If you don't feel comfortable going directly to buy flights and need a Travel Agent
Ask for a quote saying that you want the best available price by looking at;
- Codeshare airlines that you can get the price cheaper...this means that say Hawaiian airlines is sharing a plane with Virgin airlines where the flight is in a Hawaiian airline plane and operated by Hawaiian airlines but you can get a ticket for cheaper by purchasing a Virgin flight. (and enjoying being in a Hawaiian Airlines plane)
- Varying flight days. Sometimes you can save a lot of money just by flying a day or two earlier or later than your departure date. You can then decide whether the saving is worth your change in itinerary
- Layovers and Flight Times- Are you wanting to save money by flying to another destination en route to your final destination? Some airlines might have a cheaper cost but it will take you longer to get to the final destination. You need to decide whether this is something you can handle or whether it will make you (and your travel party) tired straight up from the outset.
- Airlines- Work out what airlines you are happy to travel with.- You might get a cheap flight on an airline that is renowned for delays in flight times or bad safety records. Know who you are prepared to fly and suggest these airlines to your travel agent (or similar)
Many of the above depends on your age, budget, and sense of adventure!
If you are happy to book flights direct online
- Disable cookies when you search a flight as the more you look up cost the higher the cost will go
- Make sure it is a reputable website
- Consider the options of whether if a flight gets canceled or delayed whether you can get a changed flight/ refund
- Make sure you have travel insurance
- Know that you cannot easily jump on the phone if there is an issue like you can with a travel agent
- The price will be cheaper the further out you book your flight.
- Watch what currency it is quoted in and what the delays are in between flights.
- Make sure you triple check dates/ destinations and names on tickets. No changes in most cases once you have booked OR you will be charged to change details.
Frequent Flyer flights ( I will do a blog just on ways to get points soon)
- There are many ways you can accumulate points to get free (you pay taxes which on international flights can be $1000+)
- Look at the way you shop, use credit cards etc to see how you can get points.
- You can either book via someone from the airline who will book for you but charge you in either points or cash OR you can book direct yourself. Make sure you triple check dates/ destinations and names on tickets. No changes in most cases once you have booked OR you will be charged to change details.
