I have read about a lot of books (e.g., Tony Morrison's airfare secrets) and "monthly reports" (e.g., Mr. Upgrade) that promise to tell travelers how to save $$$$ on flights, but I've noticed that the supposed 'reviews' of these books are all taken from the same piece of writing (being a professor, it looks like a lot of copying went on here . These sites always promise to tell you the secrets, but make sure not to reveal anything until after you submit some credit card info,, which makes me a bit nervous. Someone on this site said that the tips I could get from you all were better or just as good.

So, here's the deal. My wife is Chilean and has only been back once since leaving 14 years ago. She's dying to go back over Christmas break, but we can't seem to find a good deal on tickets. We have 2 kids and an infant that we'll be taking with us. Does anyone know of any way to get some cheaper tickets? Something in the $800 range would be beautiful. Currently, the best we can find is around $1100 and involves a complicated route to get there. What are these "magic words" I keep reading about, and what are the deals I'm supposed to be seeing on international travel (esp. to Latin America)? Please share your wisdom with me on this one. Thanks in advance for any advice you can proffer.

It would make the task easier if you told us where you are starting from. (And which country's dollars you are pricing in.)

Finding tickets at the prices you want for travel over Christmas is very unlikely.

If you want inexpensive tickets for international travel ex-US then I suggest going Thanksgiving week as prices are usually cheaper during that US-only holiday as few people are traveling then. Plan on leaving the Sunday-Tuesday before Thanksgiving and coming back the Tuesday or Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

The books and websites are pretty much all scams.

Try a ticket consolidator and making the flights between two MAJOR international airports (ie LAX-SCL). Make sure the consolidator takes credit cards, do not use a consolidator that insists on a check or cash.

Google "Airfare Consolidators" for more info and various colsolidator links.

About the books/newsletters you mention, my charitable view would be that they can at best be useful to a total novice. Once you know the basics, you can get better advice here, and there is no substitute for your own research.

To be honest, your post has a few traits that make it difficult to help you. You don't tell us your starting airport. Or how many days in Chile. Or the flexibility in your dates. And after your first post, you haven't bothered with checking the forum and responding to any questions people have. I too was inclined to try to help, but don't know where to begin.

As others have said, around Christmas is an expensive time to fly. You'll find better fares in Oct-Nov or Jan-April.

$1100 doesnt seem to be a bad price.

With any christmas trip you are going to pay a premium
especially if you are planning your trip less than 3 mths
before christmas.

Welcome to Flyer Talk drrich

This doesn't seem to be a topic on oneworld, so moving the thread where you may get a broader perspective.

Kiwi Flyer
OW moderator

drrich
Welcome to flyertalk!
There is a wealth of information available here.

The search engine is a good start.

What is your departure city!

First off, I want to thank all those who've answered. For some reason, I didn't receive anyone's message (and didn't remember the name of the forum as I submitted to a few to ask my q's). Again--apologies and thanks for the quick help.

Some details about our trip. I am a college professor, so leaving around Christmas is a good time to take off. I'm flexible on leave/return dates around that time. We are leaving from Salt Lake City international airport. Most the deals we find are from major airports such as LAX, Miami, etc., so usually the deals we find mean we also have to consider travel to LA (abt. 12 hrs. driving or 1 hr flying). I understand I'll pay a premium for Christmas travel, and have tried to convince my wife that June-July is a better time as the whole family can be together for a full month, but she wants to visit Chile when it is summer in Chile. She also wants to take the kids (2 little boys, and a lap-baby).

So, quick, specific question--I've read a lot about consolidators; who is a reliable one? Should I pay a subscription to a particular service (is it worth it)?