Haggling for a lower priced flight

[wingnut143]

I am planning a trip to the USA next month and am looking at flights. The cheapest I have found is with ebookers and is �363, after almost 3 hours of looking at lots of screenscrapers, travel agents etc. Has anyone out there haggled with flight brokers/airlines/travel agents and managed to get their flights discounted? Thanks for your replies in advance.

[jno]

http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/us/081014 /081021/cheapest-flights-to-united-states-from -united-kingdom.html

though it depends where and when you're going. I've never haggled; I suppose it might just work if you turned up minutes before takeoff and asked how much they'd take for a seat that would otherwise be empty, but any time before that I should think they'll be holding out for a better offer.

[spudqueen]

These days it is usually cheaper the earlier you book rather than later. �363 doesn't sound bad for a return to the US, I have certainly paid more.

[mikey0118]

There would be no harm in haggling, however, often you can bring the cost of a trip down by booking more than just a flight. If you need accommodation, car hire etc for your trip, see how much it costs by booking it as a package. British Airways recently quoted me �1,300.00 for a return economy flight to the USA (I couldn't believe it either!) but by booking accommodation and a car with them, the total cost was reduced dramatically to �480 per person.

[BenDToy]

I travel to the US 2 or 3 times a year. I have never tried haggling but can't imagine it working since the web sites work on minimal margins and are usually cheaper than booking direct with the airlines. In my experience Expedia usually come up with the best prices (or near enough) and I sometimes don't even search around any more. Also they are very helpful if you have to phone them. I once selected the wrong date by mistake and had to change my booking immediately after confirming. They let me do this without any problems or charge. I personally would snap up a flight at �363. For many airlines the taxes and other "add ons" can be nearly �300.