Buying Airline Tickets

I have experienced that going directly to the airline site is cheaper then priceline and all those other sites. They seem to be about $30 higher, doesn't make sense to me.

No, I never have. I prefer to use the airline websites.

I always always always get a better deal going thru my travel agent than any deal I have ever found online. On a trip to Arizona (we live outside Chicago) my agent was able to get round trip air for all four of us, hotel (Hilton Squaw Peak Resort), rental car and insurance for 5 days, in April, for $2,100. Everytime we are planning a trip I spend hours online, only to find I can't get the times/ days I want to travel. Then I pick up the phone and call my agent and boom within an hour she has everything set for the price I need. Check there first and then if you still think it's too high start your online search. Usually to get good deals on line you are flying off peak times and days. :) good luck

Yes. Worked well. We have used priceline and hotels.com for hotel reserv. and car too. Just print off everything you receive and confirm it the day or 2 after purchase.
No problems.

I haven't and don't recommend using any other than the actual airline company. My sisters just used hotwire and got screwed big time. They did not get them assigned seats and hotwire forgot to mention to the airline when booking they have an infant so that caused them to have problems too. They also requested to have their seats next to each other and on all of their flights they were seated far apart. I also don't recommend Delta. That was one of their flights going out and they lost my sisters stroller and damaged their luggage. They refused to pay for the damages.

I'm a travel agent, so I always recommend calling an agent and speaking with them and letting them do all the work researching options and best
deals. Most of the time an agent can meet or beat what you are finding online. There may be a small fee involved using a travel agent per airline ticket - it can vary based on the agent or the agency, but in return for
that service fee, you have the agency's support should there by any
problems with flight delays, cancellations or other issues. I would try an agent and see if you can find a local person you feel comfortable working with.

All of the time.. Our daughter is in college 2000 miles away, I and I always get a great price, the times we want and the airline she likes.. For 4 years now I have used them and always been pleased..

Once the tickets are ordered the hotel and car rates really go down..

Now keep in mind. The tickets cannot be exchanged. No refunds. And to get the great prices on the hotels, may not always have "your" hotel available..

But if you are willing to follow all of this.. you will be great..

No, I never use a discounter or agent. I've managed our travel for business and pleasure over 20 years. I am capable of putting together a trip very quickly including hotels, cars and air.

I deal directly with the airline website, our preferences are American and Southwest. I buy a LOT of tickets, especially from Southwest. My hubby flies weekly and I manage the flights. Southwest is by far the easiest to work with. I have a companion pass where I fly with him for free and he usually gets a free ticket in the mail once every 6-8 weeks. As for American, we like the nonstops and perks we get for being gold or platinum member fliers.

Once you learn the system, you can do these things by yourself in no time and save fees from discounters and travel agents.

You can get deals through the airline websites that are comparable to the discounters.

I am sure you can get a "deal" through a discounter but beware because if you have any issues....you are on your own. When you have issues (everyone does at one point or another), you get better service when you have worked directly with the airline.

If you don't feel comfortable enough booking online yourself, most of the websites have a chat option so you can chat with an operator. As always, you can book via telephone operator but there will be an increased price for going that route.

I also deal directly with the hotel and rental car sites.

Good luck.

Yes, and if you don't care what time of day you fly, it is great. I have saved up to half off airline or expedia.com site prices. You have to be flexible on times- usually you get the non-peak flights.
I've used Priceline for hotel and car rental as well with no problems and have saved lots of money.
Betterbidding.com has good tips for the hotel rental part of Priceline.

We like kayak.com and have never had problems (plus there site will compare to most others like priceline if you choose that option). However I also recommended checking and seeing if SouthWest Flies where you are going. the last 2 yrs or so, we have found them to be cheaper by the time you figure in luggage fees both ways with most airlines (SW you get 2 bags free both ways)

Hope this Helps :)

We've always used Expedia and had great luck with them.