When you travel on a plane do you book your own flights online or go through an agent ?
If you book online what site do you prefer for domestic and international flights ? What tips do you have for booking flights in the USA or anywhere else ?
We are looking at traveling a lot next year and would love to know who others go through.
Thanks will check their flights out
Own flights. Why would anyone pay an agent to do what they can do themselves? It's a waste of money! Look at the companies you like the most. Continental, Southern Airlines, etc. You should already know what days you intend to leave and return, so have those dates at hand. Look up the times you have written down with the two or three airline companies you prefer. Rate the pro's and con's of each one including prices, regulations, availability, baggage restrictions, etc. Which airline fits the qualifications you need? Pick that one.
I use the comparison sites first such as Priceline to get an idea of costs. You can plug in your dates arrival & departures, price, car rental, hotel information, etc. at one time. They are pretty quick at posting options and suggetions for travel, including dates surrounding your preferred information. Then, I check the official site of the airline that has the cheapest results to see if the price is better directly from them. Some people I know use internet options where they can name a price at a certain airline and they get back to you when it is available. It pays to research, plan well in advance as the closer to the date - the higher the ticket price on the same flight.
Great question freecampingaussie. My preference is to book domestic air myself (I usually just use the Qantas website to book). For international I almost exclusively use a travel agent unless I am using frequent flyer points. The good thing about agents is if they get it wrong they pay, not you. Also they know all of the tips and traps about booking in areas that we fly less frequently from.
If you are a member of a motoring club (eg AAA, AA, NRMA, RAC, etc) they normally have a travel agent area that give discounts to members as well as special deals. Worth checking out to save money and to get great advice and service. Cheers Michael
I have always used my same travel agent in Australia, even from here in the U.S. He knows what I want and always takes very good care of my needs because he knows I will be back, and that I will also refer my friends and family. I would be lost without him.
We always book our own and search around for the cheapest/best and weigh up the pros and cons. Sometimes we ask our local travel agent what might be the best idea, as they're 'in the know' after all but it's rare to get something from them which is anywhere near as cheap or good as we find ourselves. We go a lot by friends' recommendations too. Hope you find some good deals!
Generally I book online by myself without going through agents. I usually check out the websites of the budget airlines which are having promotions. I also sign up for newsletters to airlines which I like such as Emirates, Cathay Pacific etc so that I will know firsthand if they are any promo flights.
I haven't flown international for 2 decades, however, on domestic I usually try to go through each airlines I travel with to compare prices before deciding. What I look for when traveling in the U.S., besides price, is convenience. If I have a lot of time I will take a flight that has a layover. If I don't I will take a direct flight. The airlines I usually take in the southeast/northeast region is Delta or U.S. Air. Enjoy! Planning is as much fun as going.
I usually book everything on line.flights, hotels ,car rentals , even tours
i want to add that console fares are what travel agents offer thats why fares are cheaper than airline websites like http://www.flightsinternationaluk.co.uk offers cheap console fares.
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