How to find cheapest airfare?

[Irongrip400]

Which site has the cheapest tickets, when is the best time to buy (i.e. how far out, what day etc.) and any deals that are to be had.  I swear, anytime I look for a first class ticket to London it is north of $6k but when I had my travel agent book for me before she got them for $2,300 each.  I know the response here is, "then why not let her book the tickets" but at his point I don't need help on the whole trip and would cut her out of the deal on a place I have already been.  Unless, they get better deals or something.  Palumboism, or any of you other world travelers, got any hints?  Thanks.

[Dave D]

https://matrix.itasoftware.com

[oldtimer1]

I know on getbig we all fly first class but why waste the money?  Fly the cheapest way possible. If you want to good meal find a restaurant when you land.

[Irongrip400]

I know on getbig we all fly first class but why waste the money?  Fly the cheapest way possible. If you want to good meal find a restaurant when you land.

There's those of us who accept no substitute. Seriously, it's like sex without a condom, how do you ever go back to wearing one?

I'm taller than average, 6'3-6'4 depending on what time of day, and have back problems. I don't care for flying much anyways and want to be as comfortable as possible while doing it. I've paid more for plane tickets than my trip on a few occasions to do so.

[Zillotch]

I'm taller than average, 6'3-6'4 depending on what time of day, and have back problems.

would u give up 5 inches of height in exchange 4 a healthy spine?

[Irongrip400]

would u give up 5 inches of height in exchange 4 a healthy spine?

It depends what day you ask me. Today? No.  There's times I actually want to be just 1" taller because 2" would start to border on that "too tall" look. Now I look normal and all, but I think people of my height weren't made for heavy weight lifting. I actually am cringing while writing this, thinking about how I used to stiff leg deadlift 455 for sets of 8-10. It was weird, it was probably my strongest lift. When I was 22-23 I could pull that, squat 505 for a double and bench 410. I now look back and think, why?

Anyways, because of that, and a bit of snobbery, I refuse to fly coach. Nothing like flying international overnight on a lay flat bed, and then throw in the food and drinks, there's no going back.

[dr.chimps]

It depends what day you ask me. Today? No.  There's times I actually want to be just 1" taller because 2" would start to border on that "too tall" look. Now I look normal and all, but I think people of my height weren't made for heavy weight lifting. I actually am cringing while writing this, thinking about how I used to stiff leg deadlift 455 for sets of 8-10. It was weird, it was probably my strongest lift. When I was 22-23 I could pull that, squat 505 for a double and bench 410. I now look back and think, why?

Anyways, because of that, and a bit of snobbery, I refuse to fly coach. Nothing like flying international overnight on a lay flat bed, and then throw in the food and drinks, there's no going back.

What a farking whiner. Explains everything. 

[Irongrip400]

What a farking whiner. Explains everything. 

Go away.

[LurkerNoMore]

If all you can find if tickets for 6K, you should give up with those internet skills.

[HTexan]

Which site has the cheapest tickets, when is the best time to buy (i.e. how far out, what day etc.) and any deals that are to be had.  I swear, anytime I look for a first class ticket to London it is north of $6k but when I had my travel agent book for me before she got them for $2,300 each.  I know the response here is, "then why not let her book the tickets" but at his point I don't need help on the whole trip and would cut her out of the deal on a place I have already been.  Unless, they get better deals or something.  Palumboism, or any of you other world travelers, got any hints?  Thanks.

Best time is 2-3 months in advance. If your going to spend that much on tickets, make sure you get an airline credit card if you don’t already have one. Points really add up.
If you don’t mind being a little shady and pissing off the airline, you could try skiplagged.com
I never try them, though because I hear it can affect your points.

[HTexan]

would u give up 5 inches of height in exchange 4 a healthy spine?

Back went I was having back problems (surgery, stem cells, and decompression therapy fix it) I would have given away some height to fix it. Shit is painful as fuck, and I hate taking pain pills.

[seCrawler]

[Al Doggity]

Which site has the cheapest tickets, when is the best time to buy (i.e. how far out, what day etc.) and any deals that are to be had.  I swear, anytime I look for a first class ticket to London it is north of $6k but when I had my travel agent book for me before she got them for $2,300 each.  I know the response here is, "then why not let her book the tickets" but at his point I don't need help on the whole trip and would cut her out of the deal on a place I have already been.  Unless, they get better deals or something.  Palumboism, or any of you other world travelers, got any hints?  Thanks.

