You CAN buy airline tickets ONLINE!
Feb 17, 2011, 6:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: AA-Gold,HH-Diamond, DL-Plat
Posts: 6
You CAN buy airline tickets ONLINE!
I usually use the self check in, grab my ticket and get on my way as quickly as possible as most business travelers do. Well... Having issues with the self ck in kiosk I had to go to the counter. Only one Agent at the counter and he had a customer, so I waited. As i am standing there for a few minutes I find myself compelled to see what is taking so long. I soon hear gate agent telling the customer prices, PRICES FOR FLIGHTS IN MARCH. This guy wasn't even flying that day... He was pricing a trip for NEXT MONTH! Then, he asks the agent if he can get it any cheaper? Does he not know that the internet exists and he could price all airlines at once? I was shocked, and irritated at the same moment. I really don't get it. Drive to the airport, find a parking place, PAY for parking, walk up to the counter and buy a ticket for a flight next month? I guess some people have more time than others.
Feb 17, 2011, 10:09 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,269
Hi Houser50, welcome to FT. Don't worry about it. If you are looking for a more appropriate area to post such a topic then go to Travelbuzz in the Travel & Dining forum ^
Feb 18, 2011, 7:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Indian Harbour Beach, Fla, USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plt
Posts: 1,986
Feb 18, 2011, 8:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,621
I certainly appear to have internet access, but I do buy tickets at the counter a few times a year. Often I cannot split payments between CCs or book a complicated itinerary on the website. So I make a point to buy the ticket at the counter when I'm checking in for another flight.
I tend to show up well-prepared with the exact itinerary that I want with the fares and prices, though. I can understand the frustration of waiting behing a bargain shopper.
I tend to show up well-prepared with the exact itinerary that I want with the fares and prices, though. I can understand the frustration of waiting behing a bargain shopper.
Feb 18, 2011, 9:30 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: HH Gold and lowly DL FO
Posts: 250
I recently had to purchase tickets at the counter (against my will). I had some United vouchers from a voluntary bump and the rules of using the voucher indicated they could not be used online - only with a real live ticket agent.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
Luckily, I got there at a slow time - but I kept thinking what a pain it would've been (for me and anyone in line behind me) if I hadn't lucked out and gotten there when nothing was going on.
So, I guess, the moral of the story is - the person may have been aware of online ticketing, but their circumstances may have required them to use the ticket agent.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
Luckily, I got there at a slow time - but I kept thinking what a pain it would've been (for me and anyone in line behind me) if I hadn't lucked out and gotten there when nothing was going on.
So, I guess, the moral of the story is - the person may have been aware of online ticketing, but their circumstances may have required them to use the ticket agent.
Feb 18, 2011, 10:30 pm
#12
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
I recently had to purchase tickets at the counter (against my will). I had some United vouchers from a voluntary bump and the rules of using the voucher indicated they could not be used online - only with a real live ticket agent.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
Luckily, I got there at a slow time - but I kept thinking what a pain it would've been (for me and anyone in line behind me) if I hadn't lucked out and gotten there when nothing was going on.
So, I guess, the moral of the story is - the person may have been aware of online ticketing, but their circumstances may have required them to use the ticket agent.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
Luckily, I got there at a slow time - but I kept thinking what a pain it would've been (for me and anyone in line behind me) if I hadn't lucked out and gotten there when nothing was going on.
So, I guess, the moral of the story is - the person may have been aware of online ticketing, but their circumstances may have required them to use the ticket agent.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator
Feb 19, 2011, 8:18 am
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Let's not forget, even kettles without the internet can still PHONE the airline directly to buy a ticket..or hire a travel agent...holding up the line for things like that when people have planes to catch is outright "Kettleish".
My inlaws are only SEMI-Kettles..they fly more about 6 times a year and know to take their jewelry off at security, but refuse to use the internet to reasearch, buy or check in for flights. They are of the generation that had to check in using the line and they feel uncomforatble doing anything else. Hell, it was only last year I had to teach them how to use "bookmarks" in their browser. And they refused!!!
My inlaws are only SEMI-Kettles..they fly more about 6 times a year and know to take their jewelry off at security, but refuse to use the internet to reasearch, buy or check in for flights. They are of the generation that had to check in using the line and they feel uncomforatble doing anything else. Hell, it was only last year I had to teach them how to use "bookmarks" in their browser. And they refused!!!
Feb 19, 2011, 10:44 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,276
I recently had to purchase tickets at the counter (against my will). I had some United vouchers from a voluntary bump and the rules of using the voucher indicated they could not be used online - only with a real live ticket agent.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
I had already researched the flights the night before and knew which ones I wanted, but when the ticket agent was telling me the prices, I realized they had gone up overnight. So, I had to stand there and go over different itineraries with her to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck.
In your case, you could have called the United reservation number, and telling the agent you are using a paper voucher (the agent will then also ask you the numbers on the voucher), put the flights on hold, so that you can lock in the price, and bring that voucher within 24 hours to the airport in order to ticket it.
Or if it is 21 days before departure date, you could have simply do the procedure that I talked about, instead of going to the airport, you can just mail in the voucher for ticketing. The agent will then tell you that address when they see it has enough of time to mail in the voucher.
It will also save you $5 booking fees ($25 vs $30) to book on the phone instead of at the airport.
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Feb 19, 2011 at 10:54 am
Feb 19, 2011, 4:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: HH Gold and lowly DL FO
Posts: 250
Real live ticket agent doesn't mean face to face only, it can also be mouth to mouth on the phone.
In your case, you could have called the United reservation number, and telling the agent you are using a paper voucher (the agent will then also ask you the numbers on the voucher), put the flights on hold, so that you can lock in the price, and bring that voucher within 24 hours to the airport in order to ticket it.
Or if it is 21 days before departure date, you could have simply do the procedure that I talked about, instead of going to the airport, you can just mail in the voucher for ticketing. The agent will then tell you that address when they see it has enough of time to mail in the voucher.
It will also save you $5 booking fees ($25 vs $30) to book on the phone instead of at the airport.
In your case, you could have called the United reservation number, and telling the agent you are using a paper voucher (the agent will then also ask you the numbers on the voucher), put the flights on hold, so that you can lock in the price, and bring that voucher within 24 hours to the airport in order to ticket it.
Or if it is 21 days before departure date, you could have simply do the procedure that I talked about, instead of going to the airport, you can just mail in the voucher for ticketing. The agent will then tell you that address when they see it has enough of time to mail in the voucher.
It will also save you $5 booking fees ($25 vs $30) to book on the phone instead of at the airport.