Frequent Fliers Check Travel Sites, Then Buy From Airline Sites

Frequent business travelers favor airline websites to book a flight but are open to using online travel agents' websites if they improve.

(Photo: Kayak.com)

 

Frequent business traveler Dennis Morris of Fox Island, Wash., uses a three-step process to book a flight online.

He finds a desired flight and a fare at an airline website, compares the fare with those cited by Expedia or Kayak and, if fares are comparable, returns to the airline website to book the flight.

"I prefer to work directly with the airline in case changes or issues come up," explains Morris, the CEO of a boat manufacturing company and a USA TODAY Road Warrior who volunteers travel information. "My experience dealing with non-airline sites is that, if issues arise, addressing them is much more difficult."

Many travelers like Morris favor airline websites, according to a survey released Monday by FlightView, which sells travel apps for mobile phones and daily travel information for airlines, airports and technology companies.

The survey — based on 2,066 people who used FlightView's mobile app in April — reveals that 36% "typically search for" airline tickets on airline websites.

Twenty-nine percent say they typically search for airline tickets on websites of online travel agents such as Expedia and Orbitz, and 22% say they use travel search engines such as Kayak and TripAdvisor.

Most survey respondents — 59% — say they usually buy their tickets from airlines. Nearly 30% buy them from online travel agents, 8% buy them from traditional travel agents and 3% say they don't book their own travel.

The survey also shows that —like Morris — travelers routinely go to non-airline websites to gather price or other flight information before using an airline to book a ticket.

Forty-one percent of respondents say they "sometimes" go to non-airline websites to get such information; 29% say they do that "most of the time," and 19% say they "always" do that.

For business travelers, the results show that they "are incredibly connected and have hundreds of travel tools, mobile apps and services at their disposal," says FlightView CEO Mike Benjamin.

"The choice to use one over another often comes down to the experience that the travel provider offers, and how well the provider keeps business travelers informed and engaged during their trip."

Road Warrior Ashok Adur of Parsippany, N.J., is one business traveler who uses various Internet tools.

"For work-related travel we have been asked to go to orbitzforbusiness.net," says Adur, who works in the plastics industry. "For other travel, I use different websites —airline, TripAdvisor, Expedia, CheapTickets, Bravofly or Kayak."

FlightView's survey shows that the most popular travel websites for "first searches" are Expedia and Kayak.

They were cited by 27% of respondents, followed by Travelocity (12.5%); Orbitz (11%); Priceline (5%) and TripAdvisor (4%).

Boston-based Road Warrior Tom Kelly says he uses Kayak or Google Flights first, then books a ticket on an airline's website.

"Sometimes Kayak will have better flight combinations that are not available on the carrier's site," says Kelly, a supply chain manager in the aerospace and defense industries. "I also like the trending charts and flexible date options on Google Flights. You can also search by airline marketing alliance or see prices for regions on a map."

FlightView's survey shows that 46% of respondents say they would be more willing to book a flight with an online travel agent if they were assured they would automatically be rebooked on another flight if their original flight was canceled. Forty-two percent say they would be more likely to book with an online agent if the agent made it easier to manage their travel itineraries on a mobile device or a website.

Adur says he never uses online travel agents' mobile apps, because some "are limited, especially for multiple flights and complicated travel itineraries."

He likes to use airlines' mobile apps, but they don't always work, and some have "limited capability."

Morris says he doesn't use airlines' mobile apps to book flights for several reasons, including problems with connectivity, speed and "readability for long or complex bookings."

He uses airlines' mobile apps "fairly regularly" after a booking is made, though, for changing a seat, flight status or check-in.

Find cheap fares

George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com offers some tips for travelers searching online for low airfares.

• Many airlines have private sales, reserving their best fares for their own websites.

• Check the websites of online travel agencies.

• If your travel dates are flexible, try a flexible-date search. Kayak.com has a good flexible-date calendar that can be used when you register at the website.

