airline tickets?

Question

i have never bought airline tickets.....want to go to new york this summer for vacation....where is the best place to buy relatively inexpensive airline tickets and is there anything i should be aware of when purchasing them?

to be even more specific....i have never flown before so i dont know anything about anything when it comes to airlines or air travel

from jia.....1week......in may or june

Answer 1

From where? Staying how long? Without knowing this, everything else is just guesses. Please edit your question to add this important info.

----- thanks for updating and adding JIA

I assume that's Jacksonville. (I'm used to JAX as the airport code, but maybe it changed and I missed the memo!)

Try to get a nonstop flight. The best fare I see currently is a very nice $138 roundtrip on Continental nonstop to Newark Airport, and JetBlue nonstop to JFK Airport. This is for departures Mon-Fri in May or June, including a Saturday night stay, and with advance purchase. This is also a sale fare, which means it likely won't be cheaper in the future, and more likely it will go up in price. So, to get this really good fare, you need to book before the sale ends--and that's probably this weekend.

I also see Delta and American at only $148 roundtrip, also sale fares ending soon, but these go to JFK and LaGuardia airports.

There are 3 main airports for "NYC". Those are JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Airport. All 3 have good and easy access to the city.

Among these offers, I'd probably choose JetBlue because they have more comfy seating, and DirecTV at each seat. Best, and cheapest, to book direct from the airline, http://www.jetblue.com Remember--sale fares don't last forever! (book soon!) The airline website walks you through it--you just a credit card to book.

Answer 2

You can use sites like Expedia, Orbitz, etc. for your tickets, just be very careful when you book with these sites. If you make a mistake or need to change, they usually aren't much help. Also, be sure to check directly with the airline to see how much their tickets are, many times they will be about the same and even in some cases a little lower than the sites that claim to be discounters. Then, you are working directly with the company and don't have to worry quite as much about having problems, they are usually much easier to deal with.

Since you sound like you may be a little worried about buying the tickets, another option would be a travel agent. However, if you are wanting to save money, this is really not the way to go. Airlines no longer offer commission to the agency for selling tickets, and I believe they have to buy special equipment and/or license to sell the tickets which costs a lot of money, so they have to add a fee on. It is generally $50 or so, but the initial ticket may be a little higher. But, if it makes you feel more comfortable, it may be worth it.


Just be very careful when you buy your tickets that you are getting what you want. Double check your times, seats, etc. There are fees for changing tickets and things like that, so to save money make sure you know what you need and then double check what you have selected is correct.


Good luck! Enjoy New York

Answer 3

I very much disagree with the previous poster who says that buying direct from the airlines is the most expensive way.

I have found that time and again (and I've been traveling every week for the last six months) that I get my best deals by far directly from the airline. Every time I have looked it is always less expensive than going through Expedia (which the poster held out as the better bargain).

For your first purchase, find a friend who flies some and ask them to sit with you while you book your travel. That will give you reassurance. Or you could use a travel agent. Yes, yes, they charge more... but for your first flight, you may well find that their knowledge, expertise, and advice to be well worth the fee.

Answer 4

Do not buy from the airlines directly, their tickets are always most expensive. The best place is online, and the cheapest around is expedia, although you might want to customize your ticket. For instance, a refundable ticket had it's advantages, if for any reason you cannot go.

Answer 5

Besides the sites mentioned check to see if southwest flies from your nearby airport http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/routemap_dyn.html?ref=wwf_fgn
They are relatively inexpensive. Also try US airlines http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/routemap.aspx

Answer 6

umm try the airline you want to fly with. such as delta go to delta.com or american airlines is aa.com or you can use things such as expedia or travelocity so yeah it all depends on where you are flying from.

Answer 7

Check out www.kayak.com