What's the cheapest way to buy airline tickets?

[latebloomer]

My brother's getting married in California this summer, and I've started to research air fares-- thru Travelocity and a couple of the airline websites. The prices for various airlines all look about the same, unless it's not a non-stop, which I don't like, not being a very happy flyer .

Any ideas? I want to buy them months in advance.

Thanks!

[we can do it]

1. Check Out Some Sites Like Jet Blue, Southwest, etc.

All airlines don't show up on travelocity, etc..-however I do like to check them as well as orbitz to get an idea as to what it will cost.

[On the Road]

3. I Would Second the Southwest Air Site for Domestic Travel

Those flights are generally not carried on places like travelocity.

If Southwest or other discount carriers do not fly from your city (you don't list your origin), www.bestfares.com has a good site. For domestic flights, it's not always better than a discount carrier, but I still check it out for bargains when planning a trip.

There are more tricks for flying internationally, such as finding Hispanic bucket shops for visiting Latin America or Chinese travel agencies for visiting Asia, but for domestic flights out of Maryland Southwest is usually just as good or better.

[Ally McLesbian]

5. Southwest and Jet Blue definitely have good fares

Just be warned that Southwest is a hardcore Republican company, and can boot you off the plane for wearing an anti-W T-shirt. Jet Blue is partly owned by George Soros, and is fairly Democratic.

[Matariki]

2. i've bought tickets on priceline.com

traveled from seattle to phila round trip for as low as $150

used the 'name your price' feature which got really cheap flights but had to take the flight they give (the parameters are not too terrible - no more than 1 layover and flights leaving between 6am and midnight) Both times I got the flight I was going to book anyway. Even if you don't use this feature, the prices are low.

[latebloomer]

4. Thanks, people!

I do appreciate the advice.

[Catchawave]

6. Go to the airline websites first.....

especially from your hometown airport airline servers.

If you need a air/hotel package, I use Travelocity/Expedia/etc.
Some of the internet travel sites do have email sign ups too, sign up, especially if they ask for destination information, you'll get put on their alert list !

I used Expedia for the DC Peace Rally last Sept, it was a great deal, but the Metro had serious problems from my Crystal City hotel. With that in mind, I would have paid more, for a very convenient downtown/walking distance hotel, which would have saved me time and money, bottom line !