We're leaving on a jet plane and we're on a budget!

So, you've decided on your vacation destination. Now, how to get there!

We’ve all heard of outrageous flight deals and offers of discounted flights but how do you find them? Truthfully, the bargain basement seats are fleeting and scarce and usually for off-times with a gazillion restrictions. But there are ways to get great deals and it starts with research. Lots of it. Check out these tips from GoGirlfriend to help you find cheap airline travel deals. 

Booking Airline TravelIf you are at all nervous of navigating the flight options, your travel agent is the best resource to call upon. They have the experience and training to find a suitable airline and itinerary. - suitable, guaranteed, but not necessarily the optimal. Take it one step further with these tips and you can advise them the optimal times and prices - still guaranteed, but on your selection.

Where are you and where are you going?

Search the following listing to determine which airport (by code) you are closest to for both departure and destination. Keep your mind open for alternative possibilities. Simply by flying out of another local airport in commutable range may save you a few hundred dollars. 

How to begin?

• 1. Visit one of the many sites that compare and offer discounted flights like Expedia, Travelocity, or CheapFlights.com. These are great for viewing the options available to you. Use your airport codes from above as the From and To airports and narrow the date range to begin.
• 2. Visit the individual airlines themselves for even more customizing, options, and sometimes seat sales. Major North American carriers include American Airlines, US Airways, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United and Air Canada but there are many more.
• 3. I suggest visiting the local airport website for the names of airlines that depart from that airport.
• 4. From the myriad of flight options and the times you are comfortable flying, take good notes of flight numbers, Airline name, departure particulars and lay out the options. Make sure dates and all your bookings are sequential in flowing smoothly for a seamless vacation. Take this info to a travel agent if you don't want to book online yourself and they can assist you in achieving the flights to compliment your holiday.

Tips to consider when narrowing the field:

-note that one way flights booked singly are usually cheaper and have more options than a round-trip package. GoGirlfriend usually books each way separately and from the individual carriers for the best rates.

-booking a flight with one stopover usually cuts the fares by up to 25%.

-if you live above the 38^th parallel and are travelling anytime in the winter months, book a stopover the farther south you can. We all know the Murphy's Law effect of weather and travel.

Finally There-some say booking early gets you a good price, some say to book as late as you can. I say have a budget and get the best available option when you are ready to book. Then don't look again. Be content with your choices.

Flights are booked? Now it's time for shopping, planning the day-trip you've always wanted, and daydreaming of the possibilities your vacation spot may yield (can you hear it?) ... sitting on a dock by the bay, watching the clouds roll away ...