Reflections on Purchasing Tickets

Purchasing tickets was a strenuous process. I learned a lot of things I will remember to use when I travel abroad in the future. Here are some things I learned:

• The direct website can have just as good flights, if not cheaper flights, as airline saver websites such as Expedia, Orbitz, etc.
• Buy your tickets as early as possible. I had thought that the price for tickets would go down once the World Cup in South Africa was over but it just continued on a steady increase since June. I was looking a round-trip prices of around $1200 and I should have realized that is a great price to travel internationally.
• If you have any questions, just call the airline/website directly. It’s better to hear/clarify certain questions you have than look on the website and create you r own interpretation of a rule.
• Expect the flight prices to change ALL THE TIME. It really is disheartening to see flight prices fluctuate across the board.
• Research the range price to travel to your destination. You can realize how low can a round-trip price and recognize when a flight is way to high.
• Be aware of time zone changes when flying internationally. Make sure that you are arriving on the day you want. You may not realize it but you could arrive one day later or earlier than expected. I was lucky enough to book tickets in which I will arrive and leave Cape Town on the exact days listed.
• Yapta.com; I thought this website had the most straightforward and cleanest interface in searching for flights. But in the end going direct to the airline is the best way to go.
• Don’t book flights on the phone. The prices online are cheaper than what the customer service representative is looking at on the airline system.
• Be aware of baggage fees. In this time where airlines are starting to introduce fees for services that previously were free could expense you a big bill. This could be a major factor in picking your flight.
• You can pick your seats on a flight once you book the flight. I was a little confused in booking the flight because I thought they would prompt me before I purchased a ticket to pick my seat.
• If ambitious, try and fly as group. Groups fly for less.