Looking for good airfares ????

[juio99]

Since most are or will be looking for best prices on airline tickets, I thought the below might be of some interest.  The first three listed have the largest volume of business.  

The farechase site is very helpful because it searches on many other sites; not sure how many.

The imandi site is very useful because it puts out your request to several travel agencies who then send you e-mails with their quotes for the flights needed.  The remainder are just listed in alpha order.

I have purchased tickets from each of the first  5 on the list with good results.

One thing I have learned is that you have to recheck all of your options each time you plan a new trip.  The place that gave the best price one time will not give the best price the next time . . . . .  ad. inf.

JR

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www.expedia.com
www.orbitz.com
www.travelocity.com
www.farechase.com
www.imandi.com
www.1travel.com
www.airfarenow.com
www.airtravel.net
www.americanexpress.com
www.bestfares.com
www.biztravel.com
www.byebye.com
www.cheapairlines.com
www.cheaptickets.com
www.digitalcity.com/travel
www.economytravel.com
www.etravnet.com
www.frommers.com
www.getthere.com
www.go-russia.com   (Andrei at Peace Travel)
www.gotorussia.net   (Alex)
www.hotwire.com
www.interworldtravel.com
www.itasoftware.com
www.justfares.com
www.lowestfare.com
www.mytravelclub.com
www.netflights.com
www.qixo.com
www.revelex.com
www.russiahouse.net  (Igor)
www.scopetravel.com (Ukraine specialists?)
www.skypasstravel.com
www.sky-tours.com
www.smarterliving.com
www.superfare.com
www.thetrip.com
www.ticketplanet.com
www.ticketsdirect.com
www.travel2russia.com (Red Star Travel)
www.travelnow.com
www.travelscape.com
www.trip.com
www.tripmakers.com
www.tss.com
www.uniglobe.com
www.webflyer.com
www.worldwideair.com
www.yahootravel.com

For the ‘no-frills’ airlines in USA:
www.sidestep.com

For the ‘no-frills’ airlines in Europe:
www.darraghsmyth.net/flights/europe

For information on worldwide flight arrivals and departures:
www.flightarrivals.com

[SteveM]

... in response to Looking for good airfares ?, posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

This is a nice big long list, but if you are going Aeroflot, many people have been happy that I referred them to my agent, Neli Hadjiyska, at Glavs Travel in NYC (neli@glavs.com).  I have heard of better fares, but never seen them...

[juio99]

... in response to Should put Glavs Travel on Your List, posted by SteveM on Jun 15, 2002

Steve, I checked directly with Aeroflot in New York for flights from Moscow to Antalya Turkey for April.  Tickets were available for $260.  Then I called Glavs and got quotes of $740 for the same tickets.  Ouch.

JR

[BrianN]

... in response to Looking for good airfares ?, posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

In my home town, the travel agents couldn't find JFK in their computer with two hands and a flashlight.  I'm not about to even THINK to challenge them with my needs for a cheap flight to russia.

This is where it's different.... If I was living in Seattle, I WOULD use red star travel, who would be my local agent.  

And everybody in this office specializes in FSU travel.

Unfortunately the internet has the habit of paralyzing me to the point of ridiculous confusion when trying to save 100 bucks, so when I decided to get over it and just go, I threw in the towel and called these guys.  

In virtually every scenario that I had tried to get to Novosibirsk doing it my way on the internet, the best that I could come up with was over 1300, (note this is on May 1, looking for a flight in less than 30 days - not Dec 1 - BIG difference in price structure), and that was not straight through, but using separate iteneraries. (I pinged Bubba about this in email a few times over the months)

Ok, so I wanted some hand holding and even as an experienced traveller I was at my wits end and decided to let someone else do the dirty work for me.  Within 2 hours of contacting Red Star I received an email with a complete itenerary that was perfect.  The price including visa support was 1292, and it saved me 2 days in travel time compared to the best that I could work out for myself on the internet.  To this day I still cannot believe that NONE of my attempts to find flights (the way) to get to Novosibirsk... had me meeting up with Aeroflot in Dulles.

I think that both methods can work, and if red star was in my home town, then I could justify the statement of using a local travel agent.  

