Airlines are offering their best discounted airfares to customers who purchase over the Internet � and they are not publicising the deals.

An examination of the websites of the four main domestic carriers, Qantas, Ansett, Impulse and Virgin Blue, by leading consumer information provider InfoChoice.com.au has revealed that all now contain cheap fares not available through any other channel.

Often these low fares are not part of any formal promotion by the airline and in many cases are not advertised.

Travellers booking their airfares over the internet can currently buy a one-way ticket between Sydney and Melbourne on either Qantas or Ansett for $66. Yet this fare is not promoted outside their websites and the best fare available booking over the phone on the airlines' reservations line is $191.40.

Visitors to Virgin Blue's website can also find cheaper deals than the airline's lowest published fares. FlightChoice has found a $98 one-way fare available between Melbourne and Brisbane when the best quoted fare from the airline is $139.

Infochoice's travel website FlightChoice.com.au now displays these internet fares where available - the only site to offer full independent comparison of the best discount domestic fares on offer.

FlightChoice tables also show the cheapest fares for general purchase via phone direct to the airline or through a travel agent, as well as the full economy fare.

More information: Cassandra Emery FlightChoice Manager InfoChoice Ltd 02 9247 6788 040 331 6534 cassandra.emery@infochoice.com.au