![]() However, many large airlines will hold a reservation for 24 hours or so without payment. Once you decide when and where you want to go, and which airline you want to use, you will usually have to purchase a ticket in order to hold a confirmed seat. Careful comparison shopping among airlines does take time, but it can lead to real savings. Differences in air fares can be substantial.Fares change all the time, and if the fare you paid goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference (or give you a transportation credit for that amount). ![]() After you buy your ticket, call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to check the fare.You may also have to pay any difference in air fares if your fare-type is not available on the new flight. Many fares also have a penalty for changing flights or dates even if you don't want a refund. In many cases you can apply your ticket to another trip in the future, but there may be a steep fee. Most discount fares are non-refundable if you buy one of these fares and you later cancel your trip, you will not get your money back.Ask whether your ticket will be good on another carrier at no extra charge if your flight is canceled or experiences a lengthy delay, and whether the first airline will pay for meals or a hotel room during the wait. If you have a connection involving two airlines, ask whether your bags will be transferred.Airlines include information on these fees on their web sites. Be aware that many airlines charge extra for checked baggage, advance seat assignments, meals, or other services.Also, a connection (change of planes) or a one-stop flight is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop. In a large metropolitan area, the fare could depend on which airport you use. Some airlines may have discounts that others don't offer.Flights for holiday periods may sell out months ahead of time, although in many cases you can find a seat if you elect to travel on the holiday itself, e.g. If you had decided against a trip because the price you wanted was not available when you first inquired, try again, especially just before the advance-purchase deadline. On the other hand, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available later. The real bargains often sell out very quickly. ![]() Some airlines set aside only a few seats on each flight at the lower rates. If you are shopping by phone or in person, after you get a fare quote ask the reservations agent if you could save even more by leaving a day earlier or later, or by taking a different flight on the same day. When searching flights and fares on the Web you can usually specify whether your dates are flexible, and in the search results the fares are generally listed from lowest to highest. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (particularly midweek or Saturday) or certain hours of the day (e.g., early-morning flights or overnight "red eyes").
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