Websites for cheap flights. Help needed Please

RuthMarianna

We are planning a trip to Melboune early next year and I just looked at costs of flights with Quantas as I flew with them last time. But I was shocked to find the prices nearly 50% more than I paid last year. I wanted to know what people's experiences are with websites offereing cheaper prices. I don't want to pay for a flight and find I do not have a genuine ticket. I phoned one I found online and he promised a decent price. So am I safe or not?

Sam_Bee

Why don't you tell us what you have found, and with whomm

Also, what are your requirements - i.e. when / what / how many?

Otherwise we are just guessing?

RuthMarianna

OK here goes.
The website I found and contacted by phone was http://www.affordableflights.co.uk/cheapflightsp/.
I will be traveling with my husband. We want to fly from Heathrow (Manchester is closer but changing at Heathrow was murder last time and I don't want to repeat that experience.) We want to stop over for a day minimum anywhere enroute just to give my husband a break from sitting as he has arthritis but only if this does not make the flight more expensive We want to travel spring 2009 and stay in Oz for about 2 months. We can only afford Economy.
I have never booked a flight before except directly with an airline such as BA or Quantas and I've heard horror stories about people paying for tickets that never existed.

Sam_Bee

RuthMarianna wrote: »

OK here goes.
The website I found and contacted by phone was http://www.affordableflights.co.uk/cheapflightsp/.
I will be traveling with my husband. We want to fly from Heathrow (Manchester is closer but changing at Heathrow was murder last time and I don't want to repeat that experience.) We want to stop over for a day minimum anywhere enroute just to give my husband a break from sitting as he has arthritis but only if this does not make the flight more expensive We want to travel spring 2009 and stay in Oz for about 2 months. We can only afford Economy.
I have never booked a flight before except directly with an airline such as BA or Quantas and I've heard horror stories about people paying for tickets that never existed.

With some research you'll be fine, just pose any questions here, particularly if you are worried about a company and whether it will rip you off

However, you cannot book an airline ticket more than 300-330 days in advance of travel (dependent on airline) so that is why you are getting ridiculously high prices. Wait until 11 months before, and come back again, and we'll all help you get the best prices.

RuthMarianna

Thanks for the advise. I am only looking at prices this far ahead to give me an idea of our target budget as we want to come back with little or no debt. I don't want to kid myself the £1600 will do for our flights (I paid £666 for mine last year) and then get a shock later to find that it is over £2,000).