Is it cheaper to buy plane tickets online or at travel agency?

Question

Is it cheaper to buy plane tickets online or at travel agency?

Answer 1

I've always found better deals online.  But make sure to do comparisons between different sites everytime you book.  Some may be cheaper one time and more expensive another time.

I have made a habit of getting quotes for flights from travel agents after doing my own research.  They have ALWAYS been more expensive.  On a recent flight I found my own flight online and it ended up being about $350 cheaper than the agent quoted me AND only one layover instead of two!

Best advice is to shop around and compare.  Also remember, a slightly cheaper flight on a discount airline isn't always worth it because they will charge for alot more (like meals, drinks, earphones, reserving your seat, etc.).  Sometimes its just better to pay a little more for a good airline.

Answer 2

Travel agents, at least in the US, will charge a fee for booking flights, unless they are also booking a package trip for you.

Answer 3

it all depends more often is cheaper on the web, but you have to search hard often i find websites will quote a crazy price like $20000

often websites aren't flexible enough with times and transfers lay overs etc paying extra to get the right flights is sometimes worth it.

some times with long haul flights travel agents with high turn over and low margins and low service are cheaper than the web because they have greater buying power (like flightcentre)

Answer 4

I have usually (not always but usually) found the best fares on the airline websites.  Also, there is normally a frequent flier mileage bonus for booking online via the airline's website (the miles add up).

However, you have to do the research, and be as flexible as possible regarding travel dates & airports.

Check the travel sites (airgorilla, expedia, travelocity, etc.) and also check the airline websites. Don't forget airlines like Southwest and JetBlue, which don't use the travel sites.

Check with a real travel agent to ask about promotional fares and special deals.

If you also need a hotel or rental car, check the cost of combining the purchases in a package.  For example, I found a deal (on www.united.com) with airfare + hotel in Hawaii for a week that was only $100 more than just the airfare.

When traveling to far destinations check the prices when you split the ticket.  For example, searching "Chicago to Nairobi" (all on one ticket) may cost much more than searching "Chicago to London" and then "London to Nairobi". If that turns out to be the case, talk to a real travel agent about getting the better fare all on one ticket.

Good luck!

Answer 5

NOLA guys answer is right on.  but here are some other ideas and tricks that may help.

There are several ways to get the best airfare:

  Try one of the big companies: Travelocity.com., Kayak.com or Expedia.com. The advantage to them is that they show many different airlines and the cheapest prices for both the specific date you want to fly and the dates surrounding that date.  In case your plans are flexible. The disadvantage is that you are locked into the fare dates.  If you want to change a date due to injury or an emergency, their fees can be extreme.  

  My personal method it to use Kayak as my initial check on fares and dates.   I generally start at least a month in advance when looking for a ticket.   The nice thing about kayak is that it hooks you up directly to the airline.  Hence… you don’t get locked too deeply into one of the big three that charge up the wazoo for rescheduling.   Then after I have figured one or two flights that are at the right times and right prices.  In the upper left corner of the Kayak screen there is a feature that says “ track fares by email”. It’s referred to as Fare tracker and it really helps. Sign into this feature and it will update you daily on the changes in airfare.  At least once in the month you are going to be able to find a fare that is usually a couple of hundred dollars less than what you have been quoted in the first place.  A very cool feature.

Also, check out currentcodes.com and naughtycodes.com. these two sites have discount codes for some of the airlines and can save you some real money if you catch a special at the right time. They have discount codes for just about everything including airfares and Cruises. Not to mention coupon type codes for many stores and services.

If that is not what you want or you are in more of a hurry,  then…

  Try the airlines directly. Either their Web sites or direct telephone lines. Some of the Airlines offer low price guarantees meaning that if you find a cheaper fight on another Web site they may match the price or beat it. Each airline is different though, so you have to check them out individually.

  Just remember, if you are going to try to get the cheapest flights, the airlines normally have restrictions. You may have to purchase the ticket 14 or 21 days in advance, there may be no refunds or changes allowed.  You really need to know these restrictions.  

   If you try looking for a last-minute flight you will end up paying a lot more, although there are occasional exceptions.  I personally, managed a last minute ticket to S.F on the Millennium New Years eve. And received a better price than my friends that had booked a month in advance!    But… you cannot depend on this at all.

   Usually travel agents do not get the lowest fares and sometimes they tack on a commission. Travel agencies used to be the best way to get the best airfare, but with the Internet, It is now just as easy for individuals to check themselves.

   If you call an airline directly (they all have toll-free numbers), be sure to ask them if they have any specials. Often they do have specials, but you have to ask them about them, they won’t just tell you!  

So be careful about restrictions on tickets.  Be aware of charges for overweight baggage and remember that many of the very CHEAP fares you see in the Travel section of the local Papers are fares that are quoted, “without taxes”  Taxes can really add up.  

Have fun and happy travels.