How to Purchase an Airline Ticket

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If you want to climb the mountains of the Himalayas, trek through the Tuscany countryside of Italy or surf the gnarly waves of Huntington Beach, California, the fastest way to get to these destinations is to take a commercial airline. Though the price might be high, the journey will be efficient, safe and relatively comfortable. Modern communication technologies offers many ways for you to book your airline ticket.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Visit or call a travel agent. Though she might charge you a small fee, you could save money in the long run because of her access to discounts on travel and accommodation. She can also make short work of any complicated itineraries, for example, if you want to ski in Aspen, explore Chaco Canyon and lounge on Santa Monica beach, all in one trip. She might have even visited your destination several times and can offer insider tips on any outdoor activities.

Step 2

Browse a travel website such as Travelocity.com, which gives you a list of airlines and prices so you can compare options and pick the best one. For the lowest cost, increase the number of layovers and specify flexible dates so you can see how prices and costs change depending on the day of the week. If you do not understand any of the fees, click the descriptive link next to any amount.

Step 3

Visit an airline's individual website, which lets you buy a ticket directly through that company. Many feature even lower prices than what you can get from a travel website. Sign up for a frequent flyer program at the same time because then your flight can garner miles, which you can exchange for free travel in the future. In addition, just becoming a member rewards you with discount coupons and specials via e-mail.

Step 4

Call the airline directly if your itinerary involves many layovers. Booking with a representative might be more expensive than the website, but an agent might know about routes and times that are not generally available. An agent can also answer any questions you might have.

Step 5

Check the baggage policies about any outdoor equipment you intend to bring. Saving money on a ticket is worthless if you have to spend several hundred dollars to check in your sports gear. For example, United Airlines charges you $200 each way to take your bicycle to Europe. Virgin Atlantic, on the other hand, costs nothing more if your bike falls within your standard baggage allowance and weighs less than 70 pounds.

Article Written By Aurelio Locsin

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.

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