How to Book Flights?

activ8newbs on 08/12/2016 - 19:07
Last edited 08/12/2016 - 20:53

Hi all,

You've been incredible across the last week as I frantically try to book a solo holiday (First ever holiday) to Vietnam.

I'm almost there as far as planning goes, just need to confirm where the best place is to purchase and book tickets for flights.

I hear webjet is a rip off. Expedia is a bit confusing. And IWTF (I Want that flight) is the best place to book.

Or should I go to each individual airline (4 flights across 14 days) and book through them?

I'm after the cheapest, safest, and easiest option.

Recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

EDIT:
I need the following Flights

  • Sydney International Airport - Saigon, Vietnam (Depart 26th Jan; not flexible)
  • Saigon, Vietnam - Da Nang, Vietnam (Depart 29th Jan; not flexible unless huge price difference)
  • Da Nang, Vietnam - Hanoi, Vietnam (Depart 4th Feb; flexible (+ or - 2 Days)
  • Hanoi - Sydney International Airport (Depart 10th Feb; flexible (Can leave up to 3 days earlier)

I also may require a flight from Saigon - Dalat Airport
Thanks again

Travel

Comments

  • kiribatian on 08/12/2016 - 20:11
    +1

    Post (or PM) what flights you want on what days. Sort it out from there…

    • activ8newbs on 08/12/2016 - 20:36

      Thanks mate, I've updated the post to include the flights.

      Any help, greatly appreciated. :)

      • kiribatian on 10/12/2016 - 22:36
        +1

        I'll reply tomorrow AM!!

      • kiribatian on 11/12/2016 - 09:12
        +1

        How much are you getting flights for now btw?

        • activ8newbs on 11/12/2016 - 12:19

          I haven't actually added them all up at the moment.

          They vary a bit in price and as you know, change every few hours.

          I've just been using Skyscanner to get an idea of pricing. I've never actually booked international flights before…

          Also worth mentioning that I'll probably need checked Baggage for majority of the trip. I plan to get a few nice tailored suits

  • retiredfeline on 08/12/2016 - 20:12

    IWTF simply directs you to the actual booking site.

  • Adz81 on 08/12/2016 - 20:18

    It all depends on your itinerary, what you expect, and your flexibility…
    When I flew to the UK, I was fine with being locked into dates, there was literally no way I couldn't make my outbound flight (aside from the bit where I lost my passport and left my bank cards at my parents the night before I flew out)… whatever site you choose, check the conditions carefully, changes or cancellations can be expensive to the point of impossible.

  • rambutann on 08/12/2016 - 22:09

    Try momondo. It really doesn't matter where you book it you'll end up with a ticket so just find the cheapest.. If you try and make any changes then it matters which agency you go with but I'd assume you aren't going to make any changes as its generally never worth it. Jetstar generally do the cheapest flights between hcmc and da nang & da nang and Hanoi.

    Also, my advice.. Don't go to Hue if you were planning on doing so. Spend your time in Hoi An when you fly to Da Nang. I wouldn't even go to da nang itself either. I just did a month in Vietnam just over a month ago so ye.

    • activ8newbs on 08/12/2016 - 22:40

      Thanks Rambutan

      I was genuinely considering Hue, but I'll happily skip it on your recommendation.

      I'll hopefully finish planning my itinerary tomorrow night and post it up. Really excited to finish it up and see what the final costs are!

      Thanks

      • rambutann on 09/12/2016 - 05:58

        Like, its alright.. But probably not worth the logistical nightmare compared to other places.

      • reggae on 09/12/2016 - 09:34

        try sta travel. They have some student fares to certain destinations, but don't think they cover the low cost airlines.

  • altomic on 08/12/2016 - 23:45

    did a quick search on skyscanner using the above itinery. came to $1169.

    it might be cheaper to book a return ticket sydney-ho chi minh. and then start ho chi minh, fly hochiminh—> da nang, —> hanoi—> ho chi minh

    funny story of when I did vietnam 13 years ago. mrs altomic and I rented a scooter in Da Nang and headed north. we decided to get off the main road and head towards the sea. we came to a small village and rode through it. on the other side was a rickety wooden bridge leading off to rice paddies for a km and some hills in the background. we stop and talk to some kids who are playing. "hello" they shout, and "my name is ..", "where are you from?". they smile and it is nice. the farmland past the village is green and rich with crops. it looks pleasant. it is another adventure and as we ride along after 5 minutes we came to a group of farmers walking back to the village. we slow down as it was a narrow track. this one guy holds up his hand to stop us. he says in perfect english "why are you going this way?". he has an american accent. he is wearing "peasant" clothing and is filthy. I look at him more closely and he is about 60. he has a stockier build compared to other 5 or 6 men. "we're just following a path and seeing where it takes us" I respond. He stares back and after a moment states calmly "this track will take you some where that will get you your throat slashed". I ponder his statement for a moment. Mrs Altomic gently tugs on my tshirt - ie "let's get the f&^k out of here". I look at the guy and calmly say "yeah, we'll head back now". he just stands there, stares and says nothing. there is no sound. we are miles from any roads or any houses. surrounded by forest. no one knows we are here. I do a quick turn and head back to the village. crossing the rickety bridge we exit the village quickly. a few kilometres onwards we hit the main road and then stop. both of us have travelled extensively before but this one of those few moments where you sort of think to yourself "that was pretty damn interesting".

    That being said, we spent 2 weeks in vietnam and loved it. our first day there in HMC and some guys offered to take us out on their motorbikes for the day. "sure" we said "how much for both of us?". the guy responds with the offer of "US$50". "yes, sounds great" and hand over the money. $50 is nothing -we were living/working in japan and making pretty decent money. so the guys take us around to all the different places. it was fun. his english was reasonable and he had a sense of humour. finally near the end of the day he asks if there is anywhere we'd like to go. I ask if he could take us somewhere poor. he does. it was a major eye opener for me. my wife had lived in India and was used to seeing poverty at extreme levels, I'd only seen eastern european poverty (as the worst) . observing the slums and filth was sobering. the guys took as back to the hotel and we thanked them. we'd been gone for nearly 7 hours. so value was received i felt. the next day we leave the hotel and the same guys approach us and offer to take us out again. we politely refuse as we were going to check out local markets 500 metres away. the main guy said he felt bad because we paid too much yesterday. he stated that ordinarily people bargain over prices and usually he is happy with US25. so he says he will take us out again for another day for free. I politely decline and say that he gave a great tour and thank him for his openness and honesty and to keep the money. he thanks me, I thank him. it was nice.

    sorry for the wall of text.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 08/12/2016 - 23:53

    Flightfox.com

    Get an expert to work for you.

    • alchew on 09/12/2016 - 00:43

      I just looked this up. You pay a US$50 deposit for them to find a lower price than what you have quoted, if they can't find a significantly lower priced (inclusive of their fee) then they refund you back the fee?

      Have you actually used this service? Just curious

      • The Wololo Wombat on 09/12/2016 - 10:32
        +1

        Yes I have. Once they were not able to find $50 cheaper so they refunded the fee.

        Another time they used (secret) 'fuel dumping' methods (look into it, it's crazy) and it saved me $300

        Not sure why my comment was negged. This has saved me money before….

        • alchew on 09/12/2016 - 11:27

          This is interesting I might try

  • dasher86 on 09/12/2016 - 13:00
    +1

    Hanoi - Sydney International Airport (Depart 10th Feb; flexible (Can leave up to 3 days earlier)

    don't depart earlier to save a few $. if you have the time, better to spend as much time overseas as it will cost a lot more next time if you want to go back.

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