Need Guidance on Purchasing Airline Tickets Online for The First Time

No Username on 27/02/2020 - 11:23

Hi Everyone, I just need some guidance on how to purchase airline tickets online. I haven’t been overseas in a very long time and the last time I went we purchased our ticket via an agent. But now we want to purchase the tickets ourselves online as it will cheaper. We will be getting a return flight deal from MEL to LAX and LAX to MEL as well as LAX to YYZ and YYZ to LAX.

I found the deal I want on IWTF and it has directed me to eDreams. I’m happy with the price and am ready to pay. Do I need a visa beforehand or do I get it after I get the ticket? I’m a complete noob at this. I also believe that you don’t need a visa if you are traveling for 90 days or less right?

I’m also told that we should deny all insurance as most credit card companies provide them for you right?

Also, another question is, if we want to sit together we will have to book the seats we want?

I have some knowledge about these things but just want to double-check as I will be spending thousands of dollars and don't want to be denied on the flight or having to return home for some reason because we are missing some sort of paper work.

Thanks in advance.

Travel Airfare

Comments

  • veetor on 27/02/2020 - 11:33

    You need an ESTA instead of a visa - you can get it after you book. I guess there shouldn't be any issues unless you're denied for some reason.

    Insurance - read your credit card PDS.

    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 11:38

      Thank you so much. This is the only paperwork I have to do to get into the US Right? I would assume Canada has something similar to the ESTA.

      • Pecan on 27/02/2020 - 11:45
        +2

        Yes Canada has a similar thing, consult the Smart Traveller website to find out exactly what the requirements are.

    • Pecan on 27/02/2020 - 11:43
      +1

      ESTA assuming you’re an Australian passport holder.

      Have you checked if the same flights aren’t similar in price on the airline’s website? Some third party TAs can be dodgy. Whilst I have no personal experience with eDreams, I would prob avoid if I didn’t need to go through them.

      Generally you can do seat selection after purchasing tickets - but this can vary between airlines.

      Ensure that there is ample time between your international flights and LAX/YYZ ones, if you are connecting on the same day. If you are connecting in the same day, safest way to organise is MEL-YYZ and YYZ-MEL (rather than 2 separate bookings).

      • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 12:26

        Checked with Qantas and they are charging $200 extra. The plan was to spend 1 week in the US then go to Canada for 2 weeks then go back to US for the last week. Thanks for the help.

    • p1 ama on 27/02/2020 - 13:11

      You need an ESTA instead of a visa - you can get it after you book.

      Just to make sure - I think this comment assumes that you're an AU citizen, but if you're not, you'll need to check whether you'll need a visa.

      • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 16:55

        To confirm I am an AU citizen.

  • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 11:38
    • firstly i would google and read reviews on edreams whether you want to proceed with that company
    • you don't need to get a visa before you buy your tickets but will require ESTA paymnent and certificate before departure
    • if it is just 2 you don't need to preselect your seats unless there is a specific reason you need to sit in certain spot (just go to the check in counter earlier) if you are travelling with more people and want to sit together then preselecting seat would be a good idea. but they come at a cost.
    • go to flight centre with your cost and see if they can match
    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 11:41

      Thanks for the heads up, definitely will not be going with edreams. Might just go to Flight Centre so they can do it all for me.

  • toniyellow on 27/02/2020 - 11:39
    +5

    Be aware, particularly at this difficult time for the travel industry, that using an intermediary like eDreams has more risk than booking directly with an airline.

    Fly365 was a similar online travel agent - they went broke last week
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/24/fly365-onli…
    Hundreds of thousands of people had used them successfully - up until their last month or two of trade when they went broke, and those travellers who booked just before the collapse are out of pocket.

    You don't know for sure that eDreams or anyone similar is not a month away from collapse. The gamble may pay off and you save money. It may not. If this is your first time booking travel yourself, familiarise yourself with these risks.

    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 11:42

      Thanks for the warning. Might just go with an agent like flight centre to be on the safe side.

      • Cave Fire on 27/02/2020 - 12:03
        +1

        You can use the websites to get flight numbers, times and rough prices. Then use the agents to match the price.

        • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 12:22

          Thanks

          • Techie4066 on 28/02/2020 - 17:54

            @No Username: Google Flights is very helpful for finding flights within your parameters and displays all the prices. It provides the most reliable ways to book.

      • Bargain80 on 27/02/2020 - 14:33
        +3

        the safest option is to book directly with the airlines.
        if you still want to book through third party, make sure to pay by credit card and/or your travel insurance cover it if the company goes bust.

    • Almost Banned on 27/02/2020 - 12:27
      +3

      I booked with Fly365 exactly one month ago.
      The booking showed as 'confirmed' or 'reserved' or similar with Singapore Air for about two weeks. That basically meant it had been booked - but not paid for.
      Finally after hassling them it went to 'ticketed' - official confirmation.
      Then I just saw the news the other day.
      Man we got lucky.

  • Ughhh on 27/02/2020 - 11:43
    +3

    I’m also told that we should deny all insurance as most credit card companies provide them for you right?

    Not all credit cards have complimentary travel insurance, usually only platinum and higher have it. If you're a noob, do not assume, check your cc PDS.

    Like all other insurance products (car, house etc) not insurance policies are the same. Check the PDS if it suits you, you must read it yourself, don't rely on others to tell you, if you don't understand, call the policy makers.

