Groups, multi-city routes and long-haul trips are easier with a professional on your side. Here is how to ask for an airfare quotation and compare what comes back.
An airfare quote is a travel advisor's written proposal for your trip: the flights, the fare, what is included and the rules attached. It is not a ticket. Until the ticket is issued, the price can change and the seats can sell, so a quote is a snapshot of what is available at that moment. A good airfare quotation spells out the full itinerary with flight numbers and times, the total price with taxes, the baggage allowance, the change and cancellation rules, and the deadline for deciding.
Asking for a quote through the Official Travel Directory, our sister site, is free, and you are under no obligation to book.
For a simple round trip, the search box on this page is usually the fastest route to a good fare. A travel advisor earns their keep when the trip is complicated:
The more detail you give, the more accurate the price quote for a flight ticket will be. Include:
Once your request arrives, an advisor reviews it and may contact you with a few questions, such as whether you would accept a connection to save money or prefer particular departure times. They then come back with one or more options, often a good-value choice alongside a more convenient or more flexible one, and explain the differences. Nothing is booked until you say so. When you are ready, the advisor confirms the price is still available, collects the names exactly as they appear on each passport, and issues the tickets. You should then receive an e-ticket receipt with a ticket number for every traveler, and you can view the booking on the airline's website using the confirmation code.
For groups, expect the process to take a little longer, because the advisor may need to request space from the airline's group desk. Ask early if your dates are fixed, especially around holidays.
When you have more than one quote, or a quote and your own search, compare like with like:
The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A slightly higher fare with free changes or a shorter connection may be worth it.
Not long. Airline fares change often, sometimes several times a day, and an unticketed quote is never guaranteed. Some airlines let a reservation be held for a short time, and many US airlines let you cancel without penalty within 24 hours of booking if you booked at least a week before departure; DOT explains the rule on the U.S. Department of Transportation's air consumer pages. Group bookings work differently, with deposits and name deadlines set by the airline. If a quote looks right, ask how long it is valid and move quickly.
Tell a travel advisor where and when you want to fly, and get a quote back with no obligation. Requests go through the Official Travel Directory, our sister site.
Ready to compare? Use the search box at the top of this page, or compare flights on KAYAK.
It is a written proposal for your flights showing the itinerary, total price, what is included and the fare rules. It is not a ticket, and the price is not guaranteed until the ticket is issued.
Yes. Requesting a quote through the Official Travel Directory costs nothing and you are not obliged to book. If you do book, ask about any service fee up front.
Usually only a short time. Fares change frequently, so ask the advisor how long the quoted price is likely to hold and decide quickly.
Quotes are most useful for groups, multi-city or round-the-world trips, international itineraries on several airlines, premium cabins and travelers who need special assistance.
Compare the same flights and connection times, the total price with taxes and fees, change and cancellation rules, baggage and seats, mileage earning and who supports you if plans change.