• Search often, because fares fluctuate throughout the day, and the number of seats offered at the cheapest fares changes frequently.

• Sign up for airfare alert e-mails, which are provided by many travel websites.

Contributed by Gary Stoller, www.usatoday.com

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Travelore Tips: Here Are 14 Tips For A More Stress-Free Flying Experience:

Courtesy of Airspace Lounge

Don’t leave for the airport without these tips and tricks for a stress-free flying experience.

Contributed by Travel + Leisure StaffAppeared as "100 Ways to Travel Better" in T+L Magazine

Endless security lines, jet lag, and middle seats don't have to be necessary evils of flying—not if you follow T+L's best tips for smoother air travel.

Consider that security line: TSA's PreCheck expedited program will be in 100 domestic airports by the end of 2013, and there are three ways to join.

As for jet lag, your strategy should be to get on the right schedule while in transit, with some help from Stopjetlag.com. The site tailors a personalized hour-by-hour schedule for meals, rest time, and even sun exposure based on your itinerary.

Timing is also key when it comes to avoiding the middle. Ask for a new seat 24 hours before your flight; that's when airlines start upgrading their elite fliers, opening up the "preferred" seats in economy that were initially been assigned to those travelers.

Perhaps the ultimate air travel dilemma is when to buy your ticket in the first place. We asked Kayak.com to crunch the numbers to reveal when the average fares from the U.S. are at their lowest. Daydreaming about a Caribbean getaway? Procrastinators will be rewarded with an average low of $482 just one to two weeks out.

Courtesy of FlyerTalk

Eavesdrop on the Airline Experts

Full of opinions and insights from serious road warriors, the Flyertalk online forums are invaluable. Use them to size up airlines, loyalty programs, and even travel gadgets.

Courtesy of Kayak

Time Your Tickets

We asked Kayak to crunch the numbers to determine when the average airfares from the United States to regions around the world are at their lowest.

U.S.A.: 3–5 weeks out $351

Caribbean: 1–2 weeks out $482

Central America: 5–8 weeks out $622

South America: 5 ½ months out $953

Europe: 7–8 weeks out $1,041

Asia: 8–9 months out $1,313

Find the Best Airfare

GetGoing: This blind-booking site nets up to 40 percent off flights if you let it pick between two destinations.

TripWatcher: Sign up to receive instant e-mail alerts when fares for a particular route drop.

Airfarewatchdog: The site’s analysts comb airline websites and other sources for the best deals, which appear in a daily e-mail newsletter.

Refund.me: If you think you might be owed money for a delayed or canceled European flight, it’ll help you file a claim

Philip Toledano

Snag an Award Seat

Some airlines make it easier than others to cash in miles for a ticket. According to the annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey, this year’s standouts include Southwest, which had 100 percent availability in tests, followed by AirTran (95 percent), JetBlue (88.6 percent), and United (80 percent).

Courtesy of Tripit Pro

Manage Your Itinerary

Best for Business: Worldmate ($9.99)integrates with your calendar and LinkedIn, making it easy to network while on the road.

Best for Families: The Seat Tracker fromTripIt Pro ($49 per year) keeps tabs on cabin seat inventory and will alert you when elusive blocks of up to four seats open up.

Best for Road Warriors: The more trips you log using Traxo (free), the more perks from partner companies you receive: car-rental vouchers, free travel insurance, and even free flights.

Tom Batchell

Speed Through the Airport

TSA’s PreCheck expedited security program will be in 100 domestic airports by the end of the year. Here, three ways to join.

Sign up on the Go: The TSA’s new airport enrollment centers ($85 for five years) are currently in Washington Dulles and Indianapolis airports, and expanding to others soon.

Be a Trusted Traveler: Join through one of Customs & Border Patrol’s Trusted Traveler programs, such as the popular Global Entry ($100 for five years), which also speeds you through U.S. immigration lines.

Rely on Loyalty: Enroll through the frequent-flier program of one of TSA’s partner airlines. Note: if you choose this method you’re only eligible for flights on that carrier.