    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 12:22

      Thanks. I'll check with my dad since he is the card holder.

      • Presence on 27/02/2020 - 12:27
        +3

        Even if the CC insurance is valid, it's often crap. The fact its not even your card is a concern. Travel insurance might be as little as $100-200 for your trip. Don't cheap out.

      • Cave Fire on 27/02/2020 - 12:36
        +1

        If it's CBA (you don't have to disclose yes or no) then it needs to be activated. Then there's a 72hr activation period where no claims are covered. This knocks out what most people claim for unless you activate three days early. This can be done in commbank or you can ring them.

        • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 12:40

          Should I just activate one plan or all 3. I have ANZ Platnum, Combank Diamond Award, and the 21-degree card.

          • Cave Fire on 27/02/2020 - 12:52

            @No Username: Generally, you can get multiple insurances with no issue. The included insurances wouldn't be that much apart or could even be the same policies. As people have said, a better policy would be like $80 or so depending on how long the holiday is. America has a reputation for big claims as everything is privatized. There was this random thing where my parents had to pay $75 at the Airport to get their luggage loaded from one plane to a domestic one.

          • Ughhh on 27/02/2020 - 13:02
            +1

            @No Username: Most cards require you to purchase the returns tickets on that card in order to be eligible for complimentary insurance.
            Again

            1. Check how to be eligible and/or activate the insurance
            2. Check and compare what is covered, how much is covered and excess
            3. Think about what you're going to do on your trip and if the coverage is enough. Ie. if you're going to be doing extreme sports, it might not cover you.
      • Sanami on 28/02/2020 - 09:47

        Is your dad travelling with you? If not it won't cover you. We have always used the travel insurance attached to our platinum visa but always check the PDS before each trip. As of November last year our card's platinum insurance cover has gone through an overhaul and we only get basic coverage now - have to pay extra for the coverage we used to get. We are using a different insurance provider our next trip.

        Oh … and make sure you're covered if you have to cancel the trip due to an epidemic :)

  • donga100 on 27/02/2020 - 12:46

    What are your exact travel dates for each flight and preferred airline/s? Maybe I can find a better deal.

    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 16:48

      I'm Traveling From The 16/05/2020 To 14/06/2020.
      Preferred Airlines is Qantas but I don't mind American airline or United.
      Preferred flight is 14 to 16 hours.

      Cheapest price I could find was $715.

      Thanks

      • donga100 on 29/02/2020 - 12:08

        And the dates/price for the LAX-YYZ flights? It may be cheaper to combine them on one ticket which then has other advantages too.

  • hasselbladsnapper on 27/02/2020 - 14:32

    Find the best online price, and then visit an agent or 2/3 and see if they price match. If anything heads pear shaped you have an Agent to help, we have done this in the past with our Hello World agent. We only buy local flights direct via online!.

    I would not rely on credit card insurance, take out a proper policy.

  • Meho2026 on 27/02/2020 - 15:38
    +1

    Try comparing a multi city booking with 2 separate returns.
    Look on United Airlines website too.
    Search Skyscanner as well but as above, watch out for the dodgy online agents, some are OK though eg Aunt Betty is a Flight Centre brand.

    If you do use an agent and not the airline direct, when you get your confirmation search for the airline booking reference and log on to manage booking on the airline website to make sure everything is OK.
    If you have a frequent flyer account with Qantas or Virgin, put that in your booking with them or their partner airline. That way the flight usually shows up in your frequent flyer account.
    You can sign up for Qantas frequent flyer for free through Woolworths rewards, Virgin velocity is free to join.

    If both passengers are on one booking, you will be seated together. However one of you will be in the dreaded middle seat, have a think about on the overnight flights. Some people prefer to sit across from each other in aisle seats.
    Check seat guru or one of the other sites for the best seats on the aircraft, some seats have no window, limited recline or are next to galley and toilets so there is a lot of noise, smells and foot traffic.
    If you do decide to preselect a seat, you usually have to pay extra, factor in those costs when comparing different airlines, some charge more than others and it can significantly affect the total price.
    If you decide not to preselect your seat, check when online check in opens, usually 24-72 hours before flight, you can often select a seat for free then but dont assume that because on some airlines, some fare classes (cheap tickets) never allow seat selection until airport checkin counter.
    If you have a special diet, order it when you book your flight.

    Using a credit card to pay for the ticket usually protects you if the company goes bust.
    Credit card travel insurance is fine, for the USA, its the medical insurance thats the most important. If your dad is the card holder, the included insurance may not cover you if he is not travelling with you.

    Make sure you are familiar with this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cards_with_no_overseas_tra…
    and have all the right cards to reduce fees eg ING orange everyday or Citibank Plus for getting cash when you are away.

    • No Username on 27/02/2020 - 16:53

      Thanks for the information. Might sign up for my own 21 Degree card or as other people have suggested getting a proper plan. Will also check out seat guru. Thanks.

  • Shae on 28/02/2020 - 17:04

    My suggestion is go onto the airlines that you like the flights. Book return mel/lax and return laX/yyz. Return tickets are the cheapest way to go.

    Make sure your credit card actually offers travel insurance. Not all do. Then you have to pay for your flights with that credit card.

    Canada visa is called eta- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/se…

    America is esta - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

    Watch out for 3rd party site that do the visa for you and charge you money. They make their sites look the official ones

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join