 TITLE: How to Save Money on Flights CONTENT: Join Frequent-Flyer Programs\n----------------------------\nIt's easy and free to sign up for airline frequent-flyer programs, and doing so can help you save on flights.\n*   **Promotions and discounts**: Airlines often send emails to mileage program members with deals and discounts for flights from their home cities when fares go on sale. This way they can be among the first to access cheap tickets.\n*   **Earning award miles**: These days, airlines are posting award sales with tickets that require as few as 2,500 miles each way. You don't have to take too many flights to rack up numbers like that, so by joining a frequent-flyer program, you can start socking away miles for your next award trip.\n*   **Achieve elite status**: Requirements vary by airline, but if you fly enough to earn elite status, you can usually count on benefits like free checked bags and the ability to select more types of seats in advance. That can save you money on the fees airlines now charge for these services. END