MOST OF THE TIME THE PEOPLE USED TO GET THE TKTS AT THE SAME HOUR THAT THEY ARE LEAVING, BUT THE SECRET HERE AND PLEASE FOLLOW MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND I AM SURE YOU WILL SAVE A LOTS OF MONEY ON TRIPS:
1.- FIRST ALL YOU HAVE TO PLAN WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND HOW LONG YOU ARE PLANNING TO STAY THERE.
2;-SEARCH THE BEST PRICES FOR HOTEL,CAR TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL AND VICEVERSE.
3.-CHOOSE THE AIRLINES WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL BUT LET ME TELL YOU THAT THE BEST PRICES YOU CAN GET IT ON THE FOLLOWING AIRLINES:
SOUTHWEST, NORTHWEST AND US AIRWAYS(BUT DON'T TELL EVERYBODY THIS IS A SECRET JUST FOR YOU)

this a link where you can get a divided miles for traveling:
http://dividendmileswireless.com/usairways/vu/
and here you have some promotions from this airline:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/specials/promotions/newroutesale.aspx?c=00521_hp_txt

4.- Once you have your destinations, you must pay your tkt thre months before traveling, but remember you can't change your route or date because if not you will pay a penalty of 100 dlls plus the different of tkts which can be another 300 dls. For that reason is very important to plan your trip for not making changes.
5.-See how the weather is in the place you are going to visit for not purchasing clothes you don't need in that city.
6.- Ready and ENJOY YOUR TRIP!
Well maybe some recommendations are not adjust to you but try to prepare everything before traveling. If you are ready for all, you will not have any problem.