Unless your travel dates are absolutely set in stone, use flexible date searches for flights. Just about every airline's website offers the feature in which you can retrieve prices for a few days before and after your selected dates as do major sites like Travelocity and Kayak. It tends to be cheaper to fly on days other than Friday and Sunday, but don't assume anything. Flying just one day earlier or later than your ideal date could mean saving an easy $100.
Travel is full of pitfalls. One wrong step and your vacation could be ruined by a seedy hotel room, an overpriced restaurant, a wasted afternoon at a tourist-trap attraction or an overnight flight crammed in the middle seat. So, guarantee a smooth trip by planning thoroughly. Here's how to make all the right moves.