How to Purchase an Airline Ticket
By Aaron Wein
Planning that next trip to Myrtle Beach or setting up a vacation to watch your favorite pros compete in a live PGA Tour event? With everything now available online, organizing a golf vacation has never been easier. Purchasing tickets is made simpler by Web sites that compile ticket prices to help travelers find the cheapest ticket to their destination. Or, if you want to save time, choose your desired airline and buy tickets off their Web site. Follow these ticket purchasing steps to get you that much closer to enjoying your vacation on the fairways.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Choose the airport from which you'd like to depart on your trip and note which airlines are available. Major airports will fly almost anywhere in the world while smaller airports are more restrictive.
Search for tickets to your desired destination either on a specific airline's Web site or on an all-encompassing airline ticket hub, such as Travelocity or Orbitz to compare prices. Some of these Web sites even bundle hotel and ticket prices.
Decide which airline you should use. Keep in mind that airlines may charge extra fees for luggage, such as a golf bag or cart. For example, American Airlines charges $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second and then $100 for a third, according to their Web site. Airlines don't charge for carry-on luggage, so keep that in the equation when quantifying travel costs.
Purchase the tickets you've chosen online using a credit or debit card. Note that most airlines use e-tickets rather than paper tickets. An e-ticket automatically sends your information to the airline, making check-in simpler and removing the stress of remembering your ticket.
Present your airline carrier your photo ID at check-in at the airport to receive your boarding pass. Some airlines have kiosks set up at the airport that print your boarding passes. All that's required for these kiosks is the credit card used to purchase the tickets. Exact processes can differ from airline to airline so pay attention your airline's check-in process when purchasing tickets online.
About The Author
Aaron Wein has been a professional writer since 2004, focusing on sports journalism. He obtained a degree in journalism from Western Washington University in 2008. He's written and edited for Northwest Washington based publications, such as the "Bellingham Herald," "Western Athletics," "GNAC Sports" and Next Season Sports.
