Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Book Your Flight Online
• Method 2 of 3: Gather Travel Information
• Method 3 of 3: Book your flight with a travel agency
• Tips
• Warnings

Booking an airline ticket can seem like a daunting task, especially when you have to choose from a myriad of websites, airlines and travel agencies. In addition, airfare prices fluctuate constantly, which further complicates the booking process. But if you spend a little time searching for information and be flexible, you can book your next flight without a hitch.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Book Your Flight Online

1. 1 Look for flights in advance. A domestic flight is best booked between 112 and 21 days prior to departure to get the lowest fare. 54 days before departure is considered the ideal time.However, even booking 54 days in advance does not guarantee that you will receive tickets at the cheapest price.
   • If you are booking an international flight, it is a good idea to do so as early as possible, especially if your destination is small or has only one nearest airport.
   • If you are flying to a popular destination during hot times, such as Italy during spring break, you should book your tickets as early as possible. Since this flight is in demand, it is unlikely that the price will be reduced.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Allyson edwards

   
   
   Traveler and international consultant Allison Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations. She then worked on developing international partnerships with agencies in more than 20 countries and advised companies in the education, financial technology and retail sectors.

   Allyson edwards
   Traveler and International Consultant

   Expert advice: “Book your tickets strategically. It is best to buy tickets for international flights in about two months. Prices for domestic flights can fluctuate significantly up to a month before the planned flight date, and then the cost of tickets rises sharply. Keep track of prices and book tickets when they are at the lowest! "

2. 2 Check the search engine sites for various air fares. Before booking, check the search engine sites for various fares, such as Aviasales, to check for discounts. This is especially useful if your destination or travel dates are flexible, so you can take advantage of either option.
   • Airlines sometimes share discounts with their customers on their own websites or through newsletters. Subscribe to the newsletter from leading airlines or visit their websites to search for deals.
3. 3 Enter your trip details on the aggregator site. Visit an aggregator site (such as SkyScanner, Momondo, or Google Flights) that searches a variety of airlines and enter your trip information. The website will give you a large number of flight options based on the requested destination and dates. And then you can sort these options by price, airline or flight duration.
   • Many aggregator sites allow you to enter multiple destinations and search for flights on multiple dates. This will help you find the best deal if you have flexible travel arrangements.
   • If you have time, check out a few aggregator sites. Some sites may charge different prices, so it's best to search and make sure you get the best deal.
4. 4 Choose how many stops / changes you want to make. Often during the voyage, especially to remote places, it is required to make intermediate stops along the way. Sometimes for this you need to change the plane and go through the security check again. When looking for flights, be sure to take into account how many stops or connections are convenient for you. Also check how long and at what time of day they will be produced.
   • You might be able to find a cheaper flight if you don't mind adding an extra stop. However, it is important to consider carefully whether the length and time of the transplant is worth the money saved.
5. 5 Go to the airline's website. Once you've found the best deal, select it on the aggregator website and go to the airline's official website to book your tickets. Some aggregators allow you to book a flight through their website, but additional fees may apply for this service.
6. 6 Choose a location. Many airlines allow you to select your seat at the time of booking. Make sure you select seats for all passengers you book your flight for. You can choose seats together (if the required number of seats is free) or a seat near the aisle, by the window or in the center.You can also pay extra for a seat that, for example, has extra legroom.
   • If the airline does not allow seat selection at the time of booking, you may be able to do so at check-in. If you prefer a specific seat or need to sit next to your fellow travelers (for example, if you are traveling with a child), call the airline to see if you can arrange everything in advance.
7. 7 Decide whether to choose a package of services or not. At the end of the ticketing, the airline may offer additional booking services such as hotels or car rental. They can be added immediately or booked separately from the ticket.
   • Before choosing additional services, for example, hotel stays or car rental, it is better to search for information on the Internet and make sure that the airline offers really favorable conditions.
8. 8 Request special services. If you require any special services for your flight, such as a wheelchair, please request at the time of booking. If you are not prompted to enter this information when booking online, please call the airline directly.
   • Other special services may include travel with service animals, medical supervision and dietary restrictions.
9. 9 Decide whether to add insurance or not. During the booking process, you may also be asked to add insurance coverage. Read the information in the small print and decide if you need insurance for your flight and trip.
   • The compulsory health insurance policy is a document certifying the right of the insured person to free medical care throughout the Russian Federation in the amount stipulated by the basic compulsory medical insurance program. So if you are traveling to another city in Russia, there is nothing to worry about. If you are traveling to another country, consider insurance options and compare prices.
10. 10 Book your ticket! On the airline's website, confirm that all information about your trip is correct. Then follow the prompts to enter your personal and billing information and complete your ticket booking. You may also need the personal information of all other passengers flying with you.
11. 11 Receive confirmation and receipt of payment. After booking, a receipt and ticket confirmation must be emailed to you. If you do not receive them within a few hours of booking, please contact the airline.
    • Save a copy of your receipt in a safe folder. It would also be nice to print it out.

