Finding cheap flights is a bit like playing a game—a game with very confusing rules. But we've simplified some of the core rules and listed them here so you can play the game successfully and get cheap airline flights and the best price on a ticket:

Rule 1: Check several web sites for cheap flights

The airfare for a single flight may differ between independent Web reservation sites, advertisements, an airline's reservation number, and an airline's own reservation web site. Before you buy, check several reservation Web sites, and never assume that what a telephone reservationist quotes you is the lowest price. Our Travel Reservation Center is a good place to begin checking prices.

Rule 2: Watch for sales

Keep an eye out for ever-changing airfare specials. These specials can be found in the newspaper, on TV, and on the Internet. See our Hot Travel Deals to view the latest cheap flights that Travelhammer has nailed down.

Rule 3: Use airline mileage programs

Sign up for airline frequent flyer programs. Once a member, the airlines will begin to send you special offers to help you find flights cheap. See our article on airline mileage programs to learn more about the benefits of joining.

You should also consider airline credit cards as a way to get air miles and other travel benefits.

Rule 4: Consider discounts from all sources

If you're a member of an organization or travel program such as AAA, AARP, Quest, or the Entertainment Book, be sure to inquire about potential travel discounts.

Rule 5: Be flexible in your travel plans

You may find a cheaper fare if you're willing to depart a day or two early, or return a few days later. The Fare Comparison Calendar flight search option on Expedia.com lets you see the cheap airline flights that others have already booked, then lets you see if the same price is still available. With a little date flexibility, you too can save! Another option to try is searching for cheap flights on Travelocity. It does a great job in helping you check prices for various time periods. Last but not least, if saving money is your ultimate goal, you're willing to be flexible, and you don't mind restrictions on your ticket, you might try pricing airfares on Hotwire.com.

Rule 6: Plan ahead

Plan ahead, but not too far ahead. The listed price for a flight may drop over time as the actual departure date approaches, then rise again. Try to buy your ticket when the listed airfare is at or near its lowest point.

Rule 7: Use an alternate airport

If you don't mind a bit of extra driving, consider an alternate airport in or near your destination city. For example, if you're traveling to San Francisco, you might consider checking prices to Oakland and San Jose as well. Most of the sites you'll find in the Travel Reservation Center offer search tools that look for cheaper flights at alternate airports.

Rule 8: Ask for a refund

After you purchase your ticket, continue to keep an eye on prices for the same flight, date, and time. If the price drops, contact your airline and ask about a refund for the difference.

Many airlines offer a refund "upon request" if the airfare for a particular flight, day, and coach classification goes down, but check with your airline before banking on this policy. Make sure you completely understand the fair class codes (e.g., promotional, non-refundable, changeable) and discuss all refund scenarios with your airline representative.

Rule 9: Watch for additional fees

Keep in mind that advertised airfares often do not include taxes and other fees that will affect your final total.

Rule 10: Be proactive

Don't rely too heavily on the airfare e-mail alerts that some reservation Web sites offer. They will sometimes arrive too late, after all the deals are gone.

Rule 11: Use multiple search methods

Employ a variety of search methods when using a Web site to price tickets. Searching for a flight using an "All Airlines" criteria may result in a higher quoted fare than searching for a flight using a specific airline.

Rule 12: Search for cheap flights at midnight

Check fares online at 15 minutes after midnight. This might reveal low fares that were shown during the day as unavailable. Courtesy-hold reservations are usually released at about this time if the individuals reserving the tickets did not complete their purchase.

Rule 13: Verify prices for single and multiple passengers

If you're booking a flight for more than one passenger online, check the ticket price for both a single passenger and multiple passengers. When you specify multiple passengers, you may be quoted higher per-person airfares over those you get when you simply specify one passenger.

Rule 14: Once you have a ticket, don't change your plans. But if you must...

Airlines will often state that a low-fare, restricted ticket is non-changeable, nonrefundable, and non-transferable. If, however, you must change your flight plans, you typically can obtain a monetary credit in the amount of the ticket price toward the purchase of another ticket on the same carrier. In addition, if you need to change your flight, you may be able to standby for another flight with no change fee imposed. This standby method requires you to go directly to the gate and present your ticket to the gate agent. Whether the airline and/or gate agent will permit this no-charge standby flight change will differ between airlines and passenger service agents. It's a gamble that may be worth it, if you can afford the risk.

Note: Some airlines have special requirements you must comply with in order to receive any credit for a flight you miss. For example, at least one value-priced airline requires you to notify them several days ahead of your departure day if you know you're going to miss a flight or make a change in schedule. In this case, if you fail to notify the airline, you'll be denied any credit whatsoever.

Travelhammer strongly urges you to carefully read all statements printed on your paper ticket. If you are booking an electronic ticket, call the airline after booking and request that they fax you all statements normally printed on their paper tickets. Make sure they include their Contract of Carriage agreement.

Rule 15: Use these other tips

Use these additional tips to find those elusive cheap flight tickets:

• Limit your travel days to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, if possible.
• Include a Saturday-night stopover.
• Fly at off-peak hours (departures before 6 a.m. and after 7 p.m.). You'll actually end up on airplanes that aren't packed solid.
• Avoid traveling during holidays. However, you might save money by traveling on the actual holiday itself (e.g., Thanksgiving Day).
• Don't restrict yourself to checking prices on only one airline, even if you are a frequent flyer member. The price you may save by your disloyalty may prove well worth the frequent flyer points you forego. In many cases, you can purchase frequent flyer points from the airlines anyway.
• Look to smaller, value-priced airlines for consistent discounts. (Frontier, AirTran, JetBlue, Midwest Airlines, etc.) Several of the major online booking sites sell tickets for these carriers.

Rule 16: Find cheap flights using our game plans

Formulate a game plan. Good news! We did the work for you! Follow our game plan to find the cheap air flights you're looking for.

But if you feel that you're ready to begin your research, a good place to start is in our Travel Reservation Center.

Related articles:

Choosing an airline
There's more to buying an airline ticket than just grabbing the cheapest fare.

Cheap airfares online
Want just the basics? We give you the key steps to take to find a good deal on an airline ticket.