As a general rule, global instability leads to higher prices, and boy, is the world a doozy right now . Airfare hasn’t escaped the tumult: US airfares are up 14.9 percent compared to a year ago, according to NerdWallet , largely due to fuel price spikes linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by blockages, bombs, and blockades. While the medium-term outlook for the airline business isn’t great, there are still a few smart and tricky ways to save a little money when flying this summer. These are tips I've learned from covering transportation for more than a decade, and from conversations with airline industry experts over the past two months. Some are tailor-made to this weird time in history; some are evergreen. For those especially sensitive when spending hard-earned cash right now, all might be worth investigating. Go, Go, Go! Move quickly! Airlines have been warning about big price changes since fuel prices first went up in early March.…