Heck, I'm just glad these folks are all russian and knew what I needed and got it for me.  One less headache!

[Apk1]

... in response to Juio, you and Apk are Both correct actua..., posted by BrianN on Jun 13, 2002

My travel agent is not Russian...but has a ton of experience traveling throughout Eastern Europe.

I do not boast I am an expert, but not many can say they have more computer or internet experience than I do...I go back to the mid 80's "before" the world wide web and pictures and graphics days when all there was were bulliten boards....when the modems were slug slow, and the pentium was just a gleam in Intels eye.  

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Juio, you and Apk are Both correct a..., posted by Apk1 on Jun 14, 2002

you said to consult your "experienced" travel agent.

....

[Apk1]

... in response to Looking for good airfares ?, posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

My advise is to use the internet price as a starting point, then go and visit your local "experienced" travel agent.
I've learned alot about ticket prices and the procedures to aquire the lowest price, the internet does not give you the "in Person" questions you can ask to educate yourself and get the least restrictions or layovers.
At least with a travel agent you can explore different airlines and itineraries. The internet search engines do not always show the best fares..every time, and limit the search to seat availability in only a certain class restriction wheras a travel agent can instantly check seat availability and give you your options.
Every time I traveled to Russia or Europe, my tickets were usually several hundred dollars less than from guys who used the internet to aquire thier tickets.

[tfcrew]

... in response to Re: Looking for good airfares ?, posted by Apk1 on Jun 13, 2002

We had a GOOD airline agent here on the board. Married a lady from St. Pete. I believe he got stiffed by some outfit and went out of business. Could beat the crud out of these internet prices. Agents have big broker operations that generate volume.
I also think that the airline industry is really hurting more than the public knows.

[Dan]

... in response to I , on the other hand,  do agree..., posted by tfcrew on Jun 13, 2002

Write me by private e-mail if you like, but I'd like to know who it was that went out of business. I hope it is not who I *think* it was.

- Dan

[juio99]

... in response to I , on the other hand,  do agree..., posted by tfcrew on Jun 13, 2002

Why are you ignoring the fact that I point out how imandi is a web site that connects you with actual agents who offer you low prices?

JR

[tfcrew]

... in response to Re: I , on the other hand,  do agree..., posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

We also had another RW guy who did airlines on the board.
I forgot who it was, but he has disappeared too
You did list a lot of sites in your post.
We thank you for this.
Karl

[juio99]

... in response to Re: Looking for good airfares ?, posted by Apk1 on Jun 13, 2002

Internet sites can be 'in person.'  They all have phone numbers to call if you want more info about particular flights, etc.

You say: "At least with a travel agent you can explore different airlines and itineraries."

This is a laugh.  On the Internet sites there are unlimited different airlines and itineraries.  By putting in different intermediate cities, etc., you can get even more combinations.  Those who want to can take the time on the internet sites; much more time than a travel agent will ever take.

You say:  "Every time I traveled to Russia or Europe, my tickets were usually several hundred dollars less than from guys who used the internet to aquire thier tickets."

Another big laugh.  Sure if someone takes the first fare they see on a particular web site.  As I pointed out, the imandi site sends your request to real life travel agents who then e-mail you quotes.  So for those who like to deal with travel agents, this is the way to go; and it gets you directly in touch with an agent who has found you the best price known.

If you have no time, or are computer illiterate, or like someone to hold you by the hand, or want to trust everything to someone else, then stick with your hometown travel agent.

If the above does not apply, then head for the internet sites.

JR

[wilmc]

... in response to I completely disagree with most all of y..., posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

I agree with one exception.

The internet sites are killing the travel agents.  In my experience for straight forward point to point and return they can't be beat.

But, if you are trying to put together a trip with multiple destinations, the internet can be a real pain.  

Also it can take a lot of time to find the best fare.  I have actually often found the best price to be on the individual airlines own site.  Always after I have spent the time checking Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity.

For travel within Europe try "Opodo."

Word of advice, when you buy your ticket do not look back.  Ticket prices change dynamically and invariably when you check again you will find a cheaper fare and be pissed.

[Jack]

... in response to Looking for good airfares ?, posted by juio99 on Jun 13, 2002

Thanks.