Komputer Klinic: Web can help shave holiday travel costs

Many of us won’t be traveling on vacation anytime soon. After all, tough times call for tough measures. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend the holidays with your family. Start planning now, and you can save a bundle.

The Web makes it easy for anyone to plan and book travel. It also makes it easy for you to reduce travel costs. Here are some handy tips for getting the best deal. You’ll find links to sites mentioned at komando.com/news.

START EARLY

Flight rates fluctuate with demand. The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times. So book your flights well in advance. Last-minute deals will be scarce or nonexistent.

Book three weeks in advance, minimum. Fares will increase after that. You may not get seats on a chosen flight.

The day you book flights also matters. This is less true than with last-minute flights. But Tuesday evening through Wednesday is best for advance purchases.

BE FLEXIBLE

A little flexibility in your plans can save you big bucks. You want to fly off-peak. For example, the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are peak times. Instead consider flying Tuesday and Saturday. Early-morning or late-night flights are also often cheaper.

Consider changing the departing and arriving airports. You’ll need to arrange for ground transportation. But your savings will probably outweigh the cost of ground transportation.

There are many variables here. Fortunately, most travel sites do the work for you. Look for an option that lets you compare prices at nearby airports and dates.

COMPARISON SHOP

As with any purchase, comparison shopping is important. No site lists all airfares. That doesn’t mean you must check each airline individually.

Start with aggregator sites like Kayak and Yahoo! Travel. These scan many major airlines and even sites like Orbitz.

Each aggregator site searches different airlines. So visit several before buying tickets. And remember, Southwest flights are only available online at its Web site.

When you find a deal, check the airline’s site directly. The airline may have a special available only on its site. For a list of all airlines’ Web-only deals, visit Airfare Watchdog.

JUMP ON A DEAL

If you see a good price on a ticket, book it fast. Prices will probably only go up with demand.

How do you know if you’re getting a good deal? Check the historical prices of tickets on FareCompare. You’ll know whether to keep shopping.

Farecast also uses historical data. It makes predictions about whether a fare will rise or fall.

Keep in mind that airfares have increased in the past year. Prices will be higher in general.

KEEP WATCHING PRICES

It is unlikely, but flight prices could decrease after you book tickets. So keep an eye on price drops.

Some sites like Orbitz offer price guarantees. If a fare drops, you get a refund. Make sure you research these guarantees. Some sites offer automatic refunds. Others do not. Coverage may differ, too.

You should also track your flight on Yapta. It tracks prices after you buy. It also helps you get a refund from the airline.