Cheap International Plane Tickets
The best place to buy cheap international plane tickets is online. We've tried travel agencies and they can't compete with
discount ticket websites. You can search google ("cheap airfare South America", for example), or go straight to one of well-known sites, like Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, Hotwire or Priceline.
I just did a quick search for cheapest airfare from Tucson, Arizona, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, using five sites mentioned. They ranged from $1221 down to $873, and there were fares as high as $3728. Hotwire happened to have cheapest, but they were worst of five when I searched for a domestic flight earlier. You cannot say which service will find cheapest international plane tickets from week to week. My number one money-saving tip is to always check several websites when shopping for inexpensive flights.
My Accidental $1000 Discovery
Before going to Ecuador, I searched several websites that deal in cheap international plane tickets. The cheapest airfare from Traverse City, Michigan to Quito, was $1720. Out of curiosity, I checked Miami to Quito, and it was only $400. Airfare from Traverse City to Miami was $300. Book two separate flights and save more than $1000! The discount sites aren't set up to check in this way (yet), so you have to do this on your own.
If your first flight is late and you miss second, you may not get a refund, but it is still cheaper (every time I checked) to just book a flight to Miami and catch a flight to Quito without a reservation, thus avoiding this problem. This strategy is best for those in towns without international airports. If you live in Miami, you already have cheap international airfare.
Courier Flights
As an air courier, you can get really cheap international plane tickets. Courier companies ship material in luggage space of an aircraft passenger because it can be quicker, cheaper, and more reliable than sending shipment unaccompanied, since checked luggage bypasses many of typical customs delays. The courier company begins by purchasing airfare, and then they resell plane tickets to you. In exchange for your luggage space, they give you a discount on airfare.
An Example Of A Courier Flight
I saved over $150 on my plane tickets this way when I went to Ecuador first time. I had to walk several suitcases of car parts through customs, but there was a representative of courier company on either end, and I did get to look inside luggage, so I knew what I was carrying. I had to carry a plane propeller on return trip, but it wasn't too much trouble, and made a good story.
Limitations To Courier Travel
You generally can only be an air courier if you travel alone. Once in a while, a courier company will have opportunities for flights on or near same date. Otherwise, your travel partner can pay full fare on same flight. You also can usually only bring carry-on luggage, since point is for shipping company to use your checked luggage allowance.
