How to get airline tickets

[goofy4tink]

Long story short? Book directly with the airline. No one is going to get you a cheaper flight. No one. Be sure to read all the policies for that airline. Know what you are getting for your money. When you buy air through a third party? They own that reservation until you get to the gated...pretty much. There is no way I'm booking airfare through a third party. I want control in case there is an issue.

 

[MacDalt]

Long story short? Book directly with the airline. No one is going to get you a cheaper flight. No one. Be sure to read all the policies for that airline. Know what you are getting for your money. When you buy air through a third party? They own that reservation until you get to the gated...pretty much. There is no way I'm booking airfare through a third party. I want control in case there is an issue.

That's not true. I can book an AirTran flight on SW for $133. That SAME flight booked on AirTran website is $148. I have to pay more for the opportunity to BUY seats. Booking thru SW is cheaper but I have to take my chances at 24 hour check in. Plus I can use Coke rewards on SW bringing it to $123. Will AirTran match that price?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That's not true. I can book an AirTran flight on SW for $133. That SAME flight booked on AirTran website is $148. I have to pay more for the opportunity to BUY seats. Booking thru SW is cheaper but I have to take my chances at 24 hour check in. Plus I can use Coke rewards on SW bringing it to $123. Will AirTran match that price?

This is a bit different because of the integration with Airtrain and SW. I would say its an abnormality as they start to prepare integration.

 

[shyjade]

That's not true. I can book an AirTran flight on SW for $133. That SAME flight booked on AirTran website is $148. I have to pay more for the opportunity to BUY seats. Booking thru SW is cheaper but I have to take my chances at 24 hour check in. Plus I can use Coke rewards on SW bringing it to $123. Will AirTran match that price?

Don't forget....no luggage fees (2 free bags) when you book thru SW so that's even more savings.

 

[MacDalt]

Don't forget....no luggage fees (2 free bags) when you book thru SW so that's even more savings.

We only have carry on so that doesn't factor in for us

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's not true. I can book an AirTran flight on SW for $133. That SAME flight booked on AirTran website is $148. I have to pay more for the opportunity to BUY seats. Booking thru SW is cheaper but I have to take my chances at 24 hour check in. Plus I can use Coke rewards on SW bringing it to $123. Will AirTran match that price?

Not comparable. You're still buying the airfare through the airline.

 

[MacDalt]

Not comparable. You're still buying the airfare through the airline.

You mean rather than someplace like Travelocity or Priceline?

 

[Greysword]

What benefits?

Well, you are may request a pair of plastic airline wings after boarding from the flight attendant and you are entitled to a smile from the gate agent during irrops (one smile per itinerary, some restrictions apply).

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)

These seem to be restrictions more than benefits.

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

Delta does not permit credit toward frequent traveler programs for certain tickets book through third party sources (online websites, travel agencies, etc). While not as important to many WDW visitors, this is critical for those who wish to attain airline status or build their airline mile pool. Plus, Delta is snubbing some of the tickets booked on their airline partners, too, even those in the same alliance. As such, DL is in it, too, just catered toward their primary customer base.

That's not true. I can book an AirTran flight on SW for $133. That SAME flight booked on AirTran website is $148. I have to pay more for the opportunity to BUY seats. Booking thru SW is cheaper but I have to take my chances at 24 hour check in. Plus I can use Coke rewards on SW bringing it to $123. Will AirTran match that price?

Since they are merging, it is basically the same airline. The comments on here relate to travel agencies (whether neighborhood offices, Disney Travel, or online websites like Trevlocity, Priceline, and Expedia).

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

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!

Thanks so much for this great step by step. This answered everything I wondered about buying Delta airfare from Disney with my package and getting seats together. Is the process for American Airlines similar? Going to go with whoever is cheaper at that time.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

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.

I think you are confused. I travel a lot and frequent travel boards and have never heard of an airline doing the things you have posted (free drinks if you book direct, paying for carry-on if you don't, etc.). Have you ever really purchased an airline ticket?

It's not helpful to make such vague posts stating things you have "heard." Concrete examples with links to the source would be helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think you are confused. I travel a lot and frequent travel boards and have never heard of an airline doing the things you have posted (free drinks if you book direct, paying for carry-on if you don't, etc.). Have you ever really purchased an airline ticket?

It's not helpful to make such vague posts stating things you have "heard." Concrete examples with links to the source would be helpful.

A lot of research (which, despite requests for specific information, that poster never provided) along with Greysword, finally showed that one single airline - Frontier - is charging passengers who book through third parties for a few additional items (like drinks and overhead luggage) that direct-booking passengers get free.

ONE low-cost carrier. Not the multiple airlines that poster claims.

 

[ironz]

I think you are confused. I travel a lot and frequent travel boards and have never heard of an airline doing the things you have posted (free drinks if you book direct, paying for carry-on if you don't, etc.). Have you ever really purchased an airline ticket?

It's not helpful to make such vague posts stating things you have "heard." Concrete examples with links to the source would be helpful.

As I posted above....Frontier did roll out recently a change in their policies. If you book Frontier through the FlyFrontier website, you do not have to pay for your carryon. If you book Frontier through a 3rd party such as Expedia, etc....you will have a carryon fee for a bag in the overhead (personal item that fits under the seat is free).
http://news.flyfrontier.com/press-r...ances-services-customers-using-flyfrontiercom


Frontier also just started charging for non-alcoholic drinks in flight...though I do stand corrected that they are charging for lower tier members and nonmembers of their FF program, apparently regardless of booking engine.

This is the carrier I think the OP had "heard" about.