| The travel agency business has undergone big | | | | If you do book your ticket directly at the airline's |
| changes, mostly due to the existence of online | | | | web site as opposed to a third-party travel site, |
| travel sites and the ease of online booking. Those | | | | you'll be able to enter in your frequent flier |
| travel agents still have a few good tricks up their | | | | number at the time you book your ticket, and |
| sleeves, but with a little diligence, you can find the | | | | you may also get a bonus for booking direct. |
| best deal on your own. | | | | Online security |
| Don't play favorites | | | | Purchasing airline tickets, or anything else for that |
| Many travelers have a particular favorite travel | | | | matter, has become widely accepted, and is just |
| web site where they book their tickets, and they | | | | as secure as handing your credit card to a live |
| may even have a favorite airline. But fares | | | | person over the counter. When you go to enter |
| change so quickly, and deals come and go-so in | | | | in your personal information, you will notice that |
| fact, no single online travel agent will be able to | | | | the URL window in your browser has an "https" |
| consistently give you the best deal, every time. | | | | prefix instead of "http," which means that you are |
| Check multiple airlines and multiple online travel | | | | on a secure connection. If you don't see this, then |
| agencies, and you'll be surprised at how much | | | | move onto another site. You will need to register |
| prices can vary. A trip from Chicago to Bangkok | | | | on the site as well. This simply makes you a |
| may range from $1,200 to $5,000 on the same | | | | "member" of the site, and you may be asked if |
| day, depending on the source. | | | | you'd like to receive occasional email promotions |
| When you see a deal, grab it | | | | or newsletters. Registration also will recall your |
| Fares not only change quickly, they also get | | | | name and personal preferences to make |
| booked quickly. It won't be unusual for you to see | | | | subsequent ordering faster. When you select a |
| a good deal on a flight to Bali, for example, only | | | | password, remember to choose one that is |
| to come back a few hours later to find that the | | | | difficult-don't use your name, or something easy |
| price has gone up by several hundred dollars. A | | | | to guess. Passwords should include both alpha and |
| good strategy is to first survey several sites to | | | | numeric characters. |
| get a feel for what an average price range would | | | | Online Check-in |
| be for your desired flight. Using that average price | | | | Most airlines will also allow for online check-in, |
| range as a base point, when you see a flight that | | | | which can save you time, and permit seat |
| is near the bottom of that range (or even below | | | | selection or pre-ordering of meals. Typically with a |
| it), grab it as soon as you can. | | | | boarding pass that you print out yourself from |
| Get a good seat | | | | the web site, the procedure involves verifying the |
| When you use a live travel agent, she can usually | | | | document, dropping off your luggage at a |
| find you the best seat-but you can do this | | | | designated counter, and going on your way. |
| yourself as well when booking online. Many of the | | | | Typically, it saves a significant amount of time |
| online travel sites, as well as the airlines | | | | over the traditional check-in counter. The online |
| themselves, allow for seat selection immediately | | | | check-in is available for several Asian airlines, such |
| after purchase. You can select generically-that is, | | | | as AirAsia and Singapore Airlines. Some European |
| choose either a window or aisle seat-or drill down | | | | discount carriers have made it compulsory, but |
| to more detail and select the exact seat you | | | | none of the major Asian airlines have gone this |
| prefer by looking at a seat map. You may | | | | route, instead focusing on simply making the online |
| encounter some situations where seat selection | | | | check-in available for those who want it. |
| cannot be made online, but don't worry. You can | | | | E-tickets |
| buy your ticket online and enjoy the best price, | | | | Most airlines now use electronic tickets, and |
| and then after purchase, call the airline's toll-free | | | | charge extra for sending you a paper ticket. In |
| number directly and ask for a seat selection. | | | | most cases, there is no need for a paper ticket, |
| Book at the airline, or through online travel site? | | | | and all you need to do is show your ID to get |
| If you know what airline you're traveling on, then | | | | your boarding pass. There are also ticket kiosks |
| you can book directly on the airline's web | | | | for obtaining your e-ticket which can help you |
| site-although the downside to booking direct is | | | | avoid a long wait in line. When you use the kiosk, |
| that you're not able to compare prices with other | | | | you will be directed to insert your credit card. You |
| airlines, and that's where your best deals are going | | | | must present the same card you used to book |
| to be found. | | | | your ticket, or the kiosk won't process your |
| Frequent flier miles | | | | e-ticket. The credit card at this point is for ID |
| If you book through an online travel site, you can | | | | purposes only. |
| still get your frequent flier miles. In some cases, | | | | Changing your mind |
| you will be able to enter your frequent flier | | | | Once you've booked your ticket online, you'll get |
| number directly when you book, but even if this | | | | an email confirmation, usually within the hour. Be |
| is not an option, you're not out of luck. Regardless | | | | sure to check the details carefully. Making a |
| of where you bought your ticket, all you need to | | | | change to your itinerary may not be able to be |
| do is present your frequent flier card when you | | | | done online; it may be necessary to call the airline |
| check in to have your miles applied to your | | | | directly-and there may be a fee involved for |
| account. | | | | making the change. |