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Travelling on the cheap is easier then ever nowadays. Whereas the travel industry used to rely solely on travel agencies, the internet has now made it possible for everyday people to find great deals without paying exorbitant commissions. By simply using the internet to book your trip, you can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars with just a little bit of research. Here are five tips to help you get the cheapest flights possible:

FLEXIBLE DATES: No matter what your desired day of departure is, finding cheap airline flights is all about being flexible. No matter which search engine you use, always click on the tab that says "Flexible Dates" to see the absolute lowest prices for that website. Unless your flight is less then two weeks away, your dates will be available through the flexible-dates option and can save you hundreds compared to selecting specific set dates.
LAST MINUTE DEALS: If you find you desperately need to fly within the next fourteen days, searching for last minute deals can be a huge money saver. Not only will you find cheap flights, your car and/or hotel could be included within the one low rate. Even if you do not need a hotel or car, you can still book the reservation, save as much as $1,000, and simply leave the car and hotel room unclaimed. (Check out Travelocity for a great Last Minute Deal search engine.)
RYAN AIR: For cheap international flights, Ryan Air is a must-have contact in your travel database. This company is based out of the UK, which means you can get both a cheap UK flight and cheap flights to Europe for far less then you would spend on a train or bus. In fact, Ryan Air often sells their plane tickets for pennies plus airport fees. This means your cheap flight could be as little as $15 USD.
AIRLINE HOMEPAGES: When you find a great deal at a booking website like Priceline.com, be sure to go to the suggested airlines homepages before booking. Not only can you sometimes find the same deal at the airlines homepage, but they often have booking specials such as free hotel or car included with your flight. It's a great way to save money and get something for free.
EMAIL ALERTS: One last great place to find a cheap flight is to sign up for email alerts with your favorite airline companies and travel search engines. That way, whenever a flight goes on sale, you will be the first to know. It only takes about ten seconds to review the emails, and the cities of interest are often detailed in the subject line.
Now that you have a few ideas, get busy. Start signing up for those emails today and your next cheap flight could be as much as 80% off the original price.

Learn more about this author, Erica T. Barton.
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