Difference between revisions of "Book an Airline Ticket"
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#Decide where you are going. Depending on your trip, you may have some flexibility in terms of your exact location. Do some research to find the perfect destination for you. | #Decide where you are going. Depending on your trip, you may have some flexibility in terms of your exact location. Do some research to find the perfect destination for you. | ||
#* For example, if you want to visit the Caribbean, there are over 28 island nations and 7000 individual islands to choose from. | #* For example, if you want to visit the Caribbean, there are over 28 island nations and 7000 individual islands to choose from. | ||
| − | #* If your destination is fixed, you may still be able to research secondary airports. For example, if you are visiting your relatives in San Francisco, you could also look at flying into the nearby Oakland Airport.<ref>http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/seven-mistakes-to-avoid-when-booking-a-flight</ref> | + | #* If your destination is fixed, you may still be able to research secondary airports. For example, if you are visiting your relatives in San Francisco, you could also look at flying into the nearby Oakland Airport.<ref name="rf1">http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/seven-mistakes-to-avoid-when-booking-a-flight</ref> |
| − | #Decide when you are going. With your fellow travellers, decide when you are going on your trip and for how long. The more flexible you are with your dates, the easier it will be to find a deal.<ref>http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/ticket-tips</ref> | + | #Decide when you are going. With your fellow travellers, decide when you are going on your trip and for how long. The more flexible you are with your dates, the easier it will be to find a deal.<ref name="rf2">http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/ticket-tips</ref> |
| − | #* If your dates are not flexible or if your trip is coming up very soon, it’s best to book as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are flying during a popular period, like Thanksgiving.<ref>http://thriftynomads.com/booking-cheapest-flight-possible-anywhere/</ref> | + | #* If your dates are not flexible or if your trip is coming up very soon, it’s best to book as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are flying during a popular period, like Thanksgiving.<ref name="rf3">http://thriftynomads.com/booking-cheapest-flight-possible-anywhere/</ref> |
#Check if you need visas or vaccinations. Some international destinations will require visitors to have special visas to come to their country or get vaccinations ahead of time. Include this in your research so you have time to make arrangements, apply for any visas and schedule travel vaccination appointments. | #Check if you need visas or vaccinations. Some international destinations will require visitors to have special visas to come to their country or get vaccinations ahead of time. Include this in your research so you have time to make arrangements, apply for any visas and schedule travel vaccination appointments. | ||
#* For the most up to date information, visit your country's travel advisory such as www.travel.gc.ca for Canadians or www.travel.state.gov for Americans. | #* For the most up to date information, visit your country's travel advisory such as www.travel.gc.ca for Canadians or www.travel.state.gov for Americans. | ||
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===Booking an Airline Ticket Online=== | ===Booking an Airline Ticket Online=== | ||
| − | #Look for flights in advance. The best time to book a domestic flight is between 112 and 21 days before you depart to secure the lowest fare. 54 days before is considered the perfect time. However, even booking 54 days before your trip is not guaranteed to get you the lowest fare.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/best-day-to-book-plane-ticket_us_56cf1648e4b03260bf759b79</ref> | + | #Look for flights in advance. The best time to book a domestic flight is between 112 and 21 days before you depart to secure the lowest fare. 54 days before is considered the perfect time. However, even booking 54 days before your trip is not guaranteed to get you the lowest fare.<ref name="rf4">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/best-day-to-book-plane-ticket_us_56cf1648e4b03260bf759b79</ref> |
| − | #* If you are booking an international plane ticket, you should book as far in advance as possible, especially if your destination is smaller or only has one nearby airport.<ref | + | #* If you are booking an international plane ticket, you should book as far in advance as possible, especially if your destination is smaller or only has one nearby airport.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #* If you are flying to a popular destination during a popular time, such as Florida during Spring Break, you should book as far in advance as possible. Because this flight is popular, it is unlikely that the fare will be lowered.<ref | + | #* If you are flying to a popular destination during a popular time, such as Florida during Spring Break, you should book as far in advance as possible. Because this flight is popular, it is unlikely that the fare will be lowered.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Check airfare deal websites. Before booking, scan an airfare deal website, like Airfare Watch Dog, for sales. This is especially helpful if your destination or trip dates are flexible so you can take advantage of any deals. | #Check airfare deal websites. Before booking, scan an airfare deal website, like Airfare Watch Dog, for sales. This is especially helpful if your destination or trip dates are flexible so you can take advantage of any deals. | ||
#*Airlines sometimes share sales with their customers through their websites or newsletters. You can subscribe to the newsletters of your top airlines or visit their sites to search for deals. | #*Airlines sometimes share sales with their customers through their websites or newsletters. You can subscribe to the newsletters of your top airlines or visit their sites to search for deals. | ||
| − | #Enter your trip details on an aggregator site. Visit an aggregator website that searches multiple airlines, like SkyScanner, Momondo or GoogleFlights, and enter your trip information. The website will be able to show you lots of flight options for your requested destination and dates that you can sort by price, airline or length of trip.<ref>http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/booking-a-cheap-airfare-online/</ref> | + | #Enter your trip details on an aggregator site. Visit an aggregator website that searches multiple airlines, like SkyScanner, Momondo or GoogleFlights, and enter your trip information. The website will be able to show you lots of flight options for your requested destination and dates that you can sort by price, airline or length of trip.<ref name="rf5">http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/booking-a-cheap-airfare-online/</ref> |
#* Many aggregator sites will allow you to enter multiple destinations and search flights on multiple dates. This will help you find the best deal if your trip is flexible. | #* Many aggregator sites will allow you to enter multiple destinations and search flights on multiple dates. This will help you find the best deal if your trip is flexible. | ||
