The cost of airfare is constantly on the rise, and "cheap airline ticket" is fast becoming a meaningless phrase.
A cheaper airline ticket, however, is still possible, and the savvy shopper can save some hard earned dollars when booking.
A quick survey of passengers in the economy section of any given flight, would show that they had paid a wide range of prices for their tickets.
Why would someone be paying more for the same seat as the person sitting next to them? Airline pricing practices, and the way that tickets are marketed can make shopping for a cheap flight a daunting task for the unwary.
The three most popular ways of purchasing tickets are; directly from the airline, from a travel agent, and on-line.
Each has its advantages and drawbacks, but most travelers willing to invest some time, find that the best fares can be found on-line.
Most major airlines have their own websites, where bookings can be made directly.
They seldom offer really cheap fares, however, as they give these tickets to on-line vendors and traditional travel agents at reduced prices.
Travel agents provide convenience, but obviously have to make a profit when selling their services, which adds to the price.
Buying on-line offers convenience combined with the lowest possible fares.
There are some tips which will help on-line shoppers stay safe and still find that cheap airline ticket.
Do your homework, shop around, and make certain that this is what you need before booking, and you could be the one paying much less than the person in the seat next to you.
A cheaper airline ticket, however, is still possible, and the savvy shopper can save some hard earned dollars when booking.
A quick survey of passengers in the economy section of any given flight, would show that they had paid a wide range of prices for their tickets.
Why would someone be paying more for the same seat as the person sitting next to them? Airline pricing practices, and the way that tickets are marketed can make shopping for a cheap flight a daunting task for the unwary.
The three most popular ways of purchasing tickets are; directly from the airline, from a travel agent, and on-line.
Each has its advantages and drawbacks, but most travelers willing to invest some time, find that the best fares can be found on-line.
Most major airlines have their own websites, where bookings can be made directly.
They seldom offer really cheap fares, however, as they give these tickets to on-line vendors and traditional travel agents at reduced prices.
Travel agents provide convenience, but obviously have to make a profit when selling their services, which adds to the price.
Buying on-line offers convenience combined with the lowest possible fares.
There are some tips which will help on-line shoppers stay safe and still find that cheap airline ticket.
- Do some research.
On-line shopping makes it easy to compare prices, and get an idea of what you really should be paying. - Make sure of what you are comparing.
Some may disclose the full price, including all taxes and fees, up front, while others may not reveal these until the end of the booking process. - Deal only with reputable on-line travel agencies, such as Expedia, Travelocity and other established companies.
Check to see if the company is registered as a travel agency in your jurisdiction.
There are a lot of scammers on the Internet, so don't become a victim. - If a fare seems too low to be real, then it probably isn't.
Either the ad is fake, or it is an attempt to lure you in to paying more down the road. - Is a "lowest fare guarantee" offered? If you find someone selling the same ticket cheaper, you can ask them to match it.
- Do they offer a "price drop" guarantee? This means that if the price of the ticket goes down after you purchase it, they will refund the difference.
- Read all the fine print before booking.
Cheap airline tickets usually can't be altered or refunded if problems arise.
Cancellation insurance is a wise investment. - Check out all the airlines policies regarding extra fees for things like baggage, meals, in-flight entertainment and seat selection.
That cheap ticket can end up costing more than you had expected. - If further assistance is needed, most on-line agencies offer live agents to deal with problems.
Do your homework, shop around, and make certain that this is what you need before booking, and you could be the one paying much less than the person in the seat next to you.
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