Comparing airfare seems like it used to be simpler. You picked a travel site, did your search and picked the lowest cost carrier. Now there seems to be even more tricks to the trade that can help you find even better fares. Check out these facts to get the most out of your comparison-shopping.

Not all sites get the same airfares. One would assume all the major sites would get the same deals, but this is not true. The carriers do provide some with specials. Check multiple sites or use an aggregator site for a complete search.

Carriers keep some exclusive deals for themselves. It can pay to check out an airline’s own website for fares. This assures the guy next to you on the plane didn’t get a better deal than you did. Airlines constantly update their fares to fill the plane. On weekdays, fare changes happen up to three times a day and once a day on weekends. Save your search and check the site often to take advantage of optimized prices.

Flexibility pays. If you can fly mid-week or at off hours when passenger loads are minimal, you will be rewarded with lower fares. Also check multiple airports for departure and arrivals as this can also provide lower fares. A little more travel time can really payoff. For the true bargain hunter, knowing some key facts about how airlines operate can help you discover the lowest fares.