| − | #* If you have time, check a few aggregator websites. Some sites may advertise different prices so it’s good to check around and ensure you’re getting the best deal.<ref | + | #* If you have time, check a few aggregator websites. Some sites may advertise different prices so it’s good to check around and ensure you’re getting the best deal.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Choose how many stops you want to make. Many flights, especially to far away locations, will require you to make stopovers at airports along the way. Sometimes these will involve changing planes and going through security again. As you look at flights, remember to keep in mind how many stops you are comfortable making. Also check how long and what time of day the stops are. | #Choose how many stops you want to make. Many flights, especially to far away locations, will require you to make stopovers at airports along the way. Sometimes these will involve changing planes and going through security again. As you look at flights, remember to keep in mind how many stops you are comfortable making. Also check how long and what time of day the stops are. | ||
#* You may be able to find a cheaper flight if you're comfortable adding an extra stopover. However, it's important to take into account if the length and time of the stopover is worth the money you will save. | #* You may be able to find a cheaper flight if you're comfortable adding an extra stopover. However, it's important to take into account if the length and time of the stopover is worth the money you will save. | ||
| − | #Click through to the airline’s website. Once you have found the best trip, select it on the aggregator ste and move to the airline’s direct website to book your tickets. Some aggregators allow you to book the ticket through their website, but there may be an additional service fee.<ref | + | #Click through to the airline’s website. Once you have found the best trip, select it on the aggregator ste and move to the airline’s direct website to book your tickets. Some aggregators allow you to book the ticket through their website, but there may be an additional service fee.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Choose your seat. Many airlines will allow you to choose your seat at your time of booking. Ensure you choose seats for all of the passengers that you're booking airline tickets for. You can select to sit together, if there is space for your party, and whether you want an aisle, window or middle seat. You may also be able to select seat upgrades, like extra legroom, for an additional cost. | #Choose your seat. Many airlines will allow you to choose your seat at your time of booking. Ensure you choose seats for all of the passengers that you're booking airline tickets for. You can select to sit together, if there is space for your party, and whether you want an aisle, window or middle seat. You may also be able to select seat upgrades, like extra legroom, for an additional cost. | ||
#* If you're airline does not allow you to select your seat at the time of booking, you may be able to do it when you check in. If you have a specific seat preference or need to sit with your travel companions, for example if you're traveling with a child, call your airline to see how you can make arrangements ahead of time. | #* If you're airline does not allow you to select your seat at the time of booking, you may be able to do it when you check in. If you have a specific seat preference or need to sit with your travel companions, for example if you're traveling with a child, call your airline to see how you can make arrangements ahead of time. | ||
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===Booking an Airline Ticket with a Travel Agent=== | ===Booking an Airline Ticket with a Travel Agent=== | ||
#Collect all of your trip information. From your research, establish your trip destination and dates, even if these are flexible. Also make sure you have your payment information and the personal information for yourself and your fellow travellers on hand. For example, you may need to know all of the travellers’ birthdates and passport numbers. | #Collect all of your trip information. From your research, establish your trip destination and dates, even if these are flexible. Also make sure you have your payment information and the personal information for yourself and your fellow travellers on hand. For example, you may need to know all of the travellers’ birthdates and passport numbers. | ||
| − | #Find a reputable travel agent. Ask your friends and family for recommendations if you haven’t worked with a travel agent before. If you can’t get a personal recommendation, search online for a travel agency with good reviews.<ref | + | #Find a reputable travel agent. Ask your friends and family for recommendations if you haven’t worked with a travel agent before. If you can’t get a personal recommendation, search online for a travel agency with good reviews.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Meet with your travel agent in person or over the phone. Depending on the travel agency, you may be able to go in-person or you may work with someone over the phone. Ensure your travel agent is knowledgeable, friendly and service-oriented. They should be able to answer all of your questions and have experience booking similar trips to the one you want to go on. | #Meet with your travel agent in person or over the phone. Depending on the travel agency, you may be able to go in-person or you may work with someone over the phone. Ensure your travel agent is knowledgeable, friendly and service-oriented. They should be able to answer all of your questions and have experience booking similar trips to the one you want to go on. | ||
#Give your travel agent your trip information. Provide your travel agent with the destination and dates of your trip. If you are flexible with nearby destinations, multiple stopovers or similar dates, ensure you tell your travel agent that information. | #Give your travel agent your trip information. Provide your travel agent with the destination and dates of your trip. If you are flexible with nearby destinations, multiple stopovers or similar dates, ensure you tell your travel agent that information. | ||
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== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
| − | *No one can 100% accurately predict when a flight is going to go on sale. While it might be tempting to wait for a flight sale, you should book as early as possible if your destination and dates are fixed. Waiting until the last minute will cost you more.<ref | + | *No one can 100% accurately predict when a flight is going to go on sale. While it might be tempting to wait for a flight sale, you should book as early as possible if your destination and dates are fixed. Waiting until the last minute will cost you more.<ref name="rf5" /> |
*Make sure to consider layover times when choosing your flight. Sometimes, cheaper flights involve long layovers at airports that may be difficult if you’re travelling with a child or elderly person. | *Make sure to consider layover times when choosing your flight. Sometimes, cheaper flights involve long layovers at airports that may be difficult if you’re travelling with a child or elderly person. | ||
*If you prefer to work with a travel agent, try to do some research online beforehand. It’s best to get an idea of how much flights to your destination cost to make sure your travel agent is getting you the best deal. | *If you prefer to work with a travel agent, try to do some research online beforehand. It’s best to get an idea of how much flights to your destination cost to make sure your travel agent is getting you the best deal. | ||
