How to get airline tickets

[bigmac5]

It just hit me. I don't know how I get my tickets. I have always booked with a travel agent but this time I booked on line with Disney. We will be flying Delta out of Detroit (I live in Ontario)

Please help

 

[cmwade77]

Chances are these were issued as eTickets when you purchased them, so the confirmation number should be in your email. You will need the confirmation number and last name to check in online at Delta.com up to 24 hours ahead, during the checkin process you will print your boarding pass.

If you haven't purchased, I recommend looking at Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, etc. to find the lowest price, then buy directly on Delta.com (if it's the same price), if the price is lower, buy over the phone and let them know where you found the lower price.

 

[MacDalt]

Chances are these were issued as eTickets when you purchased them, so the confirmation number should be in your email. You will need the confirmation number and last name to check in online at Delta.com up to 24 hours ahead, during the checkin process you will print your boarding pass.

If you haven't purchased, I recommend looking at Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, etc. to find the lowest price, then buy directly on Delta.com (if it's the same price), if the price is lower, buy over the phone and let them know where you found the lower price.

Just curious as to why you let them know?

 

[bigmac5]

I just bought the tickets with the disney package and have only put a down payment so still owe--so probably once I have paid in full I will hear from them

 

[cmwade77]

Just curious as to why you let them know?

Because like most airlines, Delta guarantees their website prices to eb the lowest advertised price, so if others prices are lower, they match the price.

 

[cmwade77]

I just bought the tickets with the disney package and have only put a down payment so still owe--so probably once I have paid in full I will hear from them

I see, I have never bought them through Disney, as they are usually twice as expensive as buying on my own.

Additionally many airlines are now offering benefits if your purchase directly from them instead of through travel sites. Delta is not yet one of these airlines, but it's good to know fo future reference.

 

[amomma23]

We haven't bought our airfare with a Disney package since 2010, so things may have changed. Anyway, I just called and asked for the airline confirmation number so that I could choose seats on Airtran. They did not give it to me in any other documentation. When we checked our bags at the airline counter, I just gave my name and ID and they pulled up the reservation, no problem.

 

[MacDalt]

Because like most airlines, Delta guarantees their website prices to eb the lowest advertised price, so if others prices are lower, they match the price.

Good to know. Thank you!

 

[DebbieB]

Because like most airlines, Delta guarantees their website prices to eb the lowest advertised price, so if others prices are lower, they match the price.

I've tried to buy tickets through websites (Expedia, Orbitz) a couple times when they had a lower price than than the airline's website. Problem was when I got to the final screen, a message came up that the price was no longer available and the actual price was the same as the airlines. So how do you prove the website's price was lower if you didn't actually buy?

 

[Greysword]

It is an eTicket, so you'll simply need to show up at the airport to get your boarding pass. Very rarely are paper tickets issued, anymore. Even if you don't have your info, the Delta check-in kiosks at the airport will allow you to type in your name and destination, or (as I do) swipe a credit card (any card) to get the name info from it.

Now to derail the topic a bit, with Delta you will want to watch your seats like a hawk. No stress, just vigilance. This is because Delta tends to do a lot of aircraft swapping, and the computer system reassigns everyone. As such, you'll need to watch your seats to be sure your party remains together.

As mentioned, get the confirmation number from Disney Travel. Then, go to Delta's website, click on My Trips and enter the info requested. You will be able to choose your seats, in case you want to try and get closer to the front or sit in a certain row. Then periodically (usually I check twice per month until 30 days out, then weekly til one week out, then daily) check to be sure your seat assignments are the same. If not, just reassign them yourself online.

Sometimes we get mad at this, but the system is working as intended, which is to reassign seats during travel instead of pre-travel, to be sure everyone gets to their destination on time. In essence, no worries. if you have a concern, call Delta. Their agents provide good customer service. If you would like to understand what is going on, just post on here and we can provide insight and tips.

One last thing, normally I would suggest opening a SkyMiles account, but Delta has a recent policy to limit the amount of frequent flier rewards from third party (travel agency) booking, since the agencies receive a commission (another good reason to book directly with the airline). However, you can open a SkyMiles account and add your confirmation to make the period checking easier.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[bigmac5]

I printed off what disney was offering and took it to our travel agent and to CAA and both said they couldn't get any lower. We usually drive to Disney so flying will be very different for us

 

[bigmac5]

.

Now to derail the topic a bit, with Delta you will want to watch your seats like a hawk. No stress, just vigilance. This is because Delta tends to do a lot of aircraft swapping, and the computer system reassigns everyone. As such, you'll need to watch your seats to be sure your party remains together.

As mentioned, get the confirmation number from Disney Travel. Then, go to Delta's website, click on My Trips and enter the info requested. You will be able to choose your seats, in case you want to try and get closer to the front or sit in a certain row. Then periodically (usually I check twice per month until 30 days out, then weekly til one week out, then daily) check to be sure your seat assignments are the same. If not, just reassign them yourself online.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you so much for this help. I will do that.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I see, I have never bought them through Disney, as they are usually twice as expensive as buying on my own.

Additionally many airlines are now offering benefits if your purchase directly from them instead of through travel sites. Delta is not yet one of these airlines, but it's good to know fo future reference.

What benefits?

 

[cmwade77]

What benefits?

