With personal computers becoming as common as a coffee maker and almost universal access to the internet, airlines are well up on the curve, most US and major foreign carriers allow flight tickets to be bought online.
Although the airlines have their own web sites where tickets can be purchased, the wise traveler also will visit sites that online bookings and search engines that help in finding the right flight, to the right destination, at the right time and the right price. The first thing to do when you have to buy flight tickets is shop around, there are many web sites that offer this service and some have less expensive flights than others.
Fares can be very different depending on the date and time of the flight. The fares vary depending on the number of stops, the layover time and the airport where this happens. When you are comparing fares do not lose sight of this, you may be lulled into thinking that this is the best deal because it is the cheapest but it involves layovers and travel times that are not convenient.
If it suits your schedule, try to book a ticket that leaves early in the morning, this normally ensures on-time departure and arrival as the traditional back-up has not had time to form. Make sure you choose a flight that gives you ample time to connect to the next flight, do not inadvertently chose flights that are ridiculously tight connections, one hick-up and you can miss the next flight. Many of the independent travel sites that sell flight tickets have it set up in such a way that you are alerted if the connection time is unreasonably short or conversely, unreasonably long.
Make sure you are fully aware of any and all caveats that apply. Most sites charge a booking fee and have restrictions that apply to flight changes and cancellations. Although you may get a good deal through an independent travel site do not discount the carriers own site, they often have deals available that other sites are not privy to.
Always make the reservation in the name that appears on the credit card that is being used to pay for the flight. You will be issued an E-ticket that you can print out at home and there is little left to do except be at the airport in plenty of time to check-in. many airports today have check-in kiosks that allow you to miss the long lines that are endemic at check-in counters.
