Okay, so today I wanna share my experience with finding the best tools for booking multiple flight tickets. It was a bit of a hassle, but I finally figured out what works best for me. Let’s dive in!
The Initial Headache
First off, booking flights for a big group can be a total nightmare. I was in charge of arranging flights for a family reunion – like, fifteen people coming from different cities. I started with the usual suspects: Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights… you know, the big names.
Round One: The Usual Suspects
Expedia: Tried to book multiple tickets at once, but kept running into errors. The website would freeze, or it would say the price changed mid-booking. Super frustrating. Plus, their customer service wasn’t super helpful when I called.
Kayak: Kayak is great for finding cheap flights, but booking directly through them for a large group? Forget about it. Too many redirects and the interface felt clunky when trying to manage multiple passengers.
Google Flights: I love Google Flights for scouting out the best deals and dates, but it just directs you to the airline’s website to actually book. Which, for multiple tickets, can be a pain.
The Turning Point: Group Booking Options
Then, I started digging deeper. I realized I needed something specifically designed for group bookings. That’s when I stumbled upon a few interesting options:
- Airline Group Booking Services: I called a couple of airlines (United and American) directly. They have group booking departments that can handle larger reservations. The upside? You get a dedicated agent and potentially locked-in fares. The downside? It’s often less flexible than booking online.
- Specialized Travel Agencies: There are travel agencies that specialize in group travel. I contacted one, and they were able to find some decent deals. They also took care of all the details, like seat assignments and baggage allowances. This saved me a ton of time, but they do charge a service fee, of course.
The Winner: A Mix-and-Match Approach
In the end, what worked best for me was a combination of things.
- Google Flights for Research: I used Google Flights to identify the cheapest dates and airlines.
- Airline’s Website (in batches): I booked directly on the airline’s website, but not all fifteen tickets at once. Instead, I booked in smaller groups of 3-4 people. This seemed to avoid the errors I was getting before.
- Calling the Airline: For a couple of complex itineraries, I just called the airline and had them help me over the phone. Sometimes, talking to a real person is just easier!
Key Takeaways
- Don’t try to book too many tickets at once. Break it down into smaller chunks.
- Consider calling the airline directly. It can save you a headache.
- Look into specialized travel agencies. They can handle all the details for you, but be prepared to pay a fee.
So yeah, that was my adventure in booking multiple flight tickets. It was a bit stressful, but hopefully, my experience can help you out! Good luck!
