I've tried to research in and out and have only found two decent sources for cheap airline tickets.
1) The ultimate ITA matrix
2) Skiplagged
ITA
With the ITA matrix you can use their calendar to determine the best time to buy your ticket. So let's say you see an advertised ticket of $300 per person for some flight. You can go to ITA to try to see what the price actually is for which dates and have more data to make a good decision. It also gives you the airline code so you can make sure you will get enough airline miles.
You can make the decision between buying the $300 dollar tickets for half miles or the $400 ticket for full miles.
Skiplagged
Skiplagged is a really cool tool that basically takes your location out of the equation. So, if there is a really cheap flight from Chicago to San Diego, with one stop in Los Angeles, most people wouldn't take that flight if they were going to Los Angeles.
If you searched the "normal" way - through kayak for example, to try to find a trip from ORD to LAX...it wouldn't show you the super cheap ORD - San Diego route. With skiplagged, it shows you this option, and many more.
It is usually the best when you have last minute travel. For example, we wanted to take a trip to Los Angeles, and checked ITA and in two weeks, tickets were about $500 ($2,000!).
Then we checked skiplagged, found that San Diego flight, and the price went down to $1,000.
The only bad thing is that you can't really check luggage, but for a short trip a few carry on suitcases or a backpack will do.
If you travel frequently, or even if you don't, you should sign up to be a frequent flier and stick with it. If you fly enough, you can redeem free airline tickets or other items.
If you are just searching for flights, you only have to two places to go now! Yay for saving money, big living, and not having to search a gazillions sites for affordable tickets.
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