One of the busiest travel seasons has already started, and if you are looking for airfare, you can't go wrong with one of the major online booking websites. But which one is the best? There are several important things you need to keep in mind when you are researching airline tickets, and we've gone ahead and curated a list to help you out. Here are 25 things you should know before booking an airline ticket.
1. LookAtAllThePossibleOptions
The most convenient thing about booking an airline ticket is that there are plenty of options to choose from. Thanks to the growth of online booking, you'll have access to a whole world of flights and carriers. When it comes to choosing an airline, you have several options including major airlines as well as discount carriers. To save you the effort and stress, most online booking websites will provide you with a list of the best deals available. Of course, you have the option to browse through the entire site and see all the available deals yourself. Booking an airline ticket through an online travel agency reduces the chances of missing out on a good deal because you didn't have direct contact with the airline. Even when you are checking a deal on social media, you might not see all the information.
2. ResearchTheFareWell
One of the biggest mistakes people make when booking an airline ticket is using an expired credit card when paying for the flight. That's right, sometimes people will pay with a credit card that has expired, and because there's no penalty for doing so, they don't see the error until after they've booked the flight. If you are ever presented with an error message when paying for a flight with a credit card, you will need to contact the airline immediately and correct the situation. Otherwise, you'll have to pay in full before you can board the plane. This is why it's important to do your research beforehand and find out the exact cost of airfare, including all fees. Also, make sure to check the rules and regulations of the airline you are flying with before you book your ticket. Some airlines impose additional charges for things such as checking a bag or going over weight, so be sure to find out what those charges are before you book your ticket.
3. ShopAround
Shopping for airline tickets is a lot like buying regular retail goods online. You'll find all kinds of offers and discounts depending on the time of year and whether or not the airline is on a sale. Some carriers will even give you points or miles towards future travel if you book a certain number of flights per year. Make sure to check out all of the possible deals so you don't miss out on a good one. Even better, you can set up travel alerts on your phone so you'll be notified of any special promotions.
4. CompareThePlaneTickets
One of the great things about booking an airline ticket is the level of comparison shopping you can do. If you've ever shopped for an airplane ticket and didn't have the time to compare all the different options, you'll appreciate the difference that contrast shopping can make. When you are on a mobile phone or computer, you can easily compare the flights and carriers of several airlines and choose which one you want to book with. For people who like to do their research offline, printed copies of airline timetables will also be available at airports.
5. ConsiderTheLocationOfTheAirport
Another important factor to consider when booking an airline ticket is the location of the airport. This is particularly important if you are traveling during a popular vacation season. As airfare will be fluctuating depending on the time of year and whether or not the airline is on a sale, it is advisable to check the location of the airport you are arriving at. This will help you determine how much you will need to pay for your ticket. For example, if you are flying into New York City, but you live in Boston, you might want to consider paying more for the plane ticket so you don't end up in a situation where you miss your flight because there was construction at the airport.
6. BeCarefulWithTheFaresYourNoted
Airlines will post all kinds of amazing deals on their websites, so be careful when researching airline ticket prices. Sometimes they can be somewhat misleading, especially if you don't read the small print or check the specific conditions. For example, some deals will only be available for a certain number of people or will be withdrawn once an allotment has been sold. Make sure to do your research and find out what the requirements are before spending any money.
7. KnowTheRatesYourPlaneWillFly
It is important to know the rates your plane will fly because this will affect both your time and money. There are several factors that determine the price of a plane ticket including the time of year and whether or not the airline is on a sale. For example, during the summer months, the prices are generally higher because more people are traveling and there are more seats available. However, if you don't want to spend more than a certain amount of money on your ticket, you might want to consider booking during a less busy time.
8. ConsiderTheLengthOfTheDeparture
The length of the departure is another factor to consider when booking an airline ticket. If you are planning on leaving the country on a certain date, make sure to book your ticket well in advance. Departures during popular vacation periods will not only cost you more but will fill up the plane. This is why it is important to book your flight as close to the date as possible but no earlier than necessary. If you are departing from a major airport, you might want to consider investing in an airport express to get to your departure location more quickly.
9. UseTheRightSearchStrategy
To save you the effort and time, most travel agencies and websites will provide you with a list of the best deals available. When booking an airline ticket, don't just look at what's available at the moment you book the ticket – be sure to check all the available options so you don't miss out on a good deal. Sometimes people will enter the wrong destination when booking an airline ticket, and because the airline doesn't offer services to that city, they will miss out on a great experience. To avoid this, always check the maps on the websites and make sure to enter the correct information, including the city and airport IDs.
10. CheckTheNoiseLevel
Noise is another important factor to consider when booking a plane ticket. If you are flying into a major airport, you will undoubtedly be in a noisy area, but there is no reason to complain, especially when the noise is not caused by other people but by the airport itself. To avoid missing out on a good deal because of noise, either pay more for your ticket or check the airport's website for information on what locations are quiet and what locations are not. Sometimes you may even be able to find a quieter spot away from the runways and construction sites.
11. UnderstandWhatYouAreGetting
As we mentioned above, sometimes airlines can be somewhat misleading when it comes to the conditions of a deal. For example, if you read the fine print, you may see that the discount was only valid for the first two people with a child in the same row. In some cases, people have been able to take advantage of these types of conditions and end up missing their flight because they didn't know what they were getting into. To avoid missing your flight because of hidden clauses, be sure to read all of the information provided and understand what you are getting into.
12. ResearchTheCabinQuality
When you book a plane ticket, you'll be provided with some basic information about the cabin. Depending on your budget and how long you're going to be in the air, you can choose to spend more or less on your cabin. If you are looking for a comfortable journey, consider investing in an extra pair of slippers or having the air changed. In some cases, people have gotten sick from bad breath or body fluids from other passengers, so make sure to research the cabin size and whether or not the airline employs a cleansing crew.
13. CheckTheBaggagePolicy
When you book a plane ticket, you'll be provided with some basic information about the baggage allowed onboard. Depending on your budget and how long you're going to be in the air, you can choose to spend more or less on your baggage. Sometimes people will overpack and go over their weight limit, resulting in additional charges. In other cases, people will underpack and miss their flight because they didn't have enough space. So, be sure to check the baggage policy of the airline before you book your ticket.