How do I get the lowest airfare possible?

I'm planning on traveling from Atlanta to Los Angeles from July 30 to August 3. I've been checking airfare, and it's too expensive. Are there any tips for getting the lowest airfare possible? (I've been checking the airlines' websites--I'm unfamiliar with Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.) Should I wait until the last minute to book it, go through a travel agent, etc.? Any advice is appreciated!

$284* on Northwest

Routing

Atlanta to Los Angeles.

Cabin

This fare is valid for ECONOMY CLASS travel.

Travel Dates

Now through October 30, 2008.

Advance Purchase Requirement

7 day(s).

======================================...

Please check:

Tips:

a- use flexible dates

b- use alternative airports

http://www.cheapair.com/

http://farecast.com/

http://www.farecompare.com/

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/

http://www.kayak.com/

hi, If you are unfamiliar with portals or not sure about booking, there is anyother easier way to book, visit http://www.moneybulls.com/travels.htm where you only need to input your travel destination and dates, and click search. it will find the the lowest of all travel portals, websites, and airlines rates available for your dates, once you see the lowest fare available, you need to click on that fare and it will take you to that airline website or agency to book, then you need to make ur reservatio nonline and u are done. this process will only take 10-15 min in all . best part is, it will help you search, compare and book directly without commission.

www.farecompare.com, try to book ur flight as EARLY as possible, example if you have to leave in 2 months try to book exactly two months or more from now... hope that makes sense but farecompare.com is cheap.

They use major travel websites but somehow get under the main stream and get you the flight for cheaper

with fuel prices deals are not what they use to be,but travel between Mon -wed for best deals...and no book early as you can,i think 21 days in advance is a discount.

Hello,

I am a travel agent http://www.cassandralanetravel.org

priceline.com is the cheapest that I've seen by about $200.

www.bookingbuddy.com

Kayak.com usually weekdays...tuesday or wednesday after midnight but before 6am

check http://asianairfares.com

If you can't use the on line travel agencies then what do you want anyone on here to tell you? If you are unfamiliar with Travelocity or Orbitz or whatever... then you need to GET familiar with them because it can take 4 or 5 HOURS to get the absolute lowest air fare these days and that is a LOT OF WORK to ask a stranger to do for you.

As a practical matter, there is NO SUCH THING as a cheap flight any longer... With 7 airlines that have gone bankrupt this year, 20,000 airline employees that have been fired or laid off, an entire fleet of 737's that has been grounded and surcharges through the roof... there is NO SUCH THING as a cheap flight.

I looked at http://www.sidestep.com/s/flights.jsp?searchid=zr5TNQM4F63_TKy$plMTeA&completed=true

and the cheapes flight ticket on there is $415 thorugh Spirit Airlines.

Airtran has a big hub in Atlanta, and I found really cheap fares for our vacation this year through this airline. But for your trip, it unfortunately looks like it would be over $400 round trip each.

http://airtran.com/Home.aspx

See, a lot of times you should book at least 30 days in advance because the prices jump up within that 30 days. Since we are in the month of July, the flights are more expensive everywhere.

If you could drive the 2 hours to get to the airport in Birmingham, AL, Southwest has flights around $372 total for July 30- August 4.

http://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/lowFareFinder?ss=0&disc=0:11:1215114136.955369:141@EF42566A7FD2522AE7E9C1FCC5BB634E5AC4688D

If there is any way you can wait until at least the 12th of August, the rates drop down to between $128 and $159 each way. And in September, most of them become $128 each way.

I'm sorry I couldn't help you more.

Travel Agents will find the same deals, so they wouldn't really be able to hep you much I wouldn't think, and if you wait until the last minute, the prices could go way up, or the seats could sell out.