**Be flexible. Avoid ideal (but pricey) mid-morning to early afternoon flights.
**Be persistent. Sifting through Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline and airline Web sites could reward you with a surprise budget fare. Try booking flights one leg at a time, or using two one-ways.
**Flying to your destination on the Tuesday instead of Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Christmas could save you a $100 or more.
**Book now. Whatever cheap fares remain are disappearing quickly. Procrastinators will pay more this year.

See more travel tips here.