Courtesy of StopJetLag

Beat Jet Lag

The trick is to get on the right schedule while in transit. Sign up for a personalized plan with the websiteStopjetlag, which will give you an hour-by-hour schedule for meals, rest time, and even sunlight exposure, based on your travel itinerary.

Courtesy of Airspace Lounge

Wait in Comfort in an Airport Lounge

Buy a Day Pass: All the legacy carriers sell them for their lounges both here and abroad for roughly $50.

Find an Independent Lounge: Airspace has a small network of lounges in domestic airports, which American Express Platinum card members can access for free. In Asia and Canada, look for spaces fromPlaza Premium ($49 per visit); No. 1 Traveller ($45 per visit) and Servisair ($28 per visit) have lounges throughout the U.K. Services such as Lounge Pass(from $35 per visit) and Priority Pass ($27 per visit, plus $99 annually) partner with airlines and independent companies to offer access to locations worldwide.

Choose the Right Card: For an annual fee, some credit cards—including American Express Platinum($450) and Chase’s United MileagePlus Club Card($395)—offer complimentary access to both airline and independent lounges. American Express also recently opened the Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas McCarran and at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Access is free for travelers with Centurion and Platinum Cards, and $50 for all other American Express cardholders.

Ben Wiseman

Wear the Right Fabrics

Stay Warm: Cashmere wraps and sweaters are lightweight, but perfect for chilly planes.

Stretch Out: Lycra jeans move with you but maintain their shape. The best contain at least 10 percent Lycra.

Keep It Crisp: Look for wrinkle-free twill shirts and pants from brands such as L.L. Bean and Brooks Brothers.

Consider Comfort: Knit blazers are more pliable for ease of movement and less creasing.

Philip Toledano

Don’t Lose Your Luggage

Spy on Your Suitcase: Plant it with the palm-size Trakdot ($50, plus $13 annual fee). The small box automatically transmits its location using a GSM chip, allowing you to follow your bag’s route via SMS, e-mail, or the Trakdot app and website.

Pick the Right Carriers: The airline with the best record for luggage handling over the past two years? Virgin America, which averages just 0.88 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Following close behind: JetBlue (1.88) and AirTran (2.02). American Eagle, on the other hand, averaged 6 incidents per 1,000 passengers.

Ship Your Bags: Consider sending your bags straight to the hotel (or golf course, or cruise ship) through a service such as Luggage Forward or Luggage Free. Overnight delivery of a 25-pound bag from New York to L.A. will run about $150—more than your airline charges, but considerably less than UPS.

C Squared Studios/Getty Images

Find a Better Sandwich

The GateGuru app has detailed terminal maps and restaurant reviews for more than 100 airports around the world.

Courtesy of RouteHappy

Get a Better Seat

Find the Best Plane: Not all aircraft are created equal. Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner features higher humidity and lower pressure (to minimize jet lag) and smart-glass windows that dim on command. The carriers flying the new aircraft: British Airways, LAN, and Japan Airlines. If cabin design is important, you can also look to SeatGuruand Routehappy, which both have flight-search functions that let you prioritize legroom, Wi-Fi connectivity, and seatback entertainment over, say, price and flight time.

Time Your Request: Ask for a new seat 24 hours before a flight. That’s when airlines start upgrading their elite fliers, opening up the “preferred” seats in economy that had previously been assigned to those travelers. Repeat your request at the check-in desk and gate.

Look Into Premium Economy: Though they won’t give you all the plush comforts of business class, these seats are often worth the extra money for the added four or five inches of legroom alone. International carriers have 

David Pearson / Alamy

Go Straight to Your Meeting

Tired of waiting around at the baggage carousel? US Airways, United, and American will now deliver your bags within 40 miles of a domestic airport within six hours of your flight’s arrival. The cost: $30 for one bag, $40 for two.