They range, some airlines are charging for carryons, unless you book direct. Others are offering a free checked bag if you book direct. Some are saying that if you booked direct drinks and snacks are free, but if you don't you have to pay.

AirTran in particular is apparently one of the worst, if you don't book on their website (even calling causes some of these to happen), you have to pay for:
All carryons, including personal items
Use of the entertainment sytem or in flight movie, even if you have your own headphones. (Not sure if this is true for all flights or just one that I heard about)
Seat assignments (Required if you are flying with kids and if they change something and your seats are not what you want, you have to pay again)
Drinks (including soft drinks and water)

Like I said, Delta has gotten into this racket yet, but I am sure they are trying to figure out how to do so.

Booking and checking in on their website avoids these fees.

 

[cmwade77]

I printed off what disney was offering and took it to our travel agent and to CAA and both said they couldn't get any lower. We usually drive to Disney so flying will be very different for us

Yeah, but you can still usually get even cheaper by going to Delta.com and book direct. I only use a TA that specializes in Disney to book Disney vacations and cruises, so that I have the perks of using one, such as letting them boom dining reservations for me at what amounts to an insane hour on the west coast or for the onboard credit that most offer for cruises.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've tried to buy tickets through websites (Expedia, Orbitz) a couple times when they had a lower price than than the airline's website. Problem was when I got to the final screen, a message came up that the price was no longer available and the actual price was the same as the airlines. So how do you prove the website's price was lower if you didn't actually buy?

took the words right out of my mouth!! I have always been able to find a nice low fare on Expedia or Orbitz. But when I get to that final page? Yeah, not available anymore!!! I have never found an actual fare that was bookable for less than what I would pay directly on the airlines official site.
I always book my own airfare now. Yes, it was scary when I first started doing it. I figured there had to be some big deal about it and I wasn't a travel agent with that knowledge. Nope, easy peasy!!! I have never, ever had an issue.

When booking with Delta? Be sure to check your flights weekly. When you get to about a month out, check daily!!! Delta is awful about changing planes or flights.
I now pretty much just fly Jetblue. They seem to have exactly what I need.
I don't feel the need to use a TA in order to get any perks, of any kind. Anything a TA can get, I can get. The only times I have used a TA was when I was working and didn't have a computer nearby...wanted to be able to jump on any special deals as soon as they came out. But that was about 12 years ago!!! I do it all myself now.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They range, some airlines are charging for carryons, unless you book direct. Others are offering a free checked bag if you book direct. Some are saying that if you booked direct drinks and snacks are free, but if you don't you have to pay.

AirTran in particular is apparently one of the worst, if you don't book on their website (even calling causes some of these to happen), you have to pay for:
All carryons, including personal items
Use of the entertainment sytem or in flight movie, even if you have your own headphones. (Not sure if this is true for all flights or just one that I heard about)
Seat assignments (Required if you are flying with kids and if they change something and your seats are not what you want, you have to pay again)
Drinks (including soft drinks and water)

Like I said, Delta has gotten into this racket yet, but I am sure they are trying to figure out how to do so.

Booking and checking in on their website avoids these fees.

Are you sure you mean AirTran and not Spirit or Allegiant? AirTran definitely doesn't charge for carry-ons and never has, as far as I recall. Even Spirit doesn't charge for the personal item. I just checked Allegiant; they don't, either. Doesn't matter how you book.

Regarding the perks for booking directly with the airline? Could you give some specific examples? I couldn't find anything ?

 

[cmwade77]

Are you sure you mean AirTran and not Spirit or Allegiant? AirTran definitely doesn't charge for carry-ons and never has, as far as I recall. Even Spirit doesn't charge for the personal item. I just checked Allegiant; they don't, either. Doesn't matter how you book.

Regarding the perks for booking directly with the airline? Could you give some specific examples? I couldn't find anything ?

Not sure if AirTran does it on all flights or has fully implemented it yet, but they are going to (I am 90% sure that it is AirTran). And booking direct bypasses these fees on the airlines that are charging these fees, that's the benefit, a few are offering free pillows or blankets when you book direct (yes, almost all airlines charge for these now). Frontier is another one that is doing this. More airlines have said they are going to by the end of the year. Bottom line is they are tired of paying the commission to other companies.

 

[kaytieeldr]

AirTran isn't going to do anything except disappear - after the integration with Southwest is completed. Are you positive you're you're not confusing that airline with ultra low cost Spirit? Or combination charter/commercial Allegiant?

Chart of luggage fees: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801089/airline-baggage-fees-chart-updated/
Chart of general fees: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801087/airline-fee-chart/

 

[ironz]

Frontier is the one that is adding some changes to the fees, including adding a fee for a carryon bag and for inflight drinks (soda, juice)....however, those fees apply only to people who buy their Frontier tickets through 3rd party websites. If you book directly on Frontier (flyfrontier dot com), you do not pay fees for a carryon or inflight non alcoholic beverages. I have always enjoyed the flights I take on Frontier, and they are wonderful if you ever have to fly with a bike (lowest fee--sometimes no fee).

Basically, they are encouraging people to go to their website, and not to the 3rd party booking engines.

I can't comment on any Airtran fees, as I don't fly them. And Spirit is well known (or should be) for the numerous fees.

Editing to add....I always book directly with any airline I fly. I don't want to have to deal with a 3rd party if changes need to be made on my part, or if changes by the airline affect my travel.