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How to Book a Domestic Flight (and Get a Better Deal)

Tap through each step in order to book a domestic flight without overpaying or getting caught out by a fare's fine print.

  1. Decide between booking direct or using a comparison site

    Booking directly through an airline's app or site makes it easier to catch airline-specific promotions and earn loyalty miles, while a flight comparison site is more convenient when you want to compare several airlines' fares side by side.

  2. Search with your dates, route, and passenger count

    Enter your departure and arrival cities, one-way or round-trip, and the number of travelers, then compare the fares that come up for your preferred dates.

  3. Check what the fare type actually includes

    A basic or discount fare is usually cheaper but comes with stricter change and refund rules, sometimes disallowing changes entirely -- check the fine print before booking if there is any chance your plans could shift.

  4. Review seat selection and baggage add-ons

    Whether seat selection and checked baggage are included depends on the fare type, so check what is bundled in and add anything you need before checkout rather than discovering a surprise fee at the airport.

  5. Complete payment and save your confirmation

    After payment, your booking reference and e-ticket usually arrive by email or text -- keep them handy, along with a photo ID, for check-in.

  6. Enter your frequent flyer number to earn or redeem miles

    Adding your airline loyalty number during booking lets you earn miles on the flight, or in some cases redeem miles you have already accumulated toward the fare.

Direct booking versus comparison sites, at a glance

There is no universally better option -- book directly with an airline when a specific promotion or your mileage program matters, and use a comparison tool when your main goal is finding the lowest fare across several airlines at once.

A cheap fare is not always the cheapest option overall

A steeply discounted fare that turns out to be non-changeable and non-refundable can end up costing more than a slightly pricier flexible fare if your plans shift even slightly -- weigh the fare restrictions against how firm your travel dates actually are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a discount fare always the better deal?

Not necessarily -- discount fares tend to come with high change or cancellation fees, or no changes allowed at all, so they make the most sense when your travel dates are completely fixed.

Can I choose my seat after booking?

It depends on the airline and fare -- some assign seats for free at check-in, while others let you pay an add-on fee to pick a specific seat right after booking.