So, you dont know how to play the airline game too well? Well here are the tips and tricks.

1. If you do the airline mileage game, then heres how to get A LOT of miles quick. Sign up for there credit card. 20,000 miles is only 5,000 miles from a free ticket. Then, once you make a purchase, pay off the credit card, wait for your miles to post to your account, and close it. You keep the miles as a courtesy, and also get almost enough miles for a free ticket! (Or a free ticket on some airlines like United- they allow you to have a free ticket at just 19,000 miles).

2. Get bumped. Airlines typically overbook flights because many times people dont show up for flights or are late. Call the night before and ask if the flight you are on is overbooked. If they say yes, show up early, and ask if you can give up your seat. Do this if you are in no hurry. Make sure they move you to another flight that day, or another airline (they will get you a seat on another airline if they are on the same network i.e. united and us or northwest and delta etc…) They will provide you with a FREE ticket good anytime you wish with no strings, and also ask if you can get a meal voucher.

3. If you are forcibly bumped, make sure to get your free ticket and a meal voucher if over 3 hours. If it is overnight- DONT let them make you stay at the airport- get a hotel voucher. They put you up at the best places.

4. Watch for the deals. They post them on their websites. IE- US is here: http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/specials/default.aspx

Or United: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50066,00.html?navSource=Dropdown07&linkTitle=specialdeals

Or Northwest: http://www.nwa.com/deals/fare_promotions.html

ETC……

-Sign up for e-savers. They sometimes have good deals with them, and there is no spam. There posted once a week.
-Watch for discount codes from places like student universe- GO Deals are a good deal if you keep checking them. It takes time, but can save hundreds.

5. Ask for an upgrade- they sometimes are very nice if they have 1st class seats open- theyll upgrade you if you yell about things enough.

6. Book early, and book a weekday flight for the cheapest fares. Be flexible- cheapest fares are usually at night or early in the morning so dont be picky on times if you want the best fares.

7. Be nice to the workers. They, like all of us, are only doing there jobs- there more willing to help you if you are decent to them.