While booking an international air-travel trip..

Society Travel & Tourism
1

what factors do you consider?

Some people prioritize luxury, some safety while some lowest fare. I fall in the last category of being cheap :hehe:

How about the booking section. Do you contact a travel agent or surf through the airlines website?

So far I have booked all trips via travel agent who are good family friends so it kinda becomes easier.

2

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

I don't book with airlines I know have a bad reputation for delays or cancellations, no matter how cheap, I'd rather pay a little more and know I'll get there on time without being messed around.. Don't need luxury but if it's a long-haul flight and I can get a good discount I'll go for business class and fly direct whenever I can.. Some airlines like British Airways do really good discounted rates if you book late but their economy service is pretty basic (much more than airlines like Turkish or Emirates imo).. I always book online as well.. I like the convenience of being able to check lots of different prices at once, choosing my seat, checking in at home etc.

3

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

i look for the lowest fare with reputed airlines...try to fly the same airline that i've Frequent Flyer Program Membership with. i've discovered lately that Air India's FFP is one of the best in the aviation industry. each trip to India fetches me one free round-trip ticket anywhere within India. i try to take the non-stop flights but connections don't turn me off either.

i like flying Airbus Industrie A-330 because the seating configuration is 2+4+2...i take window seat and there is ONLY i person on my side [instead of usual 2]...it makes it easier to get in and out of my seat. i usally take a seat which is by the exit door and it gives me extra legroom and i do NOT disturb the passenger sitting next to me. most airlines charge extra for these premium seats but i choose an airline which doesn't charge extra for these seats, like Air India, Etihad etc

4

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Minimum connections and minimum time at the airport then low fare obviously.

5

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Awesome :k:

Do you fly often in a year or just once or twice? Im asking cuz you do sound experienced.

So you are most like a combo of luxury and fare check. That makes sense.
Question: Do you know which other airlines have FFP that can be availed easily? I’m sure @ekumunng will know it

Thats my bhruv as I also check the connections and make sure its not that long wait. But if i see a very good deal i may compromise to a couple of extra hours waiting :slight_smile:

6

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

depends where you are. i think most US and Canadian airlines have good FFP for North America. most airlines offer actual mileage accrual irrespective of type of fare paid. most airlines offer short hop flights for as low as 15000 miles.

if you wanna fast accrual of FREE miles to receive a FREE ticket from anywhere to anywhere in North America, you should get a Travel Credit Card from some of the banks. they are giving away 25000 miles for signing up. it’s enough to get a FREE ticket for across North America.

Air Canada is offering TWO free tickets to anywhere in North America for $25000 miles which you can get by just signing up with American Express Gold Card. First year charges for the card is FREE so you may cancel your card after your first year and after receiving your signup rewards.

great deals out there…keep looking!

7

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

I look at the cash monies first :smooth: After that airline, then # of connections, then duration of the connection. Lastly, which airport that connection will be at.

8

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

I agree and pretty much do the same.

i’m sure we wont want to fly with Malaysian Airlines now no matter how cheap it gets :smiley:

9

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

LOL yeah eh. A couple of summers ago, my brother and I had a minor tiff over booking my flight back home. The cheapest was Egyptian Airlines, with a layover in Cairo. Mind you, this is when the revolving door of the leaders was happening in Egypt, and foreigners were being randomly held and detained in the country. I refused to book that flight. For the life of me he couldn’t understand why I would not want to book it :smack:

10

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

wow.. I think you made the right decision. May be he was trying to get rid of you.. lol.. just kidding :smiley:

11

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Cheap fare is priority, but less connection and transit time also factor in long haul flights.

12

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Welcome to majority! :)

13

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

I don't have much experience of enjoying the benefits of points and free travel with them. I had some miles with AirCanada and I redeemed them for iTunes Gift Cards :D

14

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..


lolz...you exchanged your valuable miles for peanuts. :D

15

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Miles were not that much and also I stopped flying with them. I use Air Transat now. :snooty:

16

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Air Transat doesn’t fly to Asia. it’s more like a Charter Airline. nothing like an schedule airline.

anyways, start collecting miles with a good airlines…it’s worth it.

17

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Wut about other big travellers we’ve @TLK @khattichic @teggy @OneYourMomWarnedAbt @prototype @us1415 @phoenixdesi** @Southie @psyah @Shak******

18

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

I don't travel International as much as I'd like to. On all previous instances the goal has been to find the cheapest fare, and the most direct route. On the trip, I will probably opt for more comfort by spending a little more as long as it's reasonable. My city is well connected with middle eastern carriers now, so it's just one mandatory stop at their hubs to switch plane for destination. Alternatively, I can catch a non-stop flight from New York on PIA. Although the return leg still has a fuel/passenger stop in Europe.

Before: Fare was a deciding factor. Booked through Travel Agent. Booked about 2 months in advance. Preferred seat requested upon check-in at the counter.

Now: Would want to travel in more comfort. Will probably do the booking myself at carrier's website unless better price is found elsewhere. Will probably book 2 months in advance at the least, and select seat at the time of booking online.

19

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

yes i travel a lot internationally but mostly for work…and luckily get business class (well most of the times)…but paid by the company.

all i can say, anything above 6 hours…and if there is any chance you can get B-class, pleaseeeee go for it. Do not underestimate it. Use credit card points, miles, anything. You will see the difference once you experience it. Your body will coup much better with stress and anxiety. You will sleep better and will be fresh especially when you fly Monday nite from JFK, get to Europe Monday AM and then be in the office all day long.

I recently went to Korea, japan and Thailand…all B-class but had to take coach Seoul to JFK (15 hours…)…it was horrible. very painful. I am a tall guy 6’ 2…on coach for 15 hours…it is painful. You have to take sleeping pills to knock yourself out

Same goes for Middle east which is 14+ hr flight

used to book through travel agents for my private trips…not anymore. Now i just use internet even for Pakistan.

20

Re: While booking an international air-travel trip..

Can you still mark your seat before checking in at airport if you have already booked thru travel agent?

If i've a trip in 2 weeks but hvnt selected the seat yet and i'll try to get a front one for leg space.