Seek out the Less Familiar Airlines
Airlines with less familiar names-Singapore, Korean, Thai, China, Spanair, Royal Jordanian, Cathay Pacific, ANA-All Nippon-tend to offer lower fares than do the more advertised, well known carriers. This also goes for newer airlines that are trying to attract customers for routes previously dominated by the familiar, larger carriers.

Less Popular Airports Provide Savings!
If you are flying to a major metropolitan area or a very popular destination, it is often cheaper to fly into a nearby airport that is less popular. You can use ground transportation to get to your final destination. For example, instead of flying into San Francisco, you may want to choose Oakland or San Jose. Instead of Los Angeles, fly to San Diego. Or avoid the crowds and confusion of Chicago's O'Hare Airport by flying to Milwaukee's Mitchell International.

One-Way Travel
Most of the time if you want to travel one way, you will be required to purchase a full fare ticket. That single one way ticket will probably cost more than a round trip excursion ticket. Check on the round trip promotional fares available, and if they're less than the one way ticket buy it or use the alternatives we described above to "use" the unneeded ticket.

Companion Fares
Companion fares are "back door" discount fares that have enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years especially with uncertain economic conditions and rising fuel prices causing passengers to think twice before taking along a spouse (or "significant other"). A companion fare can be either a free ticket or an inexpensive fixed-fare ticket that is offered in conjunction with the purchase of an excursion or economy fare round-trip ticket.

Special Members Discounts
Many airlines offer discount interline vacations, to airline employees, airline employee families, airline retirees, and parents or companions of airline employees.