We're looking for the lowest available airfare from NY area to Phoenix first week in July. What's the best way to do this, travel website or directly w/the airline?

Thanks for any assistance.

Tough call. In my experience, I've rarely gotten a "deal" from the travel websites-- the advantage is the ability to comparison-shop between airlines. But then they add little charges to your fare, and they end up more expensive!

Your best bet is to start your research on the travel websites, then to check with your candidate airlines' websites. You might save money with their e-ticket options. One nice thing about the airlines' websites: You can usually select your seat on-line (well, American offers that on aa.com).

rjw is right. Best to check with the individual airline websites in addition to Travelocity, Expedia, Cheaptickets, Orbitz, etc. In my experience I have also been able to choose my seat when using Travelocity and Expedia. Not sure about the others though.

The best time to get the lowest fare is just after 12AM Wednesday morning. This is when the airlines post their sale fares.

I have had a lot of luck wiht the online ticketing sites... I personally like Orbitz because i can use their flexible search option to find the cheapest flights around my basic departure times.

i just found a good rate for that week
of $300 (most are now close to 400 or over) nonstop on America West on the Expedia website. newark to phx. it was more expensive on the America West website.

Thank you, all. I found a $258 r/t on the AW website when I juggled my travel dates.

One thing I learned everyone can do if you are not having luck finding a decent roundtrip fare when you will not have a Sat night stay is book a 1-way...and then book another roundtrip ticket with a Sat stay and just plan on not taking the return back. Make sure you don't mess with the departure, only the return, because if you don't take your departure, then they will cancel your return. He he.