Airfare Expert: Finding Memorial Day deals

Holiday periods generally mean more expensive flights, and Memorial Day weekend is no exception. But it's a double-whammy when you factor in the seasonal uptick in fares that hits in mid-May. You can still save, though, with some applied airfare wisdom.

Choose travel periods wisely: The ideal itinerary for making the most of a three-day holiday weekend is to depart on Friday and return Monday. But that's when everyone wants to fly, so airlines charge more. Alternative travel days - and routes - could save a little or a lot. Take a look at these examples of round-trip flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

• Depart Friday, return Monday (non-stop): $640
• Depart Saturday, return Tuesday (non-stop): $402
• Depart Thursday, return Monday (connecting): $437*
• Depart Saturday, return Monday (connecting): $411*

*These flights may be all-day affairs so we don't necessarily recommend them for short weekend trips but include them to illustrate the pricing pattern.

Choose airports wisely: If you're lucky enough to live near multiple airports, the cheapest is generally the biggest. There are occasional exceptions to this rule, so always compare fares to all airports within driving distance.

Choose the wisest destination: Try a short-haul getaways such as hub-to-hub flights of 90 minutes or less, as these competitive routes are largely immune to holiday price hikes. Another ideal itinerary is flights less than two-and-a-half hours in length and with the tightest connections possible.

Choose sales wisely: Some airfare sales are limited to travel on Tuesdays or Wednesdays only, which may not work for a Monday holiday getaway. But check out the last-minute weekend deals that remain a staple of legacy carriers. Some of the prices are good, some not-so-good, but one might work for you. Just be aware that many of these deals are locked into narrow departure/return time-frames.

Choose the right airline: No single airline always has the best fares, and that includes Spirit and Southwest. See what they offer, absolutely, but compare their deals on an airfare search site and you might get a nice surprise. But be sure you're comparing apples-to-apples by factoring in (or out) baggage, early boarding or seat selection fees. Also factor in miles gained or lost by switching airlines (don't forget credit card miles). Plus, if you're driving to an alternative airport to save, be sure to factor in parking and fuel costs.

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick (@rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.