ZUMA Press, Inc. /Alamy

Tip Like a Pro

Worried you’ll get hit with excess weight charges on your luggage? Use a skycap at the curb and tip well—you may receive some leniency.

See More Ways to Travel Better

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Travelore Tips: Three Ways To Find The Lowest Airfare

Contributed by Wendy Perrin, CNTraveler.com

"Google 'best time to buy airfare' and you'll find 50 different competing theories. And they're all wrong," George Hobica told me over lunch the other day. George is the founder of AirfareWatchdog, the airfare deals site that includes some low fares not found on other sites. "Don't listen to anyone who says there's a magic time or day to buy airfare. There is no secret time. You need to look four times a day -- minimum -- every day of the week, as far in advance as you can."

Sounds like a ton of work. Not nearly as simple as looking on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Eastern or on Wednesdays at 1 a.m. But George has just compiled his "12 Tips for Finding Low Airfares, 2014 Edition" to make your airfare shopping easier. You probably already do many of the 12, as do I, but I thought I should share three nifty new takeaways from lunch:

Keep your airfare search results page open on your computer screen all day.
Whatever airfare search site you're using, just leave your Web browser window open on your computer screen and hit "Refresh" at least four times a day. Airlines change fares all day long, says George, and "even if the fares don't change, the number of seats available at that fare will change."When you can be flexible with your travel dates, use Kayak or Google Flights.

Flexible date search allows you to look for airfares within a certain window of time and pinpoint the least expensive days to fly within that window. I've always used ITA Software for this, but George recommends two tools that may be easier for many people to use. At Kayak, register your email address, click on "Flights," then click on "More search options" and choose "Flex Month." As for Google's Explore Flights tool, you can specify a trip length and month, allowing you to search for the lowest fares within whatever window of time you've got.

If you are flexible about your destination as well, use Adioso.
When you're open to suggestions for where to go and you just want a great airfare, Adioso works well because it lets you search not just for a specific destination city but for an entire region. Instead of having to limit your search to, say, "New York City to Copenhagen," you can punch in "New York City to Europe" and see what's available in, say, April or May.

Of course, the easiest way to get around time-consuming airfare shopping might be simply to have low fares emailed to your inbox. AirfareWatchdog's fare alerts include discounted promo-code fares as well as low fares on Southwest Airlines that other sites' alerts may not include. Personally, my favorite of the three types of fare alerts is the "Departure City alerts" because I want to know what surprise deals crop up from my home airport as well as other airports within a reasonable driving distance of home.

12 Travelore Tips For Finding The Best Airfares

No question about it, airfares on some routes are higher than they were four or five years ago, although Airfarewatchdog airfare searchers frequently find hundreds of fares crisscrossing the country for $250 or less round-trip. And even though fares seem higher, let's not forget that, adjusted for inflation, most fares are actually lower than they were 10 or 20 years ago. That said, here is my best advice for making your airfare dollars go further.

1. There's no "magic" day or lead time to buy the best airfare.

A lot of airfare experts think they're clairvoyant, so they know where airfares are headed or how far in advance you should start looking for a fare. The latest myth is to buy exactly 54 days in advance. Others say buy on Tuesday at 3 p.m. or Wednesday at midnight or when the moon is full (just kidding). But airlines are unpredictable, and anyone who claims he or she knows that airfares will be lower or higher in the coming months or the coming days should trade in their crystal ball. No one can accurately predict where airfares are heading, any more than we can predict the stock market. Think about it: if they really knew, they'd put every other airfare search operation out of business, and that hasn't happened. Don't believe me? Here's what an airline revenue manager has to say about this.

2. So search often, over a long lead time, and pounce when there's a deal

Fares fluctuate throughout the day, and the number of seats offered at the lowest fares also changes frequently. Or someone might be holding the only seat at the lowest fare and not book it, so it goes back into inventory--and then it will be yours. So if you don't like the fare at 10 a.m., check at 2 p.m. or the next day or the next week and pounce when the fare is affordable. It's easy to leave open the browser page where you're searching for a fare and keep on hitting the refresh.

