I love to travel and explore new places, people and cultures. I love to research and plan for a trip. But nothing could be harder for me about travel than purchasing my airline tickets.
I don’t know why it’s so hard to push that final button once all the information is plugged in. It’s not about the money. I really want to go. But it’s hard to make the final commitment. I hope I’m not the only person that deals with this.
I research on all the booking agents online. Spending hours comparing prices. Plus there’s the fact that on long international flights, 24-36 hours to reach the final destination, there are layovers. Do I want to hang out at Heathrow in London for 4-7 hours in January when it’s too cold for me to leave the airport? How about Phoenix to someplace in Canada, then maybe Denmark before the final destination? Then there’s the fact that I like to land in the morning, after rush hour, and get on with the new day which will be 9 hours off from my usual biological clock. And when returning, land around noon because I still have a two hour shuttle ride plus another hour by a friend to get home.
So after all that, I pick what seems like the best option at the best price only to be told it’s no longer available. But funny thing because the next day, it’s back, but the price went up almost $200. What’s up with that. I’m not traveling over any holidays.
And unfortunately I haven’t been smart enough in the past to accumulate air miles. That has changed but won’t do me any good until the next flight.
Am I the only traveler that has this problem?
I haven’t done holiday travel overseas where I’ve had to book tickets yet so I won’t pretend to know how it feels. But planning has to be done correctly so I can imagine that SOME people would have it tough making the final commitment.
And I’m not good at commitment.
The tickets I choose do seem always to be no longer available. Sometimes I think it’s a come on. I always end up paying more and having less convenient times.
Does seem like a game.
We don’t travel the distances you do but we have similar issues. The most convenient flights are the most expensive. Flights come and go during a single seating. We spend lots of time trying to optimize everything. It drives me crazy. That is why I like Southwest Airlines. Really easy there. If they fly where you are going.
There are several airline options but I’m kinda hooked on South African Air. Don’t think SW goes overseas.
Gaelyn, you are a braver person than I am and I can’t help you. buying airline tickets always cause me anxiety! Good luck! I hope it was worth all the aggravation!
I get flustered. But I eventually get it done.
Yup, totally have the same problem. Took me over 3 weeks to finally book my flights to France this winter. Lots and lots of time looking at flights, missing tickets by a day, trying to finally commit.
Nina
Sure glad to know I’m not the only one.
The hardest part of travel for me is the day/night before we leave. No matter where we are going or how long we’ll be gone or the mode of transportation, I am always full of angst the day/night before we leave. Never fails. I always play the deadly what-if game in my head. Once we actually leave, I’m totally okay and always wonder what I was so worried about. Go figure!
Oh yea, the night before there is no sleep for me. I am both anxious and excited.
I guess I am always too excited to have any delays in booking flights. By getting my ticket, the trip is more real for me so have no problem committing myself. Heathrow Airport in London was an amazing experience for me – it was the first time I saw an Arab in traditional dress and the punks sleeping and making love along all the walls was something not to be missed. LOL!!
Thank goodness I won’t have any over long layovers. Just JFK.
My last air flight in and out of the US was prior to TSA. IF I ever fly again I’ll depart from and arrive back in some country other than the US. That will add to my problems for sure but I’m not going to voluntarily submit to an arm of the Police State.
The US is the worse for getting back into. When I leave South Africa I have to go through two security checks there only because I’m flying to the US.