Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com - is a world-class air travel expert.
FareCompare.com presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software that searches out fares and destinations at a billion combinations per query - while keeping track of 500 airlines serving more than 270,000 markets around the globe.
And all of Rick's data is updated continuously - in real-time.
No wonder he's the media's go-to guy for all things air travel. He's got the answers. And he loves to share his knowledge.
That's why Rick and the team created FareCompare.com - to help everyone become an air travel expert, and get the best deals first -- every time they fly.
If not, take a look at the video below. The report focuses on Memorial Day travel, but check it out because it also tells you a lot about what to expect for summer airline ticket prices. Yours truly notes note that summer airfare has already risen from $30 to $60 on average from the summer of 2010.
Maybe a destination you’d normally never consider, but what if you see a super good deal – what then?
That was the topic of my weekly column for ABCNews.com yesterday – called, “To Fly or Not to Fly” and I’ve got lots of advice on the subject.
I also talked about the issue of cheap flights vs. security on Good Morning Texas today, plus I examined some specific airfare deals and pronounced them “good deals” or “bad deals”. It was fun – take a look:
I appeared on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas today and gave them some analysis of current oil prices, and what it means for airfare (hint: see my previous posts about recent airfare hikes).
Want to find cheap airfare? Of course you do – you wouldn’t be visiting FareCompare otherwise, because that’s what we do.
Earlier today I appeared in a Good Morning America report on airlines and fees; if you didn’t catch it, take a look at the video below..
Then, be sure and take a look at the Five Things Airfare Shoppers Need to Know, just after the video.
Five Things Airfare Shoppers Need to Know to Find Cheap Flights
Follow these tips – or as many of them as you can – and you will save money. Quite a bit, in some cases.
1. Shop for Airline Tickets on Tuesday at 3pm Eastern
I’ve been watching this rule play out for the past several years, and I know it works – because no airline wants to offer fares even a dollar more than its rivals. See for yourself:
Normally, an airline (or two or three) will launch an airfare sale Monday evening
Other airlines then begin matching the new lower prices
This matching is typically finished by 3pm Eastern Tuesday
2. Be Flexible – Travel Days
Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: These are almost always the cheapest days to fly. Avoid travel on Fridays and Sundays, usually the most expensive days to fly.
3. Be Flexible – Time of Day You Fly
These are usually the cheapest times to fly:
Fly at dawn, lunch time, the dinner hour, as well as the later evening hours
Catch an overnight red-eye flight
Fly when most people don’t want to fly, and you will save.
4. Fly in-and-out of Major Airports
Larger airports, especially airline hubs, have cheaper airfare prices. Not always, but usually. Here’s an easy way to find the best prices:
I appeared on the WFAA program Good Morning Texas today, part of a regular segment called “Rick’s Seaney’s Travel Advice” and as usual I had a lot to say and plenty of tips to dispense.
Take a look at the travel advice video for yourself; I start off by talking about the American Airlines dispute with Orbitz and Expedia, and wind up with some advice for anyone interested in Spring Break travel.
And please see my three important tips for purchasing Spring Break airfare, just below the video. As always, I want you to get the best deals – and if you have any other tips – share them on Facebook.
Spring Break Travel Tips
Start shopping now, by looking at ticket prices on FareCompare
Did you catch my appearance on ABC’s Nightline last night?
I provided the analysis for Ryan Owens’ report, “Breakin’ the Bank to Fly” (also featured: Steven Slater, the one-time angry, fed-up flight attendant).
As I noted, in general airline fees target “unloyal” families of four (non-miles program members), but see for yourself in this very entertaining video – then check out my tips to avoid airline fees, below:
However, you can still avoid the worst of the fees by following these simple tips:
Five Ways to Avoid Airline Fees for Cheaper Flights
1. Check a Bag: Use a carryon and avoid the roundtrip bag fees of up to $50 per bag
2. Fly a Free Bag Airline: Both JetBlue and Southwest will give you free checked-bags and the FareCompare Domestic Airline Fee Chart will show you what others charge
3. Don’t Book until Trip Dates are Firm: This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many try to change flight dates after purchase only to learn about the $150 “change fee”
4. Bring Your Own Food and Entertainment: There are no more free meals in coach, plus a lot of airlines charge for snacks and WiFi; brown bag it, and don’t forget your book (or Kindle or iPad)
5. Fly Nonstops: If you’re stuck in a middle seat because you didn’t pay the “seat selection” fee, it’s a lot easier to endure cramped conditions on one flight instead of two