3. Airfare alerts by email

This is perhaps the easiest way to track airfares. Many travel web sites offer emailed airfare alerts, letting you know when fares go down, and they all have something to offer. Do a browser search for "airfare alerts" and you'll see what's available. They all work a bit differently so sign up for more than one. One thing to note: these sites use essentially the same airfare data provided by the airlines' computer systems or ITA Software (which is now owned by Google), so they won't include discounted promo code fares, and they don't include Southwest Airlines (airfarewatchdog's fare alerts do, however, include hand-picked fares on Southwest).

4. Sign up for the airlines' email feeds and frequent flyer programs

Speaking of promo codes, the airlines want to develop a relationship with you, so they'll send you special deals, such as 50 percent off promo codes or two-fers, if you sign up for their emails. Here are links to US domestic airline sign up pages and for international airlines. We signed up for Virgin America's frequent flyer program and because we hadn't flown them yet we keep on getting promo code discount offers to give them a try.

5. Use Twitter

Email is great, but some of the most amazing airfare deals last only a short time (even if they're valid for travel over a long period), or you open the email too late. Twitter is more immediate. Our advice? Follow @Airfarewatchdog where we tweet unusual airfare deals every day of the week and alert followers to promo codes and other airfare deals.

6. Be a flexible travel date flyer

If you don't care when you go as long as the fare is low, try a flexible date search. It's getting harder to search airfares based on flexible travel dates now that many sites (Orbitz, Hotwire, Travelocity and Expedia among them) have eliminated their flexible date calendars. But Kayak.com still has a good one (you must register as a user to see it under Flights/more options/flex month). Another good site is Adioso.com and Google has two sites worth exploring: Google Flight Explore and Google Flights.More about flexible travel date search. 

7. Search airline sites individually, but online travel agencies are still useful
Many airlines have "private" sales, reserving their very best fares for their own sites. These are different from promo code sales mentioned above. International airlines such as Aer Lingus, Iberia and Qantas regularly offer lower fares (i.e., $100-$400 less) on their own web sites compared to what you'll find on Kayak or Orbitz. And yet, you shouldn't ignore online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity, because these sites will tell you if it's cheaper flying out on one airline and back on another (United won't tell you it's cheaper to fly out on United and back on American).

8. Use Priceline for last minute trips

If you don't have a 7-, 14-, or 21-day advance purchase window to buy your fare, your best bet is the "name your own price" feature of Priceline.com. True, you won't know the exact flight times or airline you're flying until to pay for your trip, but you can save 50% or more.

9. Use consolidators, but beware of the restrictions

Consolidators specializing in premium cabins will have some great deals, and the airlines themselves will often heavily discount their premium cabins in the summer and just before Christmas, so check the specials on their web sites. Sites like Vayama.com, airfare.com and Asia.com also sometimes sell consolidator fares, but read this to understand how these fares work and what the extra restrictions might be.

10. Consider the extra fees before you buy

If Southwest has a fare of $198 round-trip and United has one for $148, and you are checking three bags, then Southwest actually has the lowest fare because Southwest charges nothing for the first two checked bags, whereas United would charge you an additional $165 each way for three. (See Airline fee chart). 

11. Combine two separate fares rather than buying one fare

If you're flying to a destination in Europe, you might save money by purchasing one fare from the US to, say, Dublin, and another from Dublin onward on Ryanair.com (just beware of Ryanair's onerous fees). Same holds true for some destinations in Asia (fly into Singapore and catch a low cost carrier such as Airasia.com from there) and to some smaller Caribbean destinations via San Juan or the Bahamas. Even domestically, two fares are often less than one, such as the recent scenario where Dallas to Honolulu was selling for $350 round-trip with tax, but Houston/Honolulu was $800. As you're no doubt aware, you can fly Houston-Dallas for a lot less than $450! Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time between connecting flights in case one flight is delayed.

