In rare instances, you may have