buying a plane ticket

[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.

[REE1993]

Go to the sites of the airlines themselves. That's what we always do.

[AKA_Monet]

I search airlines directly, then see if I can get a cheaper price on Travelocity or Orbitz or Expedia. But, now they are all the same. So if you do not care about how much you want to spend and where you want to sit or if you want to sit together if you have a travel partner, then I would use the "betting" sites, like Cheaptickets, Hotwire or Priceline. And remember to "low ball", as for the most impossibly low price. If you want to go to LA to NY, ask for $100. If they accept it, and they most likely won't, then that is what you pay + tax which is $50 - $75--so you'll pay $175 round trip to LA to NY. And they charge your card automatically. Let us know if you get a $100 tix from LA to NY, though...

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.

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.

Originally Posted by REE1993

Go to the sites of the airlines themselves. That's what we always do.

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!

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by REE1993

Go to the sites of the airlines themselves. That's what we always do.

I generally check on Orbitz and Travelocity -- then check the airline site to see if the same basic fare is listed because Orbitz, etc adds a service charge.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[SWTXBelle]

I'm a big fan of Southwest Airlines - you have to check out their site because they don't participate in the other sites already mentioned.

[Rudey]

Go to Orbitz and Mobissimo.com and then to the website for the smaller airlines that fly where you want to go like Southwest/Spirit/ATA. If you find a cheap fare on Orbitz for an airline, then go to that airline's website and it'll usually be another 10-15 bucks cheaper.

-Rudey

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I'm a big fan of Southwest Airlines - you have to check out their site because they don't participate in the other sites already mentioned.

Yeah.......Southwest is great for anywhere close to our area.

[LeslieAGD]

Travelocity.com is good, but you generally get the best deals through the actual airline websites.

[ZTAngel]

Southwest is great. Too bad they don't fly to or from Atlanta. It's so stupid that they don't have any flights from one of the biggest cities in the US but, then again, Atlanta's air traffic is such a clusterf&$# that it would probably mess up Southwest's notorious on-time arrivals and departures.

[icelandelf]

I go directly to the airline sites. Southwest is usually the most flexible. If you purchase a ticket at least 14 days in advance you can get the cheapest rate. I've also had good service when I've needed to cancel/change a flight reservation.

[honeychile]

I also sign up for the various airlines' weekend specials, just to keep track of the rates.

[aggieAXO]

Thanks for the replies. I will be flying to Durango Co -small airport with limited carriers but hopefully southwest goes there. Time to start searching.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

Thanks for the replies. I will be flying to Durango Co -small airport with limited carriers but hopefully southwest goes there. Time to start searching.

From: http://www.durangogov.org/services/airport.html#airline

Commercial air carriers include:

• Delta Airlines, 800-221-1212
• United Express, 800-241-6522
• U.S. Airways, 800-235-9292
• Southwest Charter, 800-525-0892

Enjoy your trip!

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

Thanks for the replies. I will be flying to Durango Co.

Lucky you. Beautiful area. Enjoy. Do you have to fly through Denver?