Method 2 of 3: Gather Travel Information

1. 1 Decide where you go. Depending on the type of trip, you may be able to slightly change your final destination. Spend some time searching for information to find your perfect destination.
   • For example, if you want to visit the Caribbean Islands, then keep in mind that there are over 28 island states and 7000 individual islands to choose from.
   • If you are tied to a specific destination, you can still look for nearby (or minor) airports. For example, if you are visiting relatives in San Francisco, you can also check flights to nearby Oakland Airport.
2. 2 Decide on the date of your trip. Together with your fellow travelers, decide when and for how long. The more flexible your dates are, the easier it will be to find your flight.
   • If you have a tight time frame or travel deadlines are already running out, it is best to book as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are flying during a "hot" period, for example, during the New Year holidays.
3. 3 Check if you need a visa or vaccination certificate. Some international destinations require visitors to have a special visa to enter the country, or a certificate of pre-vaccination. Study this information so you have time to prepare, apply for your visa, and schedule your vaccinations.
   • For the most up-to-date information, visit travel advice sites such as https://www.russiatourism.ru.
4. 4 Think about who and what you will be traveling with. For example, if you are traveling with an infant, you may not need to purchase a separate seat for the child, but this depends on the airline. However, traveling with a baby usually requires packing additional items, such as a diaper bag, playpen or stroller.

Method 3 of 3: Book your flight with a travel agency

1. 1 Collect all information about the trip. Based on the information received, determine the place and date of the trip, even approximately. Also, make sure you have billing, personal and travel information at your fingertips.
   • For example, you may need the dates of birth and passport numbers of all travelers.
2. 2 Find a travel agency with a good reputation. Ask your friends and family for recommendations if you haven’t used travel agents before. If you can't get personal recommendations, search the Internet for companies with good reviews.
   • Take bad reviews with a grain of salt. Some people post bad reviews simply because they didn't receive something on their trip that goes against company policy.
   • Notice how many good and bad reviews the agency got. If he has a lot of bad reviews lately, it's best not to mess with him.
3. 3 Meet with the travel agent in person or by phone. Depending on the company, you can go there in person or talk to an employee by phone. Make sure the travel agency has competent, friendly and customer-oriented staff. The staff should be able to answer all your questions and have experience booking trips like yours.
   • Prepare all your questions in advance, preferably on a printed sheet of paper. So you will definitely not forget to ask anything.
4. 4 Provide travel agent with travel information. Give him directions and dates. If you do not mind choosing nearby destinations, making multiple transfers or shifting dates, be sure to tell the employee about it. Also, list your preferences and any required services. For example:
   • Tell me where you would like to sit, such as an aisle or a window.
   • Please advise if you need special services such as a wheelchair.
   • Mention if interested in purchasing additional services such as hotel accommodation and car rental.
   • If you need to purchase insurance, be sure to also inform about it.
5. 5 Book your ticket! After receiving the information, the travel agent will provide several flight options for your trip. Choose the option that suits you best and continue the conversation with the employee to complete the flight booking. He will need your personal and billing information.
   • Keep all the information you need close at hand and ready before booking. This will make the process more efficient.
6. 6 Get your receipt and confirmation. The travel agent will most likely send you a receipt and confirmation of your ticket purchase by email. If you do not receive an email shortly after booking, please call the travel agent. You can also request a paper receipt and confirmation if you do not have access to email.
   • Save your confirmation email in a safe folder so you don't accidentally delete it. Print out the letter in case you have technical difficulties closer to the trip.

Tips

• At the time of booking, you can also indicate your food preferences if the airline provides meals on your flight. If you have dietary restrictions such as allergies, be sure to include this information in your request.
• If you need assistance during your flight, such as a wheelchair, be sure to inquire at the time of booking. If you forget to do this when booking your ticket, please contact your travel agency or airline as soon as possible.
• If you are a member of the frequent flyer program, check for flight offers or other ways to book cheaper tickets.

Warnings

• Please read the airline's cancellation, transfer or exchange policy before booking. If you need to postpone or cancel your trip for any reason, you should know how this will affect your ticket. You can also explore options for obtaining travel insurance.
• Be sure to consider connecting times when choosing a flight. Sometimes, cheaper flights are associated with long transfers at the airport, which can be a problem if you are traveling with a child or elderly person.
• If you prefer to book your ticket through a travel agency, search the internet for the information you need in advance. It is better to have an idea of ​​the price of flights in your direction to make sure that the travel agency offers really favorable conditions.
• No one can predict 100% exactly when discounts will start on a flight. Sure, it can be tempting to wait for discounts on flights, but it's still worth booking them as early as possible if your destination and dates are fixed. Waiting until the last minute will cost you more.