How to Book Flights Online
By Kent Ninomiya
It is cheap and easy to book flights online. In fact, airlines often charge more when passengers book flights through operators on their toll-free lines or at ticket counters because it costs airlines more money. Booking flights online has the added benefit of allowing you to compare the ticket prices of many airlines and flights in just a few seconds with little effort. You can also book your golf packages, hotel and rental car online while you are booking your flights online.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Go to a large travel website such as Orbitz, Travelocity or Priceline. These allow you to sample a wide variety of airlines and fares. You can try all three, but they tend to offer similar deals. They also offer vacation packages including rounds of golf on popular courses. Search for flights online independently or as part of a golf package deal.
Click on "flight only" if you are just comparing airline ticket prices. If you click on anything else you will be given quotes for other travel services ranging from hotels to rental cars to golf vacation packages. Even if you plan to add those things to your trip, don't search for them yet. Concentrate first on getting the best price for an airplane ticket.
Enter your departure airport, destination airport and dates of travel. If you are flexible with the airports or travel dates, select the appropriate options. If you must travel at a particular time of the day, enter those times.
Click the "search" or "enter" button to find rates. You will be presented with a variety of options for different airlines, times and prices. Sort the results based on what is the most important to you. Take note of the number of connecting flights, whether you need to change airports and whether the connecting flights are on the same day. These are factors that can disqualify a flight from consideration.
Take note of all the flights that suit your needs. Visit the airline's website and compare the rates for the same flights. The airline websites often offer better prices because they pay a fee to the travel agency website for bringing them business. When you book a ticket directly with an airline, it passes the savings on to you.
Pay attention to the type of fare you are purchasing. Many tickets are nonrefundable and nonchangeable. Be sure you can commit to the flight plan and times before booking the ticket.
Click the "book it" or "buy it" button. The website will ask for your personal details, e-mail address and credit card information. You can also select your seats, enter your frequent-flier number and request special meals at this time.
About The Author
Kent Ninomiya has 23 years' experience as a TV news anchor, reporter and managing editor. He traveled to more than 100 countries on all seven continents, including Antarctica. He holds black belts in three martial arts, and writes extensively on health and fitness issues. Ninomiya has a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from the University of California at Berkeley.