Most travel agents get tickets through airfare consolidators that buy in bulk. A few years back, I worked for an ad agency that had a lot of Asian business and we handled an airline that operated in Japan and Korea. One of the perks of that account was that we could purchase non-business related tickets from one of the consolidators that handled their inventory at no mark-up. The consolidator had contracts with other airlines, so we got some really excellent airfares during that period.  Apparently, it was cheaper to buy through a consolidator because the airline fares are set by an algorithm. The one major downside was that those discount flights didn't count towards rewards, but the prices were so low that it didn't really matter.

There are places that call themselves consolidators online and you can get a good deal, but the prices are not quite the same as a true consolidator. However, I think you can definitely do better than $6k.

[Lustral]

Skyscanner. Can give you some fucked up rerouting though.

[Irongrip400]

Most travel agents get tickets through airfare consolidators that buy in bulk. A few years back, I worked for an ad agency that had a lot of Asian business and we handled an airline that operated in Japan and Korea. One of the perks of that account was that we could purchase non-business related tickets from one of the consolidators that handled their inventory at no mark-up. The consolidator had contracts with other airlines, so we got some really excellent airfares during that period.  Apparently, it was cheaper to buy through a consolidator because the airline fares are set by an algorithm. The one major downside was that those discount flights didn't count towards rewards, but the prices were so low that it didn't really matter.

There are places that call themselves consolidators online and you can get a good deal, but the prices are not quite the same as a true consolidator. However, I think you can definitely do better than $6k.

I met a dude in the Delta lounge and he gave me his buddies number who is some sort of broker. He buys people's "points tickets" and sells them cheaper. Pretty cool, but haven't reached out to him yet to check the pricing.

Best time is 2-3 months in advance. If your going to spend that much on tickets, make sure you get an airline credit card if you don’t already have one. Points really add up.
If you don’t mind being a little shady and pissing off the airline, you could try skiplagged.com
I never try them, though because I hear it can affect your points.

The points part doesn't bother me. I use Amex and spend over a million a year and then transfer those to Delta skymiles. As long as you fly star alliance, you can use them. Down side is they've started raping you. Business class international used to be 250,000  points and is not 295-450,000 depending. I wonder if hey have a tracker on my app that makes them jack my points price up. I rarely fly Delta if I have to pay out of pocket, so they probably realize I'm just usin them for points. Great airline though.

[seCrawler]

The points part doesn't bother me. I use Amex and spend over a million a year and then transfer those to Delta skymiles.

I have Plum and Platinum Business and Personal.  Are you saying you are a Black Card holder?  Delta is shit, esp their Gulfstream shuttles from LAX - SAN, disgusting, smelly and hot, and over-crowded.   

[IRON CROSS]

Surfing trip to Thailand (3 of us) $ 550 return  with Air Asia.

[Irongrip400]

I have Plum and Platinum Business and Personal.  Are you saying you are a Black Card holder?  Delta is shit, esp their Gulfstream shuttles from LAX - SAN, disgusting, smelly and hot, and over-crowded.   

No, same as you, platinum business and personal.  I have never been asked, but after reading up on it, the platinum seems to offer the same benefits as black when it comes to travel.  One of the times I was on the phone with them I asked about how to get a black card, and the girl wanted to know if I needed someone to contact me.  I told her no, I was just curious.  I have an Amex business liaison that stops by or calls once a month to see about how to get me to spend more.  She will go beat on doors of vendors I use and try and get them to accept the card.  I have had almost $230,000 outstanding in one month (about $190k on the statement and the rest was between when the cycle closed and the payment was actually due) and never had them bat an eye.  I would say they are hands down the best card, but because they partner with Delta, that it typically who I fly.

[HTexan]

No, same as you, platinum business and personal.  I have never been asked, but after reading up on it, the platinum seems to offer the same benefits as black when it comes to travel.  One of the times I was on the phone with them I asked about how to get a black card, and the girl wanted to know if I needed someone to contact me.  I told her no, I was just curious.  I have an Amex business liaison that stops by or calls once a month to see about how to get me to spend more.  She will go beat on doors of vendors I use and try and get them to accept the card.  I have had almost $230,000 outstanding in one month (about $190k on the statement and the rest was between when the cycle closed and the payment was actually due) and never had them bat an eye.  I would say they are hands down the best card, but because they partner with Delta, that it typically who I fly.

black card is for suckers that just want to show off. No benefit.