Okay, so there’s a fare sale but you can’t find the special deal. No, the carrier and the airport aren’t lying to you, but there are some things you need to check out to make sure you qualify. It’s all in the small print…Here’s how to navigate.

1. Most fare sales are to specific destinations, a carrier seldom put fares to everywhere on sale. First check that your destination is one of the sale cities. 

2. Most fare sales have specific advance purchase, purchase-by and use-by dates. Make sure that you are booking your ticket far enough in advance of your travel date, purchasing your ticket and traveling within the specified dates. For example, if the fine print says “14-day advance purchase required” but you want to purchase your ticket and travel in the next two days, you won’t qualify for the sale fare.

3. Most, but not all, fare sales will be listed “each way based on a round trip purchase.” That means that you have to book a round-trip ticket to qualify for the low each-way price. Some carriers, like Allegiant Air, sell “one-way” tickets where you won’t have to purchase a round-trip fare. There is a difference…check the small print.

4. Taxes and fees will add to your ticket price and are not included in the advertised price. The small print will spell this out for you.

5. Book early. Only a few seats on each flight will be priced at the sale rate. Once those seats are sold you’ll have to try a different flight or a different day to find the sale fare. In some cases, you may find the sale fare on the departure, but a higher fare on the return. That just means that the sale fares were already sold on that portion of your trip. The small print will tell you that not every seat on every flight is available at the sale fare. Again, book early. You are competing with everyone else for the sale seats.

6. Sometimes black-out dates will apply. Black-out dates are usually highly traveled days like holidays or spring break periods. If you are traveling at this time, it is doubtful you will be able to find the sale price.

7. The carrier will often specify a Saturday night stay or one-night stay required for the sale fare. That falls into the same category as purchase-by and use-by dates (see 2. above).

8. Most sale fares are non-refundable so be sure you want the ticket before  finishing the transaction. Once your tickets are booked, most carriers will charge you a hefty fee to change your flight.

9. Some carriers charge a convenience fee for booking tickets on their website, some charge a booking fee for purchasing tickets at their airline counters, and some charge a fee for booking tickets by telephone. Most carriers now charge to check luggage, and some charge to reserve specific seats. Check out which carrier charges for what by going to the carrier’s website.

I hope these hints will be helpful, but even if you can’t find a sale, fares are pretty low right now, so it is a great time to travel. Enjoy!