Cheapest Flights - how??

[jeshyr]

There has to be a good way to do this...

I want to search for the cheapest flights to get approximately 3-4 weeks in Karachi, Pakistan some time between mid November 2013 and the end of February 2014 for a university student. This is so my flatmate can go home for a while when university is out.

She's happy to vary basically anything for cheaper flight cost: annoying transfers, early payment, uncommon airlines, different days, different time away, etc.

I'm willing to spend the time to set up notifications and track search results or whatever if it'd help me find the best fare - I just don't know how. I've never booked international tickets before!! Actually I won't be booking these but my flatmate is busy studying so she doesn't have time to mess around looking, so I'm doing that part.

Initial searches say it'll be about $1,500 return. Are there sites where I can say "email me if this search result turns up under $1300" or something equivalent?

Also I'm not sure when's best to search for such a wide range of dates - Just using common sense I'm guessing that February will be best but the actual sites I found only let me search +/- 3 days.

Suggestions and hints welcome!

ETA: I'm in Melbourne, Australia. I can't believe I forgot to add that ...

Comments

[tyger]

My father loves looking up flights (why? I don't know), and he swears by Bestflights, if that's any help at all.

[jeshyr]

Thanks! I'll look there :)

[kaberett]

Specify where you're going from, and I'll ask one of my friends to have a look (they think cheap flights are a game!)

[jeshyr]

Oh! *headdesk* Melbourne, Australia. MEL. I can't believe I forgot to put that in ...

[kaberett]

"November 30 or so will get you from Melbourne to Karachi for about 800 quid which is the cheapest through November and December, if they stay for a month
But, it's a bit roundabout
Since it's connecting through Dubai"

Followed a bit later, alas, by "Yeah def. in the 800-900 GBP range consistently, and that's only if you agree to two-stop flights with shitty detours." As neither terminus is well-served :-s

[jeshyr]

Thank you friends :) It is indeed true that late November is cheaper which I find baffling but interesting ... I would have guessed that after school went back in Australia would be lots better!

[acelightning]

http://www.hipmunk.com/
http://www.orbitz.com
http://www.travelocity.com
http://www.cheapflights.com

hhttp://www.airindia.com
http://www.piac.com.pk/

be sure to look for special deals and discounts for students.

[hatman]

Hi there. Still got your feed on LJ. Hope you don't mind my dropping by now that I actually have something to say for once.

Travelocity, which has already been mentioned, is my go-to place, but I usually check against Expedia. Both do multiple airline searches including most (but not all) of the major airlines. So does Cheap Tickets. Once you find a good rate there (assuming you don't need a package deal with hotel and/or car, and that the best itinerary includes a single airline, rather than individual legs on multiple airlines) it's often a good idea to go to that airline's website directly. You might be able to get better terms from them.

Priceline lets you bid on open seats. The advantage is that you can sometimes get a better deal than you'll find elsewhere. The disadvantage is that you have to wait for them to accept or reject your offer, and if it's accepted, you're committed to make the purchase.

However, if you don't mind being overwhelmed with tabs, Kayak offers a meta-search of the meta-search sites. Put in your search terms once and it'll send them out to Travelocity, Expedia, etc.