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A ticket is not the same as a fareThe three ticket types you will see on AirfinnsHow to pick the cheapest ticket that still fitsNames on cheap tickets: get this right firstWhen your cheap ticket is issuedFour cheap ticket myths we hear on the phoneWho we areHow the booking process worksImportant informationFAQsThe cheapest flight ticket is usually a Basic Economy or lowest-tier economy fare. It flies you from A to B, but often without seat choice, changes or a full-size carry-on. Airfinns labels the ticket type on every result so you can choose the lowest ticket that still covers what you need.
A ticket is not the same as a fare
The fare is the price and the rules attached to it. The ticket is the document the airline issues once that fare has been paid for — today, always electronic. Your ticket carries a 13-digit number; the first three digits identify the airline that issued it (001 for American, 006 for Delta, 016 for United, for example).
You also receive a six-character booking reference, often called a PNR or record locator. The PNR is your reservation; the ticket number proves it has been paid for. When we say a booking is "ticketed", we mean the e-ticket number now exists in the airline's system.
The three ticket types you will see on Airfinns
| Ticket type | Typical inclusions | Typical restrictions | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Basic Economy, Economy Light, Saver | Seat on the flight, personal item | No seat choice, last boarding, usually no changes; some carriers exclude a full-size carry-on | Solo trips with fixed dates and light luggage |
| Standard Main Cabin, Economy, Classic | Carry-on, seat selection (sometimes for a fee), changes without a change fee on most US carriers | Fare difference applies to changes; usually non-refundable to cash | Most leisure and family trips |
| Flexible Main Flex, Economy Flex, Refundable | Changes and often refunds to original payment | Higher price | Business travel or uncertain dates |
Inclusions vary by airline and route. The exact rules for your ticket appear on the fare before you select it and again on your confirmation.
How to pick the cheapest ticket that still fits
Ask three questions before choosing a low-cost ticket. Our desk asks the same three on every call.
Will my dates change?
If there is any real chance, a Standard ticket that allows changes for the fare difference is usually cheaper in the end than a Basic ticket you may lose.
What am I carrying?
Add the cost of a carry-on or checked bag to a Basic ticket and compare it to the Standard ticket. The gap often shrinks to a few dollars.
Do we need to sit together?
Families travelling with children should look closely at seat-selection rules. Some airlines seat children with an adult at no charge; others do not guarantee it on the lowest fares.
Call Airfinns — an independent travel agency, not an airline.
Names on cheap tickets: get this right first
Airline tickets are non-transferable. The name on the ticket must match the government ID the traveller will show at the airport — first and last name exactly as printed. Middle names are optional on most US domestic tickets but recommended for international travel.
Correcting a typo of one or two letters is often possible; changing the name to a different person is not. Because of this, our traveller-details form shows the name exactly as it will appear on the ticket before you pay. If you spot an error after booking, call +1 (888) 307-6252 straight away — a correction is easiest before the ticket is issued.
When your cheap ticket is issued
After payment, Airfinns submits the booking for ticketing. Most tickets are issued within minutes; some require a manual review that can take up to 24 hours, particularly for international itineraries, first-time payment cards, or bookings close to departure. You receive two emails: a booking request confirmation straight away, and an e-ticket confirmation with ticket numbers once issued.
If anything prevents issue — usually a fare that sold out during review — we contact you before charging a different amount. You are never ticketed at a price you did not approve.
Four cheap ticket myths we hear on the phone
- "Clearing cookies lowers the price." We have not seen evidence that fares are raised based on your browsing. Prices change because seats in a fare tier sell.
- "Tuesday at 3pm is always cheapest to book." Fare sales are sometimes launched early in the week, but there is no fixed hour that guarantees a lower fare.
- "A cheaper ticket means a worse seat." On Basic tickets you may not choose the seat, but the seat itself is the same economy seat.
- "You can sell or give away a ticket you cannot use." Airline tickets are tied to the named traveller and cannot be transferred.
Who we are
Airfinns (airfinns.com) is an independent online travel agency owned and operated by VJS Travel LLC. We provide flight booking services through two channels: a self-service website and an assisted booking desk by phone.
We are not an airline. We do not own or operate flights and we have no affiliation with any airline. Our role is to search the fares airlines make available to travel agencies, help you choose, and process the booking and any later changes on your behalf.
Our Terms, Privacy, Refund, Cancellation and Service Fee policies are linked from every page, so the basis on which we operate can be read in full before anything is booked. Whether you book online or by phone, payment is taken only on our own secure systems, and every ticket comes with an airline booking reference you can verify directly with the airline.
How the booking process works
Search or call
Search flights on the website, or call our desk if you'd like help finding options.
Compare options
Review flights by price, journey time, stops and airline. Open any fare to see segments, baggage and rules.
Choose your fare
Pick the itinerary and fare family — Basic, Standard or Flexible — that fits your trip.
Review the full total
Airline fare, taxes and charges, and the Airfinns service fee, itemised before payment.
Secure payment
Pay on our encrypted checkout, or by card on a recorded call. Never by email or text.
Ticketing
We submit the booking to the airline. Most tickets are issued in minutes; some take up to 24 hours.
Confirmation
You receive the airline booking reference (PNR) and a 13-digit e-ticket number per traveller.
Ongoing support
Changes, cancellations and schedule changes handled by our 24/7 desk, under the airline's fare rules.