to check around and ensure you’re getting the best deal. [6] X Research source

You may be able to find a cheaper flight if you’re comfortable adding an extra stopover. However, it’s important to take into account if the length and time of the stopover is worth the money you will save.

If your airline does not allow you to select your seat at the time of booking, you may be able to do it when you check in. If you have a specific seat preference or need to sit with your travel companions, for example if you’re traveling with a child, call your airline to see how you can make arrangements ahead of time.

Before choosing an add-on like a hotel stay or car rental, you should do some research online and ensure your airline is offering you a good deal. Usually, you can get airline tickets for a lower rate if you stay at the destination on a Saturday night. [8] X Expert Source Greg GuiterasTravel Specialist Expert Interview. 18 September 2020. Business travelers are charged the most because they cannot stay a Saturday night. [9] X Expert Source Greg GuiterasTravel Specialist Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.

Other special accommodations may include traveling with service animals, medical concerns and dietary restrictions.

You might be covered by insurance through your work, healthcare or credit card. It’s a good idea to look into these options and compare costs if you want to add insurance coverage for your trip.

Save the email copy of the receipt in a safe folder. It would be a good idea to print out a hard copy as well.

For example, if you want to visit the Caribbean, there are over 28 island nations and 7000 individual islands to choose from. If your destination is fixed, you may still be able to research secondary airports. For example, if you are visiting your relatives in San Francisco, you could also look at flying into the nearby Oakland Airport. [10] X Research source

If your dates are not flexible or if your trip is coming up very soon, it’s best to book as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are flying during a popular period, like Thanksgiving. [12] X Research source

For the most up to date information, visit your country’s travel advisory such as www. travel. gc. ca for Canadians or www. travel. state. gov for Americans.

For example, you may need to know all of the travelers’ birthdates and passport numbers.

Take bad reviews with a grain of salt. Some people will post bad reviews simply because they did not get their way with something going against company policy. Pay attention to how many good and bad reviews an agent got. If they had a lot of bad reviews recently, it would be best to avoid them.

Have all of your questions ready ahead of time, preferably on a printed sheet of paper. This will ensure that you don’t forget to ask any.

Tell them your seating preference, such as aisle or window. Let them know if you need special accommodations, like a wheelchair. Mention if you’re interested in purchasing add-ons, like hotel stays and car rentals. If you need to purchase insurance, be sure to tell them this as well.

Have all of your information on hand and ready before you book your ticket. This will make the booking process more efficient.