Start out by going to the big airline shops online. Check prices on Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz. This is your starting point. You may wind up booking with one of these sites, but for now, just use them to get a baseline price.



Next, check prices at some of the smaller sites ? Cheaptickets, Farecompare, and airfare. Again, these are sites to get a rough idea on prices. You can also visit your favorite airline and see if they have any specials.

Once you have determined price, airline, and arrival time (more important than departure time), it is time to find a local travel agent or bucket shop.

Armed with the information you found online, you can now ask specifically for the flight you want and know what price your local agent has to beat. You can bargain with them ? and let them know what the online prices are (if they are lower).

Plan far enough ahead and if you find a great deal, reserve it and tell your travel agent to call if the price drops. Prices can vary by the day or even the hour. Be persistent.

Here are some more tips to help you save money.

Be very flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week or particular hours of the day. After you get a fare quote, ask the reservations agent if you could save even more by leaving a day earlier or later, or by taking a different flight on the same day. Check other agents ? not all agents have access to all airlines.

Be smart - plan as far ahead as you can. Some airlines set aside only a few seats on each flight at the lower rates. The real bargains often sell out very quickly. On the other hand, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available later. If you had decided against a trip because the discount fare you wanted was not available on the desired date, try again, especially just before the advance-purchase deadline.

Some airlines may have discounts that others don't offer. In a large metropolitan area, the fare could depend on which airport you use. Also, a connection (change of planes) or a one-stop flight is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop.

Does the air fare include types of service that airlines have traditionally provided, such as meals or free baggage handling? If you have a connection involving two airlines, will your bags be transferred? Can you get advance seat assignments? If you are stranded, will the ticket be good on another carrier at no extra charge? Will the first airline pay for meals or hotel rooms during the wait?

Keep in mind that many discount fares are non-refundable; if you buy one of these fares and later cancel your trip, you will not get your money back. Some fares also have a penalty for changing flights or dates even if you don't want a refund. You may also have to pay any difference in air fares if your fare is not available on the new flight.

Some airlines will not increase the fare after the ticket is issued and paid for. (Simply holding a reservation without a ticket does not guarantee the fare.) Other airlines may reserve the right to collect more money from you if the fare that you had purchased goes up before departure time. Find out from the airline before you buy your ticket what its policy is on assessing fare increases after the ticket is purchased.

After you buy your ticket, call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to check the fare. Fares change all the time, and if that same fare goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference. But you have to ask. Try to establish a rapport with the agent ? this will pay off for future flights.

Differences in air fares can be substantial. Careful comparison shopping among airlines does take time, but it can lead to real savings. Be patient, start early, do your homework, and save money.