Top Five Cheap Airfare Web Sites

Across the internet, there are hundreds of websites offering discount airfares. After using these sites over the last five years for both personal and business travel, I've come to discover my favorite top 5 websites for the best of cheap airfares:

1. www.fly.com Brought to you by TravelZoo™, this simplified airfares only website provides a search engine capable of providing airfares from several dozen airlines. Your fares are provided in a simplified single list format with purchase links to their related airline or travel website. You may select your ticket based on a variety of options such as airline, departure or arrival time, or prices.

2. www.expedia.com Expedia™ is one of the largest travel search engine websites on the internet. As Expedia™ will often purchase blocks of tickets from the major airlines, you may find the exact same ticket priced 20% to 40% cheaper than what is listed directly on the airlines website. Occasionally, I have found cheaper fares when booked with a hotel.

3. www.priceline.com Priceline™ is best known for their more than famous spokesman, but if you have complete flexibility in your schedule, this website can be a great option. You can either search for the current priced ticket or bid your own price. I have found when bidding that airlines often will not go much more than 10% to 15% their lowest published fare and tickets must be purchased immediately.

4. www.travelocity.com Have a timeline in mind? Travelocity's™ flexible dates fare search option will show you future fares for select US and international markets. This will give you an idea of the best fares possible. From these ticket prices you can often determine the best time of year to visit a particular location.

5. www.airfarewatchdog.com As part of the Smarter Travel Media Network, LLC, this website offers a unique approach to finding airfares based on the city you are leaving from or going to. After entering this information, the site will provide you with the lowest fares to or from your city of choice for both domestic and international routes. It will also provide information on advance purchase, airline, days of the week for travel, and seat availability.

As with any travel plans, to get the best fare is it always recommended that you book as far in advance as possible. In addition, once you have found your ticket price and routing, it's always a good idea to check the airline website directly for any additional discounts or frequent traveler discounts. With all this information you are now set to be a savvy traveler!