Getting the best price on flights

[Maxf]

This is potentially a very silly question, but I'm going to ask it regardless....

What is the best way to get the best prices on flights?

I'm likely going to be heading to the US west coast regularly (monthly, and maybe more some months) completely self funded. Unfortunately, while I don't do too badly, I'm just a fairly normal chap without an amazing budget, so this is going to take some organising/sacrifices.

I've signed up for airmiles (Virgin and BA), but these seem to take years to provide any benefit, especially with me flying economy.

So, is it just a case of waiting for flight sales and booking en mass, or will there randomly be times when flights are cheaper? Is it cheaper to book a single, then book return tickets in the US maybe? Can you still get cheaper tickets at the last minute?

I can fly indirect, which adds 3 hours and saves £100 or so, which doesn't seem worth the hassle - although over a year it might well be!

Any tips?

[Puggit]

As a general rule, flights are cheapest when they first come on sale - normally around a year before the flight (it varies by airline). The airlines start by selling the cheapest groups of seats, and as the cheaper buckets become sold out, the tickets get dearer.

However, there are frequent sales also - this will mean seats are sold cheaper than are normally available. Don't rely on the sales though - they will be very restricted dates.

Consider staying over for a Saturday night - this can greatly reduce the cost of the return trip. Returns are almost always considerably cheaper than two singles.

The benefit to taking indirect flights is you can accumulate more flight sectors and more miles faster. As you've already worked out, there is a big hassle factor and the risk of delays rises considerably. Also take in to consideration that US immigration is a royal pain in the ... and I've often heard of people missing connections because of the time take to clear immigration.

Edited by Puggit on Wednesday 15th September 15:12

[Maxf]

Thanks Puggit. It looks like making a running booking a few months ahead might be the right balance. It looks like I've got a spendy few months coming up with Thanks Giving and Christmas. Oh well, at least in 2015 I'll get a free flight or some kind of lounge access

[Simon Brooks]

Try skyscanner

[Whoozit]

also play around with Kayak, which will also helpfully regularly email you price details on your chosen route.

[Gareth79]

Re. immigration, if you will be using visa waiver be aware that repeated trips to the same destination may eventually raise their eyebrows and result in questions as to why. If your reason fits the rules then fine, otherwise be careful!

edit: On the question, I use kayak.com/co.uk and have price alerts for dates in the future, and then jump on the cheap fares. If you have it set to weekly you will spot the seat sales.

Edited by Gareth79 on Wednesday 15th September 21:55

[astonluv]

redtag.ca - amazing website for cheap flights, hotels, cars, etc.