American Airlines Vacation

Searching for Airfares Doesn't Have to Be a Gamble

FILE - In this file photo taken Oct. 11, 2010, Aan American Airlines airplane takes off at Miami International Airport in Miami. Searching for airfares often seems like a game passengers are set up to lose. Prices change from day to day, even minute to minute. Scouring multiple websites for the best deal can be overwhelming. And after you book, there's no guarantee that you got the best price.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Searching for airfares often seems like a game passengers are set up to lose.

Prices change from day to day, even minute to minute. Scouring multiple websites for the best deal can be overwhelming. And after you book, there's no guarantee that you got the best price.

"You just don't know when to pull the trigger. It's not like buying anything else I can think of," said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com.

Harriet Levy paid $179 for a recent round-trip flight on American Airlines between New York and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Sitting just one row behind her, Shirley Harrison paid $215. A few rows back, Ellis and Dianne Traub paid $317 each. There were at least 12 fares on the flight, ranging from $169 to $360.

"There's no rhyme or reason to it," Harrison said.

Fares can fluctuate significantly in just a few hours. One Delta flight from New York to Los Angeles jumped from $755 to $1,143 from a Friday to Saturday in late April, then fell to $718 on Sunday.

The flight was one of a dozen The Associated Press tracked over three months for a July 16-22 vacation. The No. 1 finding: Avoid booking tickets on weekends. It's the most expensive time to buy.

There's no way to guarantee the best fare. But before booking, travelers should heed this additional advice:

— Book on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That's when airlines most often offer sales.

— Buy in advance, but not too early. The best time is four to six weeks before traveling. In general, prices for any given flight are highest eight to 10 weeks and two to three weeks in advance.

— Embrace social media. Airlines are giving more benefits, like exclusive sales, to travelers who interact with them on Twitter and Facebook . Those specials are often gone within hours.

— The so-called discount airlines — JetBlue, AirTran, Southwest and Frontier — adjust their fares less frequently than other airlines, so you can feel more confident locking in a price. But their prices aren't always the lowest. Researching multiple airlines' fares is the only way to get a good deal.

American Airlines Vacations - Mexico All Inclusive Resort Event

During the Mexico All Inclusive Resort Event from American Airlines Vacations, you'll be able to find amazing deals at indulgent properties in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos! Choose from 3-, 4- and 5-star resorts where everything is included so you can truly relax. Eat, drink and play to your heart's content, all without leaving your resort and all without a surprise bill when you check out. At rates this amazing, you can plan a longer stay or opt for a more luxurious property. Either way, you're just a few clicks away from your toes in the sand and a cool drink in your hand!

Sample of Great All Inclusive Prices For prices that include airfare: taxes, fees and restrictions apply. Fares are for round-trip off-peak Economy Class travel and are in U.S. dollars. Fares do not include (i) a Federal excise tax of $3.70 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing of a passenger's itinerary, (ii) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges, and (iii) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. For international and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands travel, government-imposed charges of up to $190 may apply, depending on itinerary. For vacation packages that include domestic flights (within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) in Economy Class, a checked baggage charge of $25 each way for the first checked bag and $35 each way for the second checked bag may apply. For vacation packages that include international flights in Economy Class for travel to or from the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and destinations in Mexico, Europe and India, a checked baggage charge up to $50 may apply for the second checked bag.

Privilege Aluxes – Isla Mujeres – All Inclusive The flight + hotel package price quoted is calculated as an average per person, based on double occupancy, for a four-night consecutive stay at the Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres All Inclusive between August 22-26, 2011, in a Double with Balcony room category and includes round-trip, Economy Class (O*) airfare from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Cancun (CUN). Other dates are available and prices on other dates may vary. Availability at advertised rates is limited. All offers and prices quoted are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Other significant restrictions apply.

The flight + hotel package price quoted is calculated as an average per person, based on double occupancy, for a four-night consecutive stay at the Riu Palace Las Americas All Inclusive between August 22-26, 2011, in a Junior Suite room category and includes round-trip, Economy Class (O*) airfare from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Cancun (CUN). Other dates are available and prices on other dates may vary. Availability at advertised rates is limited. All offers and prices quoted are subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Other significant restrictions apply.

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