When planning a trip, finding affordable flight tickets is crucial as it significantly impacts your overall travel budget. In this context, using online travel agencies (OTAs) like ly.com or GotoGate can help you find tickets at great prices and save on your travel expenses.
However, online travel agencies have certain unique characteristics that differ from standard airline ticket bookings. Did you know that it’s important not just to jump at the low price, but also to carefully complete the booking process?
In this article, based on my own past mistakes, I’ll introduce five essential points to thoroughly check when booking discount flight tickets through online travel agencies.
My Past Mistakes
Previously, I booked a discount flight ticket through an online travel agency. Attracted by the price, I quickly completed the reservation but neglected several important checks. As a result, I faced various issues: the ticket was delayed, causing anxiety right before departure time; I was almost denied boarding at the check-in counter; and the checked baggage option I thought I had applied for wasn’t properly registered, forcing me to pay additional fees. Based on these experiences, I’ve compiled a list of items to check in advance.
I’ve reported on my numerous past failures in the articles below, so if you’re considering booking flight tickets, please check these out as well!
Unlike regular booking systems that issue tickets immediately, some online travel agencies may take time to issue tickets. Most services state that tickets will be issued within a few hours to 48 hours, but especially with discount tickets, issuance may be delayed as they might use special methods to procure the tickets. Therefore, it’s important to check how long ticket issuance takes before making a reservation. If the issuance is delayed, there’s a possibility you might not be able to board your planned flight, so make your reservation with plenty of time before your departure date.
There are also cases where the desired itinerary cannot be arranged, resulting in a “booking failure.” Considering such risks, I recommend completing your ticket purchase at least one week before your planned date.
2. Check Baggage Regulations
Baggage regulations vary by airline. When booking through an online travel agency, always check the baggage regulations. Especially with discount tickets, there are often strict limitations on the weight and size of baggage. To avoid paying excess baggage fees, make sure to thoroughly research in advance.
Additionally, there have been cases where checked baggage options were thought to be correctly registered, but the agency made an error in the order and they weren’t properly registered. After completing your reservation, make sure to check the status of baggage option registration from the official management page.
3. Confirm Receipt of the Official Booking Reference
After completing your reservation, before departure, make sure you receive the official booking reference from the airline. Don’t just rely on the confirmation email from the online travel agency; it’s essential to verify that your reservation is reflected in the airline’s reservation system. Without the official booking reference, there’s a possibility you might not be able to board your flight.
The reservation number included in the email sent immediately after purchasing the ticket from the agency is just an internal reference number for the agency. Don’t let your guard down until you receive the official booking reference, usually a six-character alphanumeric code needed for reservation inquiries!
4. Check That Your Reservation Is Correctly Displayed on the Official Reservation Management Page
Most airlines have a reservation lookup system using the booking reference and last name
Once you receive the booking reference, access the reservation management page on the airline’s official website to confirm that your reservation is correctly displayed. Typically, you can look up your reservation by entering the booking reference and your last name.
Due to system errors or input mistakes by the online travel agency, your reservation might not be correctly reflected. By checking on the official website, you can prevent potential issues. If you cannot look up your reservation, there might be an error, so contact the agency well in advance.
5. Verify That the Registered Passport and Contact Information Are Your Own
Once you can access the management screen, double-check that the information entered during the reservation is correct. In particular, errors in contact information or passport details can cause problems during check-in. Also, accurate information is important as it may not be possible to contact you in case of an emergency.
Often, the agency representative’s phone number or email address might be registered instead of your own, so for peace of mind, manually change it to your contact information.
Summary
When booking discount flight tickets through online travel agencies, it’s necessary to check several important points beyond just the price. By checking how long ticket issuance takes, baggage regulations, confirmation of the official booking reference, display on the reservation management page, and the accuracy of registered information, you can avoid troubles and enjoy a comfortable trip. Learn from past mistakes, prepare thoroughly, and enjoy a wonderful journey.
