Best strategies for one-way flights

Perhaps you’re going to drive cross-country with friends, and are hoping to fly home once you reach the opposite coast. Maybe you’re taking a cruise and will only need to fly one leg of the journey. You could be relocating, meaning no return ticket is needed. Whatever the reason, you’ve probably found it’s tricky to find a good deal on a one-way flight, as travel providers typically default to selling round-trip tickets.

Here are some foolproof strategies for getting a good price when you’re going one-way:

• Go low-fare: AirTran, ATA, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit sell their tickets à la carte, so you can buy a one-way ticket without penalty. These airlines offer sales pretty frequently, so check often to make sure you’re getting the best price.
• Check consolidators: Sometimes the major airlines have discounted one-way fares, but they don’t publicize them. Check sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity to see if the majors can compete with the low-cost carriers.
• Think rail: If you’re planning on taking part of your trip by train, check out Amtrak‘s vacation packages. Often you may be able to bundle your airfare and rail travel together.

Have a great travel tip you’d like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to editor@smartertravel.com.

(Editor’s Note: SmarterTravel.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Expedia.com.)