12. Buy tickets on an airline that will refund the difference if a fare goes down

Let's say you've found the lowest fare, and then the day after purchase your non-refundable fare for the same itinerary goes down. If you ask for it you can get a refund for the difference. But some airlines will charge you a costly "administrative" fee of $200 or more, wiping out any savings. Others will give you the entire fare difference in the form of a travel voucher without extracting a fee. All airlines used to do this but no longer. The only ones left are JetBlue, Southwest, and Alaska.

Travelore Tips: How To Save Money When Booking Travel Online

Websites like Expedia.com, Hotwire.com and Orbitz.com have all but eliminated the need for travel agents -- why pay someone to compare flight durations and room rates when you can do it yourself? The problem is, if you're not careful, you may end up paying more in the long run. Finding a good price online (especially during the holiday season) requires diligence and patience, not to mention a great deal of savvy. To help you get the most bang for your buck on your next DIY travel booking, we persuaded CheapAir.com CEO Jeff Klee,Getaroom.com and Hotels.com co-founder Bob Diener, and Airfarewatchdog creator George Hobica to divulge their own travel booking secrets.

wwarby / Flickr

1. Get Online

Though this may seem obvious, the only way to score the best rates is to spend a lot of time on the Internet. When looking for available flights and hotel rooms, the more research you do the better. "The most important thing is to check fares often," said Klee. He notes that airlines usually have 10 to 15 different price points for any flight, meaning that rates can change at any time. Start researching your trip well in advance to get a feel for the going rates -- that way, you'll know a good deal when it comes along. But be prepared to act fast. "While everyone wants to get a good deal, you can't obsess about finding rock-bottom prices," Klee said. "Once you see a good deal, grab it. If you see a good deal during the day, there's a very good chance that it will change by evening."

2. Check Your Email

Because it's impossible to stay on top of every rate change, Hobica recommends setting up email alerts on sites like Kayak.com or using tools like Hotwire.com's Trip Watcher, which will let you know when prices drop. "But you have to check your email," Hobica said. "Someone might be holding the last seat at the lowest fare and then not buy it, which puts that lower-priced seat back on the market." Meanwhile, tuning into airline, hotel and deal-centered Twitter feeds and following travel-focused Twitter chats can increase your chances of catching a flash sale, especially if it's not advertised. According to Diener, you can save up to 60 percent on hotel rooms should you happen to spot a flash sale. By following Airfarewatchdog, Getaroom.com or Hotels.com on Twitter, you'll have a better shot at catching a price drop as soon as it happens.

3. Be Realistic
If you start researching flights and hotel rates several months before you plan to travel, you'll be able to recognize reasonable prices. But all bets are off when it comes to peak travel times, like the holidays: Don't expect a flight to cost the same right before Christmas as it did back in April. "Holiday flights are more expensive than everyday flights," Klee warned. "Don't get sticker-shock and wait longer to book in hopes that the price will drop, since you could end up paying more." The same goes for winter trips to warm-weather destinations. Diener explained that because the majority of Americans live in colder climates, the demand for hotel rooms in warmer places like Miami or Phoenix skyrockets. But deals can be found as long as you start your room search early. "Popularity means the best deals at the best hotels will be picked up quickly," he said. "Don't wait until a few days before your trip to book a hotel."

4. Be Flexible

If you're willing to be a little loose with your travel plans, you'll have more flexibility when it comes to price ranges. This is particularly true around the holidays: A survey conducted by CheapAir.com shows that travelers saved an average of $249 per airline ticket simply by shifting their Thanksgiving travel dates to depart the Monday before the holiday and return the Tuesday after. However, conducting research on flexible travel dates isn't as easy as it used to be. "A lot of booking sites have eliminated flexible search," Hobica said, stressing that you should spend extra time looking at prices both on booking websites and directly on airline websites. It's more work, but Hobica insists that it's worth the effort. "It may be cheaper to fly United there and Virgin back, but the Virgin website wouldn't show you that," he explained.

