How do I find cheap plane tickets for flexible date? (cruises, best)

[hypehuman]

I wanted to visit my cousin on the opposite coast some time this summer. It doesn't really matter when I go, so I was planning to just go with whatever time gave me the cheapest tickets. However, all the websites want me to put in specific dates! Anyone know of a site that will look up for me: the cheapest ticket within a given (months-long) time frame, with a return ticket within 3-6 days of the outgoing flight, and put them in order of price?

Thanks!

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted by hypehuman

I wanted to visit my cousin on the opposite coast some time this summer. It doesn't really matter when I go, so I was planning to just go with whatever time gave me the cheapest tickets. However, all the websites want me to put in specific dates! Anyone know of a site that will look up for me: the cheapest ticket within a given (months-long) time frame, with a return ticket within 3-6 days of the outgoing flight, and put them in order of price?

Thanks!

Hotwire.com: Discount airfare, hotel reservations, car rentals, vacation packages and cruises allows this. Sometimes weekend flights are cheap depending on destination. Also, the longer you stay out before returning, the cheaper.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I believe Travelocity and Expedia let you check flexible dates, but I really like ITA.
ITA
Click on "Search airfares."
Click on "log in as guest."
On the top right, check "month long search."

Other search tools:

Travel Zoo

Airfarewatchdog

Farecompare

Booking Buddy
Bookingbiddy consolidates search engines such as Kayak,Hotwire, CheapTickets, Expedia, Orbitz etc all into one site.

[tonrob]

Kayak's another good one - searches both "traditional" and cheapo airlines and has a very user friendly search functionality.

[marmac]

I like travelocity.

I use their --"fare watcher" --and put in the destinations I want watched. They notify me by e-mail whenver those rates on those specific destinations drop.

The dates usually available are for Tuesday and Wednesday departures and returns----however, there are always many flights available throughout the day on those date.

[BlueWillowPlate]

One thing I've noticed is that discount airlines don't always show up on search engines.
It's good to check out Southwest or Jetblue individually, because they might have a good deal but it's not going to be found on Orbitz, Kayak etc.
And all of the search engines themselves are different; they do not necessarily offer the same fares.
That's why I like BookingBuddy.

[115db]

I think just about any site can give you good prices on being flexible but those last minute plans, well, youre not going to get a break from those. Southwest is one of the sites Ive always found great deals with for flexibility.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

One thing I've noticed is that discount airlines don't always show up on search engines.
It's good to check out Southwest or Jetblue individually, because they might have a good deal but it's not going to be found on Orbitz, Kayak etc.
And all of the search engines themselves are different; they do not necessarily offer the same fares.
That's why I like BookingBuddy.

As I said in my post, Kayak does show budget airlines, including Southwest and Jet Blue.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by tonrob

As I said in my post, Kayak does show budget airlines, including Southwest and Jet Blue.

Yes, if you click separately, on the "get info," you'll get Southwest.
But does Kayak show Condor, or Flyglobespan? See what I'm saying?
For my part, I simply joined JetBlue, Travel Zoo and other sites, and get their emails.
I guess everyone does what works best for them.