Sites such as orbitz.com, priceline.com, or ebookers.com allow you to make flight reservations yourself. Some of the advantages of this method include searching for the cheapest prices by varying your options such as what airline, the time of the flight, or the date of the flight. Using discounted sites, you do not have to pay an agency fee. Most of these sites even offer coupons for hotel accommodations or rental cars if needed. A disadvantage of online booking is if there are specific questions about a flight, there are no direct agents to speak to. However, most discount sites offer a 1-800 line for general questions. You may also spend several minutes to a few hours searching for the best deal, and if you don't have the time, or patience, this could be an inconvenience.
Travel agents come in two forms, in person and virtual. Virtual agents do the exact same job as a traditional travel agent (find itineraries, book flights) only online. Due to fewer overhead costs of a virtual agent (staff, rent) the fee that is charged to the customer is less than the fee of a traditional agent. Virtual agents are obtained at such online sites as http://www.getvirtualagent.com/. Using either of these methods allows you to find the best price for airline tickets without having to do all the legwork. This is simple and convenient. If specific questions arise regarding your flight, you are able to direct them to one person. A disadvantage of using an agent is possible miscommunication between the customer and the agent resulting in inaccurate itineraries, which take up extra time and energy to correct.
Other than going to their counter at the airport, the best way to book directly with an airline is through its 800 number. The best thing about going to the airline directly is that you speak to a reservation specialist with the airline. If you have specific questions regarding their policy or flights, they are more than equipped to address your concerns. You know exactly what you're getting without having to worry about miscommunication or internet glitches. This method, though, comes with a cost. Normally, if booked with the actual airline, there are no discounts offered, and you may wind up spending hundreds of dollars in extra costs.
If you have the time and patience, try all three. This guarantees you get the exact flight you want for the best price.
