But even if you have no plans to dump your agent, the kind of information available online can help you stretch your travel budget. Here are five methods for getting the most out of your travel dollar. Sign up selectively. Most of the airlines don't let you customize their travel alerts, so if you live in New York City, you'll have to scroll through details on trips from Cleveland to San Antonio. Focus on airlines with hubs near your hometown.
Several sites consolidate all the airline deals.
Smarter Living subscribers choose the departure cities for which they want information. Finding cheap air fare is only half the battle. A common mistake is booking cheap air fares to expensive destinations. If you are watching your travel budget you need to consider the cost of meals, lodging and entertainment before you commit to a plane ticket. The price of hotels is a strong indicator of the price of everything else.