Originally Posted by
CarsTrainsPlanes
Usually I look up tickets on a wholesaler's website (Travelocity, Expedia or Orbitz) and then I go to the website of the airline who is offering the cheapest fare on the wholesaler's website. Sometimes it's still a few dollars cheaper, but not always.
Most airlines used to offer extra miles for flights booked via their websites, but I think none of them are still doing it.
I always look up fares on Webjet (an Australian cheap airfares wholesaler) and then check on airline website. A lot of airlines will guarantee their online fares - so that if you find cheaper elsewhere online they refund the difference.
When I fly it's usually an annual trip to the UK (from Australia) and it's usually with Emirates. In the last few years they have almost always offered the cheapest fare, and I've now pretty much decided to stick with them each time because I've now had the pleasure of earning enough miles to upgrade to business class for a 23 hour flight and it was so much nicer than economy. I earned nearly 21,500 miles just with one return flight and am now planning a "mileage run" to Singapore to boost me up to 25K and Silver Skywards status.
Emirates is still offering up to 100 per cent in bonus miles when you book online, until end March 2010. They also offer the option to purchase up to 25K extra miles each year (doesn't count toward status) if you fall short for a reward flight or upgrade.