Also, extending your trip by a day or two can yield significant savings on hotel rates. "Always check for a three-night stay because lots of hotels give much better rates when booking three or more nights, rather than a one- or two-night stay," Diener said. He also suggests aiming for a Sunday night check-in; room rates drop as weekend lodgers leave.

5. Forget the Rules

How many times have you heard that booking on a Tuesday night will result in lower airfare? Or that flight prices will not drop after a certain point? "It's all nonsense," Hobica said. "Look at it logically: If everyone followed the rules, the airlines would manipulate you." Klee noted that you will generally find the best rates between four and seven weeks before you plan to fly, but the day you book doesn't matter. "Airlines tend to offer sales on Tuesday, but most people aren't going to get those seats anyway," he said, noting that airlines only offer a select number of bookings at those sale prices. What does matter, however, is when you plan to fly. Klee advised taking off on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as Friday and weekend departures are in higher demand.

Being strategic when choosing your travel dates is especially crucial around the holidays. The key is to work around the normal travel times: CheapAir.com's survey shows that travelers saved $200 on Thanksgiving flights by booking a Monday-through-Friday flight instead of a coveted Wednesday-through-Sunday trip. And opting to fly on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day (when no one wants to travel) will no doubt slash your expenses.

6. Don't Assume It's Too Late

Yes, you will have better luck finding reasonable rates the earlier you book. But Hobica believes in not giving up, especially when it comes to holiday flights. "If a fare was way too high for your pocketbook, you should jump back into the pool a few weeks before Christmas," he said, noting that airlines may drop the cost of unsold seats in order to fill a plane. Just don't bank on convenient options, as the more desirable flights will surely be sold out. You're more likely to come across bargain airfare on red-eye flights or inconvenient departure times. "It's like shopping at Marshall's," Hobica said. "They may have what you're looking for in your price range, but only in an extra small. If you can make it work, then go for it."

7. Read the Fine Print

When booking flights and hotels online, reading the fine print is crucial -- whether it's the terms of your ticket or the terms of the website. You may book a flight on Spirit Airlines and plan on obtaining your boarding pass from the gate agent only to find that you'll be charged an extra $10 per ticket for not printing at home. Or you could end up reserving a hotel room only to find that the booking website doesn't include additional taxes or fees in the rate, like Expedia, and the price isn't quite the bargain you thought. Before you hit the "Purchase" button, make sure you know exactly what you're getting for your money.

8. Make Sure Someone's Got Your Back

The best advantage a travel agent offers is that he or she fights for your rights should something go awry with your travel plans. If you prefer to do things yourself, Klee said you need to make sure that you are using online services that provide reliable customer support. "That way, if you're in a bind, you can get help more easily." Sometimes, booking websites will absolve themselves of any responsibility should the unexpected happen (which is why you should pay attention to tip No. 7), which can lead to an unexpected, often lofty set of cancellation or change fees. Purchasing flights and hotel rooms through a reliable third-party booking site will grant you access to a customer service team that can negotiate with the airline or hotel on your behalf, saving you time and money.

--Contributed by Miriam B. Weiner

Airline Fees: Dozens Of New Charges Added For 2013

Contributed by the Huffington Post.

Airlines have added more than 50 new fees over the past year, new data from the website TravelNerd show.

The finance-oriented site found dozens of "direct fee increases" on already existing charges, as well as 28 new baggage-related fees levied in January 2013 compared to January 2012.

The fees add an estimated $36.1 billion annually to airlines' bottom lines, according to TravelNerd.

Increasing fees for the same service are a big part of the uptick. For example, Spirit Airlines' premium seat fee, which was $25-$75, is now as much as $199 depending on the flight.

The only good news, TravelNerd reports, is that the increases are generally modest. "The majority of fee increases were within $5-$10," the site writes.

While some fees are nearly unavoidable, travelers can prepare for them. A newly released Airfarewatchdog super-survey of U.S. airlines' charges is a good place to start.