Ok, I'm totally clueless.....and it's not regarding my transition LOL

[JennaNicole]

I have never in my life booked a flight ticket, and especially overseas, so maybe someone here can give me a tip on the best course of action. I need to book a flight to Thailand for November, and to be exact, so I arrive there on November 24th. I can't decide whats best to do.....book through a travel agent (which I have never done) or book through a site (which I have only toured)

Heres the run down.

best price
Travelocity.com
Boston to Thailand

2 stop overs

2 1/2 hours and 1 1/2 hours

total travel time 24 hours.....return flight is simlir

$1,350 all taxes and fee.....plus I arrive in the moring 7:30 am

Option 2.

I could call every local travel agent and try to find something simlar in price and time of day arrival (I prefer to arrvie during the day)

my feeler calls , to a couple of different ones I was provided numbers for are 1,500 to arrive at night, and a 1 stop on the return....or 1,600 for the same type to arrive during the day


Now my question is should I continue to look more, or take the best deal for something called Gulf Air at Logan.....I got to get moving and book soon


Any Suggestions?

[Ann Onymous]

There are a ton of answers and the bottom line is that what works for you is what is best...

Personally, I abhor the consolidators and go directly through the airline I have status with that flies to the destination I need.  But then again, I am a miles and upgrade rewards whore...and if you have never had to book a flight, then you may not be in a position where either miles or upgrades matter. 

Years ago, I would occasionally call a local travel agent and see if they had anything better than I could come up with on my own...

[JennaNicole]

There are a ton of answers and the bottom line is that what works for you is what is best...

Personally, I abhor the consolidators and go directly through the airline I have status with that flies to the destination I need.  But then again, I am a miles and upgrade rewards whore...and if you have never had to book a flight, then you may not be in a position where either miles or upgrades matter. 

Years ago, I would occasionally call a local travel agent and see if they had anything better than I could come up with on my own...

Would you happen to know how difficult stop overs are to deal with? My biggest worrie with traveling is getting lost on a stop over and missing a flight    Not sure how those work.......I'm guessing you have to get your bags every time you get off a flight and make your way to a new terminal. But I got a 48 hour window to make plans with money I made avabile for a big ticket purchuse...so hopefully I make the right move with it LOL

[Ann Onymous]

Would you happen to know how difficult stop overs are to deal with? My biggest worrie with traveling is getting lost on a stop over and missing a flight    Not sure how those work.......I'm guessing you have to get your bags every time you get off a flight and make your way to a new terminal. But I got a 48 hour window to make plans with money I made avabile for a big ticket purchuse...so hopefully I make the right move with it LOL

If you are booked from Point A to Point B, the only bags you have to keep up with are your own carry-ons.  Checked luggage is moved by the airline(s) from plane to plane.  If there is a change of terminal, most major airports have a tram/shuttle/bus that will provide transportation within the 'secure zone' so you don't have to mess with security again...

For the lay-over lengths you describe, you may even want to look into whether your ticket includes lounge access (some international tickets will, although you may need to be in first class for the access to kick in) and if you don't get it through teh ticket, then try to buy a day pass.  It gets you away from the masses (spending an hour or more around Ma and Pa Kettle and the Kettle-kabobs is really trying on already frayed nerves).  Added bonus is that drinks are usually free in the lounge...better facilities, and some will also have shower rooms available (and yes, a quick freshing up even on a flight only half-way across the US can be nice). 

[Alexmakenoise]

In response to your first question:

Buying tickets online is, by far, the least expensive.  Use a site like kayak.com to find out which airlines have the cheapest seats during the time you want to travel.  Then go to your chosen airline's web site and buy directly from them.

Would you happen to know how difficult stop overs are to deal with? My biggest worrie with traveling is getting lost on a stop over and missing a flight   

The day before you travel, look at a map of the airports you'll be using, and plan your route.  You might also print out a map of the airport(s) and carry it in your pocket.

The crew of your first flight will also probably tell you where to go before you get off the plane.  They know which flights people are transferring to, and tend to make an announcement about it just before the plane lands.  If there is no such announcement, you can ask. 

.I'm guessing you have to get your bags every time you get off a flight and make your way to a new terminal.

Only if you're entering a new country.  Then you do have to claim your checked baggage, go through Customs, and check it again.  If you're in the same country you boarded the plane in, your bags will be transferred.

[spacial]

A thought.

Have you checked that you have/need a visa?

You must do this yourself. Do not rely upon the hospital or assume they will do it.

Also, check up on any restrictions on entry. Some countries have funny laws like not permitting everyone to own a gun. Many demand inoculations several weeks before you go and that you carry a certificate,

Hopefully nothing. But worth being sure.

[JennaNicole]

In response to your first question:

Buying tickets online is, by far, the least expensive.  Use a site like kayak.com to find out which airlines have the cheapest seats during the time you want to travel.  Then go to your chosen airline's web site and buy directly from them.

The day before you travel, look at a map of the airports you'll be using, and plan your route.  You might also print out a map of the airport(s) and carry it in your pocket.

