Snowstorm. Polar Vortex. Snowstorm. Cold snap. After one of the coldest and snowiest seasons on record, it is starting to feel like this winter may never end! Escape from the chill, and get the best deal for your budget, using these quick tips on booking Spring Break fares.
Fly during off-peak travel days
If you're traveling this spring, consider midweek flights rather than focusing your search on Friday and Sunday travel days. You can often save hundreds of dollars on fares by traveling on less popular dates. If you have to travel on the weekend, a Saturday fare will often be cheaper than the same fare on Friday or Sunday. Also be mindful of holiday weekends -- Easter Sunday is on April 20 this year, so if you're flying that week, try to depart a couple of days before or after the holiday to avoid fare increases.
Learn how to spot a deal
Research fares from your hometown to the destination to get an idea of what the average prices look like during your desired travel dates. Remember to compare multiple airlines, and don't rely only on published sales -- search websites yourself to find unadvertised low fares.
Consider alternatives
Search fares to all airports nearby your destination. Using regional airports may help you save money and there is even a chance they'll be less crowded on your travel dates. For example, if you're planning a getaway to Fort Lauderdale, search fares to Miami and West Palm Beach as well. Also, explore combining one-way flights on two airlines to create a roundtrip itinerary.
Jump on a good fare
The best fares are based on availability, so book quickly if you find one. Not only will you grab the low price before it sells out but you'll save yourself stress by getting plans in place early.
Once your travel dates are nailed down, you can plan the rest of your itinerary like hotel, car rentals and restaurant reservations. And you can shovel the driveway one more time knowing your retreat from the cold is just around the corner.
Find cheap airfare on SuperSearch, and go to Travelzoo for North American airfare deals and international discounts.
Haifa Sweeny is a deal expert at Travelzoo and is based in Denver. Travelzoo has 250 deal experts from around the world who rigorously research, evaluate and test thousands of deals to find those with true value.