Quote:
Originally Posted by mu_agd
I usually use kayak.com since it searches all airline sights as well as Orbitz, Cheaptickets and the like. It will then link you to whichever sight you want to purchase from.
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I use Kayak as well. It's better than going through all the different websites, only to find out that they're all the same price or just a few bucks off each other.
Quote:
Originally Posted by REE1993
Go to the sites of the airlines themselves. That's what we always do.
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Airlines use their "lowest fare guarantee" to get customers to book through them instead of other vendors, but that's not always the case. They'll have a particular fare advertised, but I've seen it cheaper on Travelocity/Orbitz/etc. If you happen to call the reservations center and tell them that you found a cheaper fare, they're supposed to match it (unless it's Priceline or Hotwire), but good luck getting Linda in India to get that done for you. I used to work at United right next to the Reservations Call Center...reservations agents don't care.
Still, it's always good to do a comparison between the vendor vs. airline website. Oftentimes the airline website will give you a booking bonus (extra miles, usually) if you book with them...and you might as well, if the prices are the same or similar.
Hotwire and Priceline have deeply discounted tickets, but be aware. They'll tell you what time of the day you're leaving and what kind of plane you'll be flying, but it won't tell you which carrier you're flying until AFTER your purchase goes through. If you're a frequent flyer member at whatever airline, you won't earn miles if you buy your wholesale tickets on Hotwire and Priceline.
Don't forget to always always always read the fine print!
Let the games begin!
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