Get the Cheapest Flight ... WE FLY CHEAP!

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of pouncing on a cheap deal — and it’s particularly sweet when you get that deal on a flight. Air travel can be very expensive, as everyone knows. And if you don’t know the best way to buy a plane ticket … well, flying home for the holidays can take a nasty bite out of your wallet.

Just this morning, I successfully used my tried-and-true method for booking cheap airfare. Granted, there are many other ways of flying cheap — trying your luck with Priceline, buying a standby ticket, redeeming frequent flyer miles, becoming a courier, etc. But, if you’re like me and want to choose your flight details and be done with it, quickly and easily, try this method for yourself:

NOTE: The more flexible you are, the better results you will get.

• First, go to a discount online broker or budget travel site like CheapOAir, Cheapflights or CheapTickets
• Second, put in your ideal dates and times — if you’re flexible, select that option (both Cheapflights and CheapTickets allow this)
• Next, make a list of the cheapest offerings; take careful note of the airlines and flight times
• If you’re flexible with dates and times, try to see if there are cheaper flights on other days, either before or after your ideal choice; consider flying one-way, booking your return separately (price these options beforehand); and, remember, early morning flights are the cheapest
• If you’re flexible with airports, be sure to check your itinerary using other airport codes, too
• Lastly, once you’ve selected the itinerary you want, go directly to the airline’s site and book it. Your fare will be even cheaper than the discount site because there are no extra surcharges. The discount travel sites add their fees to rock-bottom fares, but the airlines will offer those fares directly to you, if you know about them … without hidden surcharges. It’s the deceptive truth that the budget travel sites don’t want you to know!

To sum up this strategy: use a discount broker to find the cheapest fare, then book directly through the airline.

I booked my flight home for Christmas this way and got an amazing deal (less than $130) and it took less than 10 minutes. So, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself some cheap tickets.