The savvy traveler is armed with insider information. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the Internet successfully and safely.
Know when sales start. Last-minute deals may vanish in minutes. If you have a favorite booking site or airline, find out when last-minute deals are released to the public. (For example, Southwest's specials are posted every Tuesday at 12:01 am central time, while those for many other airlines are posted at 12:01 AM on Wednesdays.)
Shop around. If you're looking for bargains, compare prices on different sites and airlines--and against a travel agent's best fare. Try a range of times and alternative airports before you make a purchase.
Stay secure. Book only through secure sites (some airline sites are not secure). Look for a key icon (Netscape) or a padlock (Internet Explorer) at the bottom of your Web browser before you enter credit card information or other personal data.
Avoid online auctions. Sites that auction airline tickets and frequent-flier miles are the number-one perpetrators of Internet fraud, according to the National Consumers League.
Maintain a paper trail. If you book an E-ticket, print out a confirmation, or write down your confirmation number, and keep it safe and accessible--or your trip could be a virtual one!