Younger travelers can try consulting agents devoted to student and youth travel. If you meet the qualifications (usually you must be either a full-time student or under 26), student and youth travel agencies can provide excellent deals--often 25% to 35% off the lowest coach fares. Council Travel is the largest student travel agency, with offices in most cities as well as college towns.

2torial #0904: Learn2 Shop for Bargain Airfares Research rebaters and travel agents Really just discount travel agents, rebaters return to the consumer a portion of the commission they receive from the airline. The more expensive the flight, the better the deal you'll get, though the most you could conceivably save is ten percent. In fact, savings average around five percent--but every cent counts. It's generally a good idea to call a rebater before checking with a travel agent, so you can compare prices. Large membership warehouse clubs, such as Costco and Sam's Club (owned by the same corporation as Wal Mart), often act as rebaters. However, you might have to be a member to take advantage of their services. You can also find sites with rebater contact information simply by searching the Internet. Call a travel agent Now that you've checked out the other options, why not call a traditional travel agent? They might just have a deal for you. Travel agents can check airfares at all the airlines, and can suggest less expensive flights that fit your schedule. In addition, travel agents can provide a level of service, from reserving seats to arranging hotels and ground transportation, that no one else can match. So if cost is no object, this is the way to go--but if that's the case, why are you reading this 2torial? Step 6