Traveling 101: Tickets

Every new traveler needs to master booking transportation. No matter how you travel, you will find many similarities.

If you’re new to booking your adventures, there are a few things you might not know or realize, and you could become a little overwhelmed without some background knowledge.

This post provides an overview of the basics and offers key tips to consider. I hope you find the best way to book your tickets and that it works best for you.

Keep in mind that many parts of travel are subjective. We don’t all have exact needs or finances. My goal is to give an overview to help you get started.

If you came here looking for a set of rules that all travelers follow, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I learned from experience that every traveler has their own rules and booking style.

The more you book or practice booking, the more familiar you become with the process and what you like and dislike. Soon, the process will be less stressful and easier for you.

Traveling 101: Tickets Podcast Episode

This article complements my first podcast episode. Please check out my other episodes on your favorite podcast player.

Terms

I want to make sure we are on the same page. Buying tickets and making reservations are the same thing.

Also, tickets are referred to as boarding passes.

Three main types of tickets

There are three main ticket types within the travel industry, and I am not referring to accommodations, such as business, first class, or economy. I am referring to one-way, round-trip, and multi-city tickets.

Depending on your trip, you may purchase one or more ticket types.

One-Way Tickets

One-way tickets are pretty straightforward. A one-way ticket is only valid for one direction; you did not pay to return home or travel elsewhere.

These tickets offer flexibility, as you can travel on one carrier and return on another.

Another fun option is to take the train and fly back, or vice versa.

Additionally, one-way travel is well-suited for long-term travelers who may want to stay at a destination for an extended period but are unsure where or when they wish to go next.

Advantages of one-way tickets

One advantage is that you don’t have to come back—you probably do—but they give you opportunities for adventure.

Buying one way can spread the cost over several paydays. You could pay for going out with one check and return the favor with the next paycheck. I’ve done that myself over the years.

Sometimes, it allows you to come up with trips not typically offered.

For example, I might want to go from Chicago to New Orleans via Washington, DC. This trip is not the trip that most people would like to take, but I did it because I wanted to try different trains. It was a way to travel on a route I had never traveled before.

Later, we will cover another way to book that trip in the multi-city section: combining a few one-way tickets into a single booking.

Another reason you might want to buy one-way tickets is for a better deal. For example, another airline might offer a better deal for return flights. Therefore, traveling with one airline and returning home on a different one might make sense.

It’s easier to make changes on the fly with one-way tickets because, depending on your carrier, you can often change the second (or more) ticket with less hassle once you start the trip.

Disadvantages of one-way tickets

The first disadvantage is that you then have to come back! Haha.

Also, you have more paperwork to handle. If you prefer a tidy, thin travel folder, you may want to consider other options that work for you.

It could cost you more when you break up your journey into segments with one-way tickets.

You’re not guaranteed a connection if you create your trip using one-way tickets.

Suppose you book a trip with two carriers, like other airlines, with same-day travel because you found a great deal. The second airline is not obligated to take any action if something goes wrong.

Other One-Way Ticket tidbits

If you miss your connection with Amtrak when booking two one-way tickets, or do not have enough layover time, Amtrak is not aware that you’re transferring first, and they’re not obligated to take any action.

You should be aware of one-way tickets because they may involve more than one segment.

For example, if I bought a ticket from Sturtevant to San Francisco, it has three segments for that adventure.

The first is for the Hiawatha between Sturtevant and Chicago, the second is for the California Zephyr between Chicago and Emeryville, and the third is a bus from Emeryville to San Francisco.

Another example is flying Southwest back and forth between Milwaukee and Omaha. Most of my one-way tickets included two planes, one from Milwaukee to St. Louis. After a layover, I then flew to Omaha.

Round-trip tickets

A round-trip ticket means your reservation is for a trip that goes out and returns on one ticket. Like one-way, these two can have more than one segment.

Round-trip tickets are the best option if you prefer minimal paperwork and pay for everything in one lump sum.

The entire trip is outlined on a single piece of paper, featuring a code that works for your whole Amtrak journey.

This scenario might not be the case for airlines, as one bar code may not be sufficient for the entire trip.

So you may have more than one boarding pass, but if you print your ticket off at home, you could have it on one sheet of paper (depending on your trip). In this case, ensure you have the correct ticket for each segment when you fly.

Advantages of round-trip tickets.

