With fuel prices topping an all-time high, now is probably the worst time to travel by plane. But, if you have loved ones who live far away, or if you’re planning a family vacation, buying an airline ticket may be the only alternative.

Finding cheap airline tickets is difficult. But, there are ways to save money. You may not be able to find dirt cheap airline tickets, but you should be able to find tickets that are within your price range. The key is knowing where to shop, and when to buy the tickets.

First of all, stay away from travel websites such as Travelocity or Expedia. Don’t get me wrong, they offer low cost airfare – but their prices aren’t the cheapest. Instead, look for cheap airline tickets on a consolidator’s website. Ticket consolidators offer the best deals. They buy tickets from the airlines, and sell them at a discount.

Another great way to find cheap airline tickets is to buy from a website that specializes in last-minute deals. Airlines don’t want half-empty flights. Rather than cancel the flight, they prefer to significantly discount the ticket price and attract travelers.