The United States is a big country and if you want to see as much of it as possible during your holiday you probably are going to have to travel between cities and regions by air.
The problem is that in recent years the number of airlines offering flights in the US have substantially constricted to a select few. Because there are now only a handful of carriers, the remaining airlines can essentially set their airfares at whatever they please.
While that is bad news for the ordinary traveler, there are still a few remaining insider tricks you can use to guarantee you get the lowest rate so you will have more money to spend once you arrive at your destination.
Avoid America’s Busiest Airports
The busiest airports in the US are LaGuardia in New York, O’Hare in Chicago, LAX in Los Angeles, and Hartsfield in Atlanta. These also are the most expensive airports to travel in and out of because they are where the biggest airlines fly.
In practically every American city, there is a second or third airport nearby that is cheaper and often more convenient to use for your travel. For example, while Chicago is only the third biggest city, O’Hare International is one of the country’s busiest because of its location in the geographic center of the nation.
However, most travelers don’t realize that Chicago has a second airport – Midway – which is not only smaller and less busy, but usually substantially cheaper. Plus, like O’Hare it has a rail link that leads directly into the city’s center.
Similar cheaper, less busy airports can be found in other cities as well. Los Angeles is served by smaller airports in nearby Burbank and Orange County. Travelers to New York City can use Liberty International in Newark, New Jersey, which has commuter trains that lead into Manhattan.
Use Search Engines in Disguise
We all know that computers are super smart. That’s why when you use one of the most popular search engines to look up air fares you usually will be inundated with ads, emails, pop-ups and other marketing tools that try to scare you into booking your flight as quickly as possible.
This is caused by the “cookies” that track your Internet searches and use this information to market specific products – in this case airline tickets – to you aggressively.
The solution is simple: When searching for airfares and other travel deals, always use the private or incognito browsing modes. This will keep your identity a secret from marketers and advertisers so you can compare prices and find the right flights without having to worry about dealing with high pressure sales tactics and campaigns designed to scare you into buying a ticket right away.
Fly Off-Peak Days and Hours
Like any industry, airlines are driven by supply and demand. When demand is highest – such as before or after holidays, during business hours, and on weekends when people are more likely to travel – prices will always be higher.
But if you are willing to travel during the middle of the week, in the early morning or late night hours or even overnight, and avoid busy travel days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or around the Christmas holidays, you can often find fares that are a fraction of the high price airline fares you would otherwise have to pay.
Look for ‘No Frills’ Airlines
The United States doesn’t have as many economy, bare bones airlines as Europe or parts of Asia, but there are still a few that have survived the “Airfare Wars” or have been launched since the major US airlines consolidated.
Look for smaller, regional airlines that can get you to your destination – or at least close enough to it – for far less money than the big name airlines. While you may find your seat a little more cramped and may have to bring your own in-flight snacks and make your entertainment, the savings are often worth it.
Don’t Fly At All
In the US, flying is the most convenient way to get around, but it’s also the most expensive. If you aren’t traveling across the continent, you might consider a less costly mode of transportation.
While inter-city rail in the US is still expensive and inconvenient, rental cars are cheap and plentiful. And there are still enough bus lines that can get you from Point A to Point B for very little money.
America is a big country and there is plenty to see. When you travel over the road rather than flying over most of the scenery, there is more to experience. Meet the friendly, outgoing people who live in the in-between spaces to make the most of your visit.
As the Buddhist saying goes: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
Author Bio – This guest post is written by Simon Hopes in support of InsanelyCheapFlights.com. If you're looking to fly to destinations within the US, don't forget to check out JetBlue flights and save up to $20.
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