There are a wide range of different approaches to finding the best flight prices. Searching online for the best discounted flights may sound easy, but there are specific steps you can take to improve your chances of finding the best possible deal.

With the massive selection of deals made available every day, how do you sort through the good and the bad deals?  Here are our four steps to finding cheaper flights and better holidays deals online.

#1.  Planning is crucial.

If you are going to go on holiday, it is a good idea to plan ahead and get your bookings done as soon as you can confirm your dates.  More often than not the very best deals are not at the time we want to travel, so getting all this information as soon as you can, will make your search that much better.

Once you know what dates you want to holiday, see if there are any special events taking place around that time as this could influence the price of your tickets.

#2. Try comparison sites, but don’t forget to go Direct.

Although the online prices on comparison sites can be very competitive, they will not feature the in-house specials that you may find on the airline websites.  Also check for deals that have specific dates of travel as these could fall on your dates and you could score a quick trip for next to nothing.

If you are travelling alone, then you won’t be able to ask for a group discount, but even parties of six or more could benefit from this.  Very often – If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

#3. When you have a short list, check the details

Once you have a list of flight prices that look like they will be acceptable, you want to check the small print.  Some budget airlines will charge you for every little thing extra including having your ticket printed, so make sure that your cheapest option doesn’t turn into a slot machine.

#4.  Check for bargains in the Flight Schedule.

You have your airline choices, now check if there are cheaper flights at other times of the day.  Often you can find a much cheaper flight by travelling at strange hours.  Sometimes a two hour wait in a comfortable airport lounge is worth the couple hundred dollars it could save you.