Flying Domestic - It’s been my experience that when traveling within the United States I simply stick to what I know. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as working with Travelocity has always provided me with some competitive pricing and a name I could trust. Plus I liked that little gnome but well, whatever…the truth is It just made me comfortable. Sure, there are a few big names out there when it comes to flying. I’m sure I could feel safe establishing my flight plans with just about any of them but Travelocity had been the old stand bye and I’ve never been disappointed. Bottom Line: If your concerned about security and accurate hassle free booking then Travelocity is one of the most safe and reliable options you can explore.
Flying International - On my first International Journey I switched it up. Why? Honestly I don’t know. Maybe it was because I was leaving the Country. Everything was going to be new and foreign, my as well start with the booking of my flight…..right?
Taking the advice of a friend, a avid traveler to far off destinations I shopped my international flight at a site I had never heard of called Vayama. Vayama’s biggest claim is finding the cheapest flight when it comes to International Travel. This sounded perfect.
After a hour or two of exploring and jumping back and fourth between Travelocity, Vayama, and Orbitz I did indeed find some great deals. Infact, 4 out of the 6 searches did find flights ranging from a few dollars cheaper to a few hundred dollars. The other 2 were comparable in price. Now let me be clear, some of the flights found were of a different caliber. What I mean by this is that at times I actually found flights that included a hour long commute by rail.
Is this bad? Not really because remember, this is their claim to fame. They are going to dig up the stuff that a lot of sites won’t bother to show you. In doing so you may come across a more involved itinerary or complex fare rules, especially when multiple airlines are included in a single itinerary.
Other features I liked about Vayama included a neat interactive map to plan and visualize your trip and a instant price comparison feature that will instantly perform your search on multiple platforms. That’s right, after you perform a search you will see a button on your left sidebar that will instantly perform your search on Tripadvisor, Booking Buddy, Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia. How cool is that.
Even more, I really liked the useful extras they offer. This includes passport and visa information, health-safety & transportation guides as well as useful tips on country etiquette.
Although Vayama might not be for everyone for some a hour long commute by rail is just all part of the experience of being a budget traveler. In the end I did book with Vayama but it was a simpler flight plan similar to those found on the other travel sites. I saved around 60 dollars. My experience was uneventful meaning I had no trouble and the trip went as smooth as any other trip I had been on.
What you need to know: Vayama is Backed by one of the largest travel organizations in the world, BCD Holdings NV, and comes to the table with a lot of experience and support to make it a reliable trustworthy booking engine. However, be certain to review the rules associated with each itinerary as the ability to provide cheap prices often times comes with a Rule. So what’s the RULE? DON’T CHANGE YOUR PLANS or you will pay big.
See, Vayama is essentially a flight consolidator meaning they find the great deals by filling empty seats on international flights. Your flight itinerary may involve multiple airlines, each with a set of individual fare rules. Everything is hanging in the balance and the only thing keeping it together is your solid travel plan. Don’t change your plans and chances are you will be satisfied with Vayama. Check them out for yourself.
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