The Internet has become like the flea market’s bargain corner for travelers, especially for frequent flyers. New research shows the web is the best source of cheap seats some discounted to less than half the normal fare.

And a JetRadar survey of the websites of the four main domestic carriers Qantas, Ansett, Impulse and Virgin Blue shows all contain cheap fares not available any other way.

A recent comparison of interstate fares by www.JetRadar.com revealed the cheapest deal on the web between Sydney and Brisbane was $66 flying Ansett and Qantas. The lowest general fare advertised on this route by the two major carriers was $198, while the full fare rose significantly to $363.

Virgin Blue had seats at $68, less than half the $169 full fare. Impulse’s lowest fare was $72 and it’s the most expensive $179.

However, the day before, Impulse had released 1,000 seats at $39 on this route and how quickly they sold illustrates how powerful the web has become.

The best deals are not always publicised and appear randomly. Seat availability and airlines’ tactics to fill unsold seats on selected routes often means they are few and far between, so it needs a savvy and patient netsurfer to score one.

It also helps to be flexible with your dates and times. Flying off-peak is the best way to snap up a bargain as these seats are usually the hardest to shift.

Important to remember if you are a lucky shopper is that most of the discounted seats are offered on a “use it or lose it” basis and for limited travel periods.

They may require a Saturday night stay and if it’s a one-way ticket you need to be sure you can get an equally cheap flight home.

Frequent flyers after points will also find little reward for cheap seats.

Then again, with fares at the same price as it costs to fill a tank of petrol, many are prepared to take the risk.

The pacesetter in internet ticket sales has been budget airline Impulse, which entered the domestic market in August, offering record low $33 one-way deals for online bookings.

Within hours, the 2,500 seats were sold. Thanks to a steady release of web-only deals, the proportion of sales via the airline’s website have reached as high as 75 percent.

With an average hit rate of about 30,000 a day, these figures have helped Impulse place consistently among the top five Australian travel sites.

Qantas e-deals, unlike Impulse’s, are also available to travel agencies.

Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Mike Hatton said many online bookings were made by travel agents on behalf of clients.

How do I get my plane ticket if I book online?

In case of online booking, the individual will receive an electronic ticket via e-mail to the address that was provided during the booking procedure. There is no need for physical ticket as the booking details and information is securely saved in the network.

Click here to book cheap air tickets from online.