After months of hard work, you will feel the urge to take the week off and plan a trip to one of today’s most popular tourist destinations. Whether you want to witness the beauty of the Caribbean beaches or you secretly wish to hit the jackpot at the biggest gambling cities, you will need all the help you could get when buying cheap plane tickets. Here are a few tips that will lead you to a great deal that you would not want to miss.

Know when to buy tickets

During peak travel seasons, making late reservations will certainly cost you lots of money. Today, the cost of airline tickets increases three to 21 days before flying, so you have to plan ahead and make an early reservation. Booking at least three months in advance is a wise move if you are planning to travel internationally. If ever the fares go down after you have bought a ticket, you can also ask for a refund as long as the airline’s policies allow it.

However, there are also times when buying tickets a few days before your trip can work to your advantage. Airlines usually offer tickets at lower prices because they were not able to fill their airplanes. Most of them also offer newsletters that showcase a wide range of last-minute deals. If you do not mind making a few changes to your itinerary, these great money-savers will take you to the most attractive destinations you can imagine.

Shop around and be flexible

No matter how good a travel deal sounds, you should never book the first flight you see. Shop around and compare the tickets offered by major airlines and travel providers. Most of these companies have websites that will give you a clearer picture of which airlines can get you to your destination, how much their fares cost, and what policies they have in place. You may also want to check out ebookers’ cheap tickets to Europe, Hawaii and the rest of the world.

To get the best prices on airline tickets, you should also remain flexible in terms of your itinerary. Check out all the airports near your location and find out how much their tickets cost. Do not be afraid to experiment with various travel dates.

Putting off your trip for a few days can actually make a big difference in the cost of airfare. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, are Saturdays are the time to look for the best deals on airline tickets.

Take advantage of frequent flier miles

Another tried and tested way to find cheap airfare is to use your frequent flier miles. While it may seem hard to redeem miles, they can help you save big especially if you are planning to book early. Most airlines only designate limited numbers of seats for those who have frequent flier miles, so these seats often go quickly. You should also look for airlines that offer promotional campaigns to your destination.

These simple tips are all you need to beat the high cost of airfare. With a little patience, flexibility and foresight, you can finally reach your favorite tourist destinations without going over your budget.