With any new trip overseas, the hunt begins for the best flights, prices and even layover destinations. I sometimes use travel agents when things get complicated or I run out of time, but for the most part, I consider finding the perfect flight as some sort of quest with personal satisfaction as the prize.

There are many online sites to use to help you in narrowing down your options and prices. Everyone has their preferred way to do it,  but here are my favorite ways to find cheap airfare:

1. Kayak - I use this site as my baseline for average costs and flight times. Since it does some of the work for me by looking into other travel sites, I consider this a great place to start.
2. Open-leg or multi-city flights - this is a genius trick in finding cheaper flights with interesting layovers. For a trip to Thailand, consider a multi-stop trip, allowing you to rest along the way. This past May, I booked a multi-city trip from Denver to Hong Kong and then on to Thailand. I spent two amazing days in Hong Kong, taking in the sites and and resting before I headed to my final destination where I had to hit the ground running for work.
3. Regional or local airline carriers - You can find some of the best prices using regional airlines. For example, if you need to get to Egypt, consider doing a round trip flight to a place in Europe, like Vienna or Paris. Then use a regional carrier to take you to your final destination. This would require two round trip tickets, but sometimes the prices are well worth it! Plus, you may even get to spend a day or two taking in another city.
4. Airline websites - Going straight to the source may often be your best bet! I have found a round trip ticket to Asia on United for $800 by going directly to the United Airlines website. Don't forget to check these out before you book.
5. Frequent Flyer Programs - Most airlines have a frequent flyer program you can join for free. And you may have even received an offer (or 12) for a credit card that helps you reach your mile status faster. These can be great programs to participate in, especially if you use one airline frequently. Sometimes I use my accrued miles to cover one way of a round trip flight. That leaves me with just the cost of a one-way ticket home, which can be a big help when you're in a budget crunch!

Other website that I use that have produced great results are Airfare Watchdog, Kiwi, and Travelocity. Whichever site, program or airline you choose, I hope you are able to find the most economical way to fly. And maybe even squeeze in a new destination or a long-layover in the process!

What are some of your favorite ways to fly on the cheap?