After your payment clears, you will have all the tickets to go out and return.

This method makes things easier for some people to maintain because there is less paperwork.

It may be more cost-effective to purchase round-trip tickets, especially when traveling internationally. Why? I don’t know.

Disadvantages of round-trip tickets

For some people, one downside is that it requires a significant upfront investment. Therefore, it’s more challenging to spread the cost of the trip over several pay periods.

Sometimes, it is harder to make changes on your own. Once the ticket is scanned and you need to change a return date, you may need to call, visit in person, or go to the airport or train station. Or if you decide to go somewhere else before you go home.

Multi-city Ticket

One ticket type that I like the most, but that most people don’t know about, is the multi-city ticket.

These tickets allow you to either stretch out your travel, book uncommon routes, or create an adventure that works best for you.

Not all airlines offer this feature, such as Southwest, which is not available in the Amtrak app.

Remember the trip to New Orleans I talked about earlier?

That trip is an instance where multi-city tickets shine. Amtrak offers me the City of New Orleans from where I live, but I want to take Amtrak’s Crescent for more train time.

To do this, I must take the Capital Limited to DC and catch the Crescent to the Big Easy.

I can book this adventure because there’s plenty of overlap. A multi-city ticket makes booking a trip like this more accessible and sometimes saves money.

Another example is breaking up a trip.

My sister used to live in Charleston, South Carolina, and once, I wanted to visit friends in Philadelphia for a day or two before going to Charleston.

A multi-city ticket allowed me to do it on one ticket and save money.

Advantages of a Multi-city Ticket

As I mentioned earlier, sometimes you can save money by booking connecting trains, as they are often cheaper than booking separate ones. Regarding airlines, all flights for Delta are usually grouped for domestic flights, making it easier to create a creative booking. So you do not have to walk too far for your connecting flight. This is often not true if you are flying internationally.

Another advantage is having fewer tickets to worry about, giving you more flexibility. Multi-city tickets do not often need to be for the same day.

Cons of Multi-City Tickets

If you take Amtrak, they can see that you are transferring to a different train if there is a delay. So they might be able to do something. However, since this is a connection you put together, they’re not obligated to provide you with a hotel or any other assistance if something goes wrong, and it may not be valid for flying.

Like round-trip tickets, it is harder to change your ticket.

Multi-city tickets may not be the best option for first-time travelers. If you are careless, you could book a tight connection and get left behind. If this is the case, you will incur a cost.

Ticket Class

There are different classes of tickets depending on the type of transportation you’re looking for, and you need to determine which one works best for you, considering your comfort, style, and budget.

When you start shopping with Amtrak, Greyhound, and the airlines, you will find that they offer different ticketing levels for each class.

I cannot tell you which is best for you because I don’t know you that well; hopefully, we will get to know each other better. However, I can offer a few points that may help you make a decision. Because each person is different, there are no set rules for these.

The best advice I can give you is to read each tier carefully and decide what works best for you.

One thing I consider when flying and comparing tiers is the luggage allowance. The other is whether I get to pick my seat. I’m pickier about where I sit on a plane than on a train. Often, you are paying extra for more flexibility and a higher refund rate.

Southwest only has one type of seat, but the type of ticket you buy from them can determine your boarding position. For example, when you buy a business class seat, you earn more points and the chance to be one of the first fifteen people on the plane. They do offer an upgrade for earlier boarding.

Sometimes, spending more money to enhance your trip is worthwhile.

I flew to my sister’s a few times when she lived in Charleston and used Delta Comfort Plus. The extra legroom, priority boarding, and complimentary drinks made the cost worth it.

With Amtrak, I estimate the cost of food while on the train and compare it to the price of a room. Sometimes, I found a lot of value in spending more to get accommodation that covers food and lets me sleep horizontally.

Please don’t be too hard on yourself about this; upgrades can be a nice treat. Spending $30 or a little more makes your trip more accessible, but it may be worth cutting back elsewhere.

Where is the best place for you to buy tickets?

I purchase most of my tickets through the carrier’s website or app. Occasionally, I’ll call if I have a tricky booking, but you have the following options.

In-person

When you buy a ticket, you can buy it in person for some people.

This option doesn’t always work well because I live about an hour from the airport, a staffed Amtrak station, or a Greyhound station.

So it could cost me more than I would save, but this could be an option for you.

