…despite recent higher airfare prices. True, flying may be more expensive now, but there are still ways to find deals. Though most Internet-savvy travelers immediately think of the big travel search engines when planning a vacation, there are other options. The airlines' websites often offer short-term deals on flights that aren't released to the big search engines. Booking a flight by calling the airline is seen by some as passé, using the phone can often yield a better deal than booking online. Of course, booking this way makes comparison shopping difficult. Try getting a rough idea of the price range for a particular flight by searching for it on one of the big search engines. Then, call the airline that seems to have the best deal. Sometimes, an even better deal can be had by talking to the airline directly. Or try your good, old-fashioned neighborhood travel agent, especially for regional flights. Travel agents have been hurt by the rise of the Internet, they still have access to exclusive deals on flights. Time is money, and often using an agent can save hours of Internet searching – especially for obscure destinations, multiple stops, tight schedules, or local trips. Despite recent changes in the airlines, flying is still an amazing experience that is accessible to many budgets. Plan early and plan well. The sky's the limit!