Buying airline tickets online

[RED23]

I am planning a trip for October and was checking out airfare.

I got a good price from Delta Song NY to MCO.

I have never purchased tickets myself. I have always gone through a TA.

Is there anything I should know before I book online?

Is it safe to book this far ahead online?

Thanks for any info.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

If it is a good price - go for it. I usually buy our tickets 6 months in advance or more when I catch a great price. Even if the price goes down, you can get a travel voucher towards your next flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always used a TA also. I was scared to death when I had to hit that 'continue' button. But, that's the only way I buy my airfare now. If I have any issues, I just call them directly and they have always been very helpful in person. I have used only Song to date. Go ahead....take a deep breath and hit that 'continue' button!! It's very safe and easy to do.

 

[alecam]

I bought my last trip's tickets online through SONG, and it was perfect.
They send you e-tickets that you can print. You can also check in on-line 24 hours or less before your flight and print your boarding passed. You can check your baggage curbside and head straight for the plane (security first), and off you go.

 

[poohbear2]

Buying them online is the only way I buy my tickets now. You should join the Delta skymiles so you can start collecting miles as soon as you make your first purchase. The only thing I can say that might be a negative with buying tickets far in advance is that your schedule might change a little. Usually its only a 15 minute or so change. One year Delta had changed our plane (from a mid size plane to one of those little 30 seaters). I called to "complain" because my mom didn't want to ride the small seater. They happily switched my reservation to a similiar flight of my choice with no extra charge.

 

[The Great Baboo]

I usually book our tix online, too...Delta Song seems to have the best deals from our location....I didn't realize if the airfare we booked at went down, you could get a travel voucher for the difference.....anybody know how that works??? What do you do, just keep checking the flight and see if the price dropped???

Thanks!

 

[Caropooh]

I usually book our tix online, too...Delta Song seems to have the best deals from our location....I didn't realize if the airfare we booked at went down, you could get a travel voucher for the difference.....anybody know how that works??? What do you do, just keep checking the flight and see if the price dropped???

Thanks!

I know that on United(I work for them) that if the price goes down for the EXACT SAME flights through reservations(on the phone) if you call us, we will issue a voucher for the difference between what you paid and what the price is now. There would be no service charge to do this.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I agree about being sure to have a SkyMiles account as that will allow you to get into your itinerary any time you wish; plus you earn milage credit, tho this can be tricky to redeem.

Now, if your flight does drop in price, remember that on Song there is a $25 per ticket change fee, so the flights had better go down more than $25 to make it worth it. We bought our Columbus Day weekend tix last Sunday, and on Monday they went on sale for $20 less ('doh! ); but I console myself that they were the exact flights we wanted at the exact times we wanted, and these particular flights were getting pretty full, so no biggie.

As for a long term strategy for ticket buying, I have an idea in my head about what I would be willing to pay for peak and non-peak times. I check our preferred flights once a week or more (all of 5 mins work) and when I see a price that falls into the reasonable or bargain ranges, I call my DW and we usually buy then. I also check to see how full my preferred flights are; if they are filling quickly, I run the risk of the price rising quickly; if they are filling slowly, there is greater likelihood of sale fares in my future (if at a non-peak time - school vacation almost never goes on sale).

So welcome to the wonderful world of being your own travel agent. Good luck!

 

[fun & fancy free]

We book online as well. I watch the prices from LGA to MCO and the minute I see them at a great price I jump on them. I just booked for our second trip w/Song $135 rt/ns. even if the prices changed slightly(which I doubt) I would not be upset. This is a great price $67.50 each way if you break it down and that's with tax. I say go for it. It is only natural to be alittle uncomfortable. After all we are so used to dealing with people but, things are a changing. Good luck!

 

[ladydancer]

I too purchase tix online. Just go slow and easy and check to make sure everything is right before continuing.

I have notice with some airlines that on the week-ends or holidays they raise the price then it goes back down on week-days. I am assuming perhaps they have a high volume of people buying there tix on the week-ends? Seemed rather odd when I first noticed but now I know not to buy my tix on the week-end.

 

[dudspizza]

I fly Sun Country out of Minneapolis-St Paul. I bought my tickets over the phone last year and was only given a confirmation number to reference. I used the confirmation number to check in online 24 hours before my flight.

I booked online this year and liked it much better. I was able to print a receipt and itinerary. I can go back and check on my ressie whenever I want. I like the confort of being able to check it without being on hold for half an hour with SC.

Go for it.

duds

 

[DMOMof3]

I buy Song online too, you can even pick your seat from the chart

 

[dvc guy]

Just bought tickets for Christmas from Song, and am getting ready to head out to Florida on Song Thursday
Flight times may change, but the good news is that SONG only flys 1 type of aircraft 757, so chances are real good once you pick seats they will not change.
On line is a great way to go take the plunge

 

[RED23]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I just purchased tickets online from Song for NY-LGA to MCO for $135.40 round trip. I thought that this was a great price since we will be flying back on Columbus Day weekend.

Now the rest of the planning can begin.

Thanks again.

 

[Beast fan]

I've been buying airline tickets online for about 6 years. I love it! It's so easy, and never any problems at the airport.

Dave

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

WOW RED23 That's great! WE are looking to go around that time and will be flying out of LGA also. Do you mind me asking when you are going? I got a good fare for my dd's passover/spring break last week in April, and we were considering getting AP's if we go back again in October or November. If I can snag that airfare, it's a done deal!

 

[RED23]

We are going Sat Oct 1st to Sun Oct 9th.

 

[mommykds]

I am going out of LGA the same time in October & now the airfare is $155.40.
Is that still a good price? (Not sure..we have always drove to WDW from NY)

 

[fun & fancy free]

mommykds, I like to look at it as $77.70 each way. When you put it that way it sounds like a great deal. I would have booked it too. The lowest I have seen out of LGA to MCO $67.70 w/Delta Song. Well you know I jumped on that. It was for the times and dates we wanted.