Affordable tickets to Phoenix?

Help me. I'm trying to find reasonably-priced ($200 or less) flights from Chicago to Phoenix for the week before Easter (March 15-21) but cannot believe how expensive they are right now. I have tried Southwest, Orbitz, and Travelocity without success.

Does anyone have any secret tips?

Call the airline called TED they have cheap flights. It is UniTED airlines cheap plain rides.

http://www.cheaptickets.com

$200 or less may be hard. You can try US Air directly, but if Southwest and US Air are giving you more than $200, then you may be stuck. That is actually a popular time to come from Chicago because of Spring training.

There are a million things that affect airfares. Day of the week, time of day, non stop, or not, flight, advance purchase, even the time of day that you purchase the tickets.

One tip that might help is your departure date. Saturday is a busy day for airlines. If you could depart and return on a slow day like Thursday you will find the fares somewhat lower.

Also if you don't insist on a non stop flight, but rather go through a connecting city, that too can lower the fares.

The time of day the fare is published can affect the fare. You have to check back often, and at different times of the day to get the lowest price. Airlines often run "specials" so check often.

Once you find the fare you like from the various travel consolidators, then go to that airlines website and price the same flight. It's often lower because it does not include the consolidators commission.

Finally, while Southwest often has a low price remember that they habitually over book most flights to fill the plane, so there is a chance when flying Southwest that you would get "bumped" off the flight even if you have a confirmed reservation. Just so you'll know. Good Luck.