Tips to save on online airticket bookings

[zhsyedabbas]

I had a lot of friends who paid 80K to 100K to various countries this year for airline tickets. Most of them complained of varying prices in various sites . well here are some tips that could help you to save on online booking sites.

1)Prices change every time-The online ticket business is based on analytical data, the computer works with complex algorithms to determine the price of a ticket. so remember this

2)Do not book during daytime-Most of the people sit to book a ticket during day time, but this is when most of the tickets are overpriced, I booked a ticket for Rs.52,000 at 2 am in the morning where the same ticket was at Rs.66,010 in the afternoon.

3)check different sites simultaneously - different sites have different rates search certain sites like farecompare.com which compares prices from about 5 sites simultaneously, I booked with goibibo.com

4)book early - book atleast three-four months before you journey, this is usually the time when the ticket booking enters the pool for analysis and price start from rock bottom


This is what i learnt from one week of analysis from online ticket booking sites, if I have missed anything add your tips too....and help our friends save on air ticket expenditures...good luck..

 

[Rossei]

Few more suggestions:

5) Avoid weekend flights. Ticket prices are normally higher in weekends and cheaper during weekdays, specially from Tuesday to Thursday. Also, overnight flights are comparatively cheaper.

6) Always compare the price with the actual airline website. Airlines run special deals/promos throughout the year. So, check before booking.

7) Avoid traveling during holiday season/week/long weekend. Prices are much higher during that time.

8 ) Sometimes travel agency work better than online. So, consider it as well.

 

[navkaur]

9) Get the quotation from 3-4 different travel agents. Choose the best with lowest quote. Since each agent varies from one another on basis of commission percentage, so price fluctuates. I personally prefer agents bcz we can change the booking timings on ease, plus they get quicker update if flights are delaying/cancelled or not. I dont know for India or other countries but where I reside in E. Africa, 95% people go via agents.

10) Even check with classes you booking. (Economy class has different classes too).

 

[Supreet Bajwa]

9) Get the quotation from 3-4 different travel agents. Choose the best with lowest quote. Since each agent varies from one another on basis of commission percentage, so price fluctuates. I personally prefer agents bcz we can change the booking timings on ease, plus they get quicker update if flights are delaying/cancelled or not. I dont know for India or other countries but where I reside in E. Africa, 95% people go via agents.

10) Even check with classes you booking. (Economy class has different classes too).

Can you further classify the economy class for me?

 

[ghatot201]

11. MOst of you guys forgot the most important thing. Disable or delete your cookies when you book your flights. By doing this you get real cheap tickets. Every time we visit a sit the details of our search is stored in the cookies and if you are a repeat visitor the price is jacked up as the computer/website knows you are just browsing. So by deleting cookies the website thinks you are a first time visitor and your price is dirt cheap.

 

[mead]

Can you further classify the economy class for me?

i am guessing here but seems like he is talking about premium economy class. its not something u can save on but something u can upgrade to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premium_economy

 

[Rossei]

Can you further classify the economy class for me?

Economy Class has further sub-classes, normally called by different letters that also varies from airline to airline. For example, the following can be Economy class sub-categories:

1. Premium Economy (may come with better seats/meals/earned miles and fully flexible in changing/cancellation/upgrade etc.)
2. Fully Flexible Economy (fully flexible in changing/cancellation/upgrade etc.)
3. Flexible Economy (changing/cancellation/upgrade etc. may cost $$$)
4. Economy (some options are restricted)
5. Economy (all options are restricted)

 

[navkaur]

Economy Class has further sub-classes, normally called by different letters that also varies from airline to airline. For example, the following can be Economy class sub-categories:

1. Premium Economy (may come with better seats/meals/earned miles and fully flexible in changing/cancellation/upgrade etc.)
2. Fully Flexible Economy (fully flexible in changing/cancellation/upgrade etc.)
3. Flexible Economy (changing/cancellation/upgrade etc. may cost $$$)
4. Economy (some options are restricted)
5. Economy (all options are restricted)

Right.
For example in Qatar airways, the economy class is differentiated by some alphabets like J, L or something. ..so each class varies with price.