The crew of your first flight will also probably tell you where to go before you get off the plane.  They know which flights people are transferring to, and tend to make an announcement about it just before the plane lands.  If there is no such announcement, you can ask. 

Only if you're entering a new country.  Then you do have to claim your checked baggage, go through Customs, and check it again.  If you're in the same country you boarded the plane in, your bags will be transferred.

Thanks you much for the input here. I had no idea about the entering a new country thing. I guess getting the bags twice in between flights will be the biggest pain. With all those luggage claims I guess I would be best advised to keep anything of value in my carry on bag. But all good things to know, especially  if I want to pay more for a 1 stop flight.

[JennaNicole]

A thought.

Have you checked that you have/need a visa?

You must do this yourself. Do not rely upon the hospital or assume they will do it.

Also, check up on any restrictions on entry. Some countries have funny laws like not permitting everyone to own a gun. Many demand inoculations several weeks before you go and that you carry a certificate,

Hopefully nothing. But worth being sure.

I was told that I don't need to apply for a visa unless I plan to stay for more then 30 days, in which case I would need to apply for a 60 day visa. So I guess I'm good there cause I plan to be back before it expires.......hopefully

[Cindy]

As a first timer I would suggest going to a good travel agency, OK might cost a bit more but you will have peace of mind. Preferably a well known reputable company and explain it to the consultant.
They will do the rest.

Do you really want the extra worry?

Cindy

[grrl1nside]

I'm with Cindy on this one. It might be worth the extra cash if it will make you feel more comfortable. Use them to the hilt, what documents do you need, what attractions and resources are there around where you are going, etc. etc.

Once you've done your first trip and it goes smoothly, you will be hooked. After that, you'll know the ins and outs of travel and will be able to do it all by your lonesome. The one thing I would say is make sure that your travel agent does use some of the budget airlines. I hate it when they are locked into a handful or airlines or charter companies. Doing your homework online on prices will mean that you will know what is completely out-of-line before you pull out your credit card.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

[JennaNicole]

As a first timer I would suggest going to a good travel agency, OK might cost a bit more but you will have peace of mind. Preferably a well known reputable company and explain it to the consultant.
They will do the rest.

Do you really want the extra worry?

Cindy

No, I don't want the extra worry....trust me lol I'm starting to think it's best to pay a little more for a 1 stop flight. The travel agents are a mess though.....I had to get called back 3 times cause she would not figure the fights on the phone  So I'm not sure that's even the best route.

[JennaNicole]

I'm with Cindy on this one. It might be worth the extra cash if it will make you feel more comfortable. Use them to the hilt, what documents do you need, what attractions and resources are there around where you are going, etc. etc.

Once you've done your first trip and it goes smoothly, you will be hooked. After that, you'll know the ins and outs of travel and will be able to do it all by your lonesome. The one thing I would say is make sure that your travel agent does use some of the budget airlines. I hate it when they are locked into a handful or airlines or charter companies. Doing your homework online on prices will mean that you will know what is completely out-of-line before you pull out your credit card.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

Well this a surgery trip, so I really won't get to enjoy the surrounding till a few weeks after I arrive. But today was brutal trying to book this thing. I called a bunch of travel agents and I searched a bunch of sites, all to come to the concusion that I should send more and get a 1 stop flight instead of a 2 stop flight.....just the thought of one less flight made me more at ease......and even though it cost 450 more bucks....I said....Ok, lets do it. So I got to the bank to extended my limit on my debit card to cover it, and I get home to find the price went up 130$ in the last 20 minutes ROFL.  So I got nothing done today  I have no idea how these online sites work, and what days are the best to buy, but when I started to check out before the price worked....then of course....things changed....I guess I'll figure it out tomorrow

[Ann Onymous]

weekends are notorious for being higher airfares...I used to have the best luck on Tuesdays into Wednesday when I did my own booking through the airline websites...

[JennaNicole]

weekends are notorious for being higher airfares...I used to have the best luck on Tuesdays into Wednesday when I did my own booking through the airline websites...

Thanks for the tip there.....I'll try that.....of course my bank must be getting tired of having me come in for these 48 hour windows on my bank card LOL

[grrl1nside]

This is going to sound crazy, but I'm sure that someone told me that Tuesday in the middle of the night is the best prices. Honestly, I don't know if that is true or not... Must be on the web somewhere.

[JennaNicole]

This is going to sound crazy, but I'm sure that someone told me that Tuesday in the middle of the night is the best prices. Honestly, I don't know if that is true or not... Must be on the web somewhere.

LOL, I heard the same. But I booked it! As clueless as I am I think I got it done correctly....key word on "think" But I booked through Orbiz.com after weighing all my options. They have price assurance, and refund you the different if anyone buys it cheaper. Certainly cost a bit more then I wanted to spend, but the fact that it's a well known air line, and that there is not the same worrie of stop overs and a shorter flight time, I think I made the right choice.....now I just have to get all the other stuff in order....starting with a passport