Airlines like Northwest, American, Delta and United have now doubled the cost of the ticket surcharges. During such peak travel times, fliers can expect to pay an extra $20 surcharge  just for flying. This surcharge is in addition to the costs of baggage and taxes. Some airlines are still offering discounted ticket prices depending on where you plan to fly so it becomes much more difficult to make travel arrangements.

Consumers who are looking to fly  really need to check out what  the options are for airfare. Many times the surcharges will be added in with the price of the ticket and the websites will only show you the total price in bold. It is up to the consumer to check out the itemized costs and decide if the travel surcharges are worth it. This will take some time so consumers will need to start planning early. Check out multiple airlines and travel sites in order to find where the discounts lie. Consumers can also check out websites like FareCompare to find the best deals on travel from every airport.

Peak travel days are still predicted to be busy, despite the extra fees but rearranging travel dates to bypass these peak days may save on travel costs. To date, the peak travel days where travelers are likely to be faced with the surcharge are November 29, and 30, December 19, 26, and 27, January 2 and 3, with additional days during spring break time and the Memorial Day weekend. On these days, travelers can also expect to find limited seating on flights.

Planning early for the holiday travel season can certainly pay off in savings because you have more time to research your options and capitalize on getting seats before they are snapped up. If airline travel  is too costly for your budget, consider traveling after the holiday rush is over or using alternative methods of travel if possible.

Travel During The Holidays and Pay Double for Your Stuff was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. When you are ready to purchase a ticket, shop online. Start first by comparing ticket prices of competing sellers before selecting a fare.

2. Find the lowest prices through other sources but before you buy, check out the airline’s website directly. Often the airlines offer additional discounts on tickets purchased online. Plus, you will save more money by not having to pay a booking fee for the tickets.

3. While in some instances time flexibility is not an option but for the times when you can travel without a tight schedule, you can often find the best bargains. Be willing to fly out or arrive in more than one airport on a time and date that affords the best deal. Off-peak hours and days are usually the best times to get a reduced ticket rate.

4. Be sure to double check taxes and fees when booking a flight. Sometimes advertisement prices do not factor in the additional cost of taxes and other fees.

5. Shop early to save money. Buying tickets in advance often gets airline fares at a lower rate than closer to the flight date.

6. Enroll in online airline websites that send out email alerts to keep you posted on airline deals and cheap tickets.

7. Research frequent flier programs available through the airlines that allow you to earn free tickets for each time you travel.

8. Utilize credit cards that offer reward programs directly related to travel. For each eligible purchase, the credit card can earn free points toward airline tickets, upgrades, and even potentially free travel. Make sure you can pay your balance off in full each month to protect your credit and help you in earning points faster.

Many consumers may automatically assume that all traveling by air is no longer affordable before even doing the research. There are many ways to save with a little time and some online investigation to compare prices. Also, don’t forget to compare the other costs associated with travel flexibility. For instance, flying into an airport that may not be as convenient as the more expensive alternative, may also require additional costs in car rentals and other expenses that should be factored in for an accurate comparison.

8 Ways to Save Your Money Buying Airline Tickets was created by and is property of American Consumer News.