By Phone

If you have any questions or are new, this could be a good option for you, as it allows for a phone conversation, which is the next best thing. In some cases, it is a necessary way to book your trip.

For example, if you want to book two roomettes across from each other on an Amtrak train or book the bedroom suite, this could be your best option, as it is not possible to do so online or through the app.

Online

Booking tickets online directly from the carrier is often easy and quick. You can use the app or the website. I usually use both, depending on what I’m booking.

Third-party sites

Third-party sites such as Kayak offer deals you cannot find anywhere else, sometimes better deals than the carriers. Some people love and swear by these sites.

I do not because you might have to deal with a third party if something goes wrong. Instead of being able to deal with an airline that’s in front of you. And so it could take you longer to resolve any issues you might have.

Travel agents

Well, there’s another option. Suppose you want someone to plan your trip for you. A travel agent could be the way for you to go. If you’re going with a travel agent, ask them what happens. Can you deal directly with a carrier if something goes wrong, or do you need to go straight through them?

I am optimistic, but I like to have a Plan B.

I don’t plan to change tickets when I travel, and I don’t think others do either. However, I do have a plan B, so if something does happen, I’m ready.

If you need to change something after your ticket is scanned, you will likely need to call or visit in person to have the change made.

There may be fees associated with changes or a price difference that you would be responsible for if you make any changes.

However, sometimes you need to make changes because of something you want or something that didn’t go as planned.

How do I put all of this together?

When planning a trip, I consider one-way tickets and round-trip tickets. This system is quicker for me, but feel free to see what works best for you.

From my experience, I found that there are usually no price advantages for round-trip tickets. I found this true with many domestic flights as well. But I like to run the numbers through there, just in case.

When scheduling a trip, I often have two or more windows on my computer, one for each direction.

It’s a change of scenery and will be worth it.

Sometimes, it is worth paying more for a change of scenery.

For example, as I mentioned earlier, I used to visit San Francisco every year, and over the years, I took all of Amtrak’s Western routes.

I did it because it kept the trip fresh and gave me some new experiences I loved.

Transportation is part of my trip. Sometimes, I look forward to transportation more than I look forward to my destination, especially when traveling by train.

Post booking upgrades

You may not realize that you can upgrade after booking, but it’s worth checking if you can upgrade your trip after booking. If you bought the cheapest ticket, you might be unable to upgrade, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

A few times after I booked an Amtrak trip, rooms became available or cheaper upgrades became available. Amtrak also offers a bid-up process where you can put the maximum amount you’re willing to spend on an upgrade. If they don’t accept your bid, they don’t charge you, but sometimes you can score a great deal.

This option can also apply to airlines. I like window seats, so if I’m flying on Southwest and notice after booking that the ticket prices are going up, I may purchase their Earlybird (priority boarding) program; for this airline, this is their upgraded program.

You can practice now!

Before we go, I have a few other tips: if you’re new to travel and know you want to travel, but have no dates or destinations yet, or maybe you don’t even have time off, consider making some practice trips.

Pick a random destination, and see how you can get there. That way, you get used to the process before you have to start investing some money. And I find it fun.

Yes. I’m one of those people who plans a trip, even though I won’t take it after booking a ticket. Most carriers give you 24 hours to decide if you want to keep it.

So if something comes up and you need to cancel, you can get your money back. Some carriers, such as Amtrak, can hold a room or accommodation for you for a few days. You must call Amtrak or go to a station to make that reservation.

Some airlines also do this, but they often charge for it.

It takes time, and that is normal.

As you can see, there are things to consider when booking a trip. It may take a few trips to determine what you like and dislike. And that’s fine.

It took me years to gain the knowledge I have now. Please don’t get overwhelmed, as I may have provided you with more information than you needed in one sitting. I wanted to give you a basic understanding of things that come up when buying tickets,

You are the best person to determine what is best for you. If necessary, write a pros and cons list. Buying the cheapest ticket is sometimes the best option, but sometimes it’s worth spending more on seat selection or flexibility.

If you cannot travel, you can still practice your skills. Try different airlines if you want to fly. With Amtrak, try using the app or website. And if you’re not comfortable online, you can still call us. As I write this, the travel industry reports long waits when people call.

You can book tickets and travel! Remember, experience comes from doing and practicing, not sitting on the sidelines and learning. You don’t have to know everything before you start!