With hundreds of thousands of changes being made daily to airfares, both domestic and international, it's nearly impossible to keep track of the cheapest fares to any destination.  There are, however, several basic strategies which you can use when trying to track down your best deal on an airline ticket.  Travel-On has compiled some of the best suggestions to keep our client's travel budgets in line.

• Advance Purchase, Restricted, Non-refundable Fares: Tickets purchased 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which include a Saturday night stay, and are usually non-refundable, can be more than 50 percent cheaper than full fare tickets. Don't be too concerned about buying a non-refundable ticket. Dates and routing changes can often be made on most non-refundable tickets for a small penalty fee imposed by the airlines. If your plans change and you can't use the ticket at all, the face value of this ticket can usually be applied toward the purchase of a new ticket to another destination, at a later date, for the same name on the ticket. Travel-On will tell you the restrictions and penalties before you buy a non-refundable ticket.

• Be Flexible about Flight Times and Dates: Typically, you'll find the cheapest fares at "off-peak" flying times, such as Monday noon through Thursday noon. If you can arrange your trip to start and end mid-week, you'll have a better chance of finding a lower fare. When you talk with our travel agent, ask for the cheapest fare on the day you want to travel, and tell them you are flexible and can leave a day or two earlier or later if there's a better fare. Ask them what you have to do to qualify for the lowest available fare, i.e., purchase the ticket by a specific date.
  
  

• Airfare Sales: Often Referred to as "Fare Wars": Lately it seems like there is an airfare sale every week. Most of the major airlines now match sale prices when one announces a new promotion, thus the term "Fare War". If a good sale comes along and you've got a trip coming up, consider buying your ticket during the sale, even if your dates aren't firm. Your travel dates can usually be changed for a small airline imposed penalty.

• Get a Refund When Fares Go Down: If you have purchased an airline ticket, and an airfare sale comes along reducing the cost of your travel, get a refund. Just make sure you are willing to comply with whatever restrictions apply to the lower fare ticket.

• Alternative Departure and Arrival Airports: If you live close to more than one airport, check out the fares from all of the airports near you. If you are willing to drive up to an extra hour to leave from or fly into a different airport, you may be able to save several hundred dollars due to "turf wars" at highly competitive airports. Examples of alternative airports are Washington National, Dulles and BWI Airports in the East; Midway and O'Hare Airports in Chicago; and Oakland and San Francisco Airports on the West Coast.

• Discount Coupons: Lately there have been several different coupon promotions. Airlines distribute coupons that entitle the bearer to savings of $100 off or 50% off a companion ticket. They are mailed to frequent flyers, used in conjunction with credit card companies, or inserted into travel magazines.

Whether you are traveling on business or pleasure, your Travel-On agent will help you get the lowest available airfare, every time.