Buying airfare tickets online?

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gloria_brown20

It is the easiest way, my family does it all the time, you don't get the tickets(unless you want them, it cost extra in the mail) you just print the info,pay on line, they give you a confirmation #, it is so simple, when you get to the airport that is no waiting in line for anything, I just got back from Florida a few weeks ago,and all I had was a barcode # and all I had to do was press the bar code to the screen and I was set to go.
Like you the first time I did it, I was leery that it wouldn't work, but it is so safe and easy I wouldn't do it any other way, and you are also able to pick out your seat # for most flights.
I think the tickets are called E-ticketing, just make sure you take the sheet that you print out to the airport with you, because that is where all your info is.

berlingoffer

Use a first class operator. Try Orbitz from the page below.

sicivic05

it is safe you get a conformation number to take to the airport the airline will have you reservations on file very safe to buy ticktes online

Adam

It is safe BUT I have always found cheaper flights from travel agents and I will always trust a person more than a internet site.

old timer

had my 1st experience with online air tix last month...

philly to crescent city, calif and return...

used ORBITZ...

no problem..no sweat...no hassle...and a damn good price...

southrntrnzplnt

Booking online is safe, however you should shop around. Compare the prices you find on travel websites, then go to the airlines website. It is ALWAYS safer to book directly with the airline itself. Be careful using websites like Priceline, Hotwire, Cheaptickets, Lowestfare etc....any site that offers you price before telling you what airline or schedule you are purchasing. Travelocity will offer you a schedule and when you go to pay for it, that schedule or fare may not be available any longer and your credit card is not charged for the fare, but there is still a "usage fee" applied, so beware of that aswell. Dont book with the first site you come to, look around.

Go to the airports website that you are flying out of to know what airlines service that airport. Some airlines called "low cost carriers" like Southwest and Jet Blue do not participate in these travel sites.

Orbitz.com is a good place to start. It is owned by the airlines. Compare the fares and then whoever has the lowest, go to their website and book it. You will save the charge for the booking fees travel sites charge. Plus by booking with the airline directly you will have better schedule options. Consider non-stop if it is available from your city. Saving $30 for a connection isnt a cost savings. Think about what you will spend at that connection airport while waiting for the next flight. More than likely you will get something to eat, maybe a magazine, a drink, something to snack on....etc. Secondly, going non-stop gets you home faster.

Another thing about travel sites like the above mentioned like Priceline etc....these are called bulk consolidator websites. They buy the lowest fares from the airlines which are already highly restricted and then add their own restrictions. Under no circumstances for any reason can the airline make any changes to these tickets. Should you incur a problem..such as booked the wrong day or city pair, such as Jacksonville, FL instead of Jackson, MS....you have to appeal to the website. The airline can not and will not touch these tickets. The reason is because they are sold so "cheaply" that they block the fare structure from us and we can not see the breakdown. So, the only way to make a change is to reprice the fare, which the airline can not obviously do. Also, I have found better deals directly with the airline. People just assume these travel sites are "discounts" when in all actuality they are just traps and con you into believing you are saving money when really you arent.

Travel agents can be helpful...sometimes. Granted it gives you a person to deal with on the phone rather than an automated attendant at first, they too can charge you rediculous fee's AND they are not in their office 24/7. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration because you wont be routed to an overseas call center that stole our jobs, but atleast you'll have a live person during the day. Some travel agencies are bad about not paying before the passenger arrives. Carlson Wagonlit is the worst. Ive even seen American Express travel not post payment before the passenger is checking in and they have missed their flights in order to straighten things out. So, should you choose to use a travel agent, do research and check with the Better Business Bureau.

All US domestic travel is done on E-tickets. NEVER EVER EVER EVER opt for a paper ticket. Some international carriers and destinations still operate on paper tickets. A paper ticket is like money in hand. If you lose it, your up a creek with out a paddle. Make sure when you complete your booking that it is an e-ticket and that there are no boxes selected to receive paper tickets in the mail. All you will need at check in is to know your flights and show your ID. You are welcome to bring a printed copy of your itinerary. Most airlines have online check in. 24 hrs before your flight or less you can check in online on the airlines website. You can still check bags when you arrive at the airport, but you are already checked in and can go right to security should you not need to check anything.

No matter what website you use...ALWAY READ THE FARE RULES. Take a few minutes to read them, that way you know what restrictions are on the ticket so you cant say "I wasnt told" if you need to make changes or miss your flight...etc.

If you would like some help, shoot me an e-mail. I worked for an airline and know the ins and outs to airline travel and will be glad to show you the ropes of internet booking and help you avoid the traps and excessive booking fees.

Good luck!! And internet booking can be safe, if you book with a reputable site.

spudric13

I have used Orbitz with success. I got screwed by travelocity, so I won't suggest them. I have bought the rest of my tickets directly form the airlines. I have saved a bundle this way. WAtch the airlines individually and often (at least once a week) and you can find some great deals. I fly to Japan often and I have never paid over $900, and normally around $600 because of this small amount of extra effort. Buying online is safe. Don't worry.

onyi

http://rhoda.joystar.com/Flights.aspx?AgentID=10008199 I have used this 3 times no problem

First Lady

Yes, it's safe. I've bought from hotwire.com and expedia.com. Tickets are ticketless. They'll give you a confirmation number and all the info. You can also go to the airlines website. I've done this on southwest.com. It's very safe and conveinent.

Zana

I have had mixed experiences. It is legit and most of the time you will be traveling on "e-tickets" so there is no ticket to get. You just print your itinerary and go. When you get to the airport and check-in (which some airlines will now even let you do from home), you will get your boarding passes.

My negative experiences have all been about price. Often you will see a price quoted on a major travel consolidator like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc, and then see it cheaper on the airline's own website or vice versa.

An advantage of travel agents is that they often are aware of fare sales in advance and can sometime even purchase at the lower rate before the sale is made too public - but even there I have still had the experience of finding lower prices online.

My advice is to check around on a lot of sites to become familiar with the prices and then talk to a travel agent.

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