Any Good Tips to Find Cheap Flights?

Be careful-read the fine print-sometimes the ticket prices are low because you're getting charged a fee/bag

check JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, go directly to their sites. I always find them to be the cheapest. You said winter vacation; if it's during the holidays, everything is pricey, as you probably know ;) Good luck, and have Fun!!

I've had good experiences with Expedia. There usually are baggage fees, but my understanding is that is true no matter what. Sometimes I see what Expedia is offering and then go to the lower priced airline websites directly and see if I can get a better deal/time. I don't love Spirit but we flew them last year to FL and got a fantastic deal by joining their club for a small fee. It saved us a ton on the flight and on baggage fees so was totally worth it. Also Google "best day of week to purchase airline tickets" - I actually got a better deal on the day they suggested! Good luck. It's stressful to try to get that great deal when prices keep changing!

I book tickets, hotels and cars weekly for our company business and personal travel.

Personally, I never, ever go through a discounter. If you find cheaper, there is a reason for it.... as in more fees for baggage, you are the first one bumped if the airline needs to do so, you have no customer support at the airport if needed.

I use American out of DFW and Southwest out of Love Field here in Dallas.

Southwest: LOVE this airline. I fly my husband to Houston monthly on a 21 day in advance for less than $120 on the web special. Even if you use the web special and you don't make your flight, the money is banked for you to use within the year. If you spend a little more, you get a fully refundable andchangeable flight. We don't bother with the $10 for faster seating but we are on the A-list anyway and are in the first 20 to get on the plane. NO bag fees up to 2 bags. This is worth $25 minumum per bag.

American: They also have deals online. There have been times I needed a quick flight as in within 5 days and American has beat SW pricing! Again, we are platinum so we don't pay any bag fees but the bag fees are $25/bag

I also deal directly with hotels and cars. It is not that time consuming for me because I do it all the time. Southwest is good with customer service and will walk you through something online if needed. American does charge for customer service.

Good luck

we live in chicago too and the best advise i can give is DO NOT fly Spirit! if your times are flexible, I would bid on priceline. That is how we always get the best prices!