Once upon a time, when you booked airfare, you could easily compare prices. That time is gone, and with many airlines now charging for bags and inflight services, you really do have to do a bit of analysis before deciding which flight is the cheapest.
Before you book, you should think about your optimal flight experience. Do you need an assigned seat? Some airlines, like Airtran, charge for that “luxury”. Are you checking bags? Jetblue and Southwest allow you to check bags for free (one on Jetblue and two on Southwest). That can really save you a lot of money if you have lots of luggage. Some airlines also charge for exit row seats while others do not.
So, the next time you purchase airfare, do a little advance work to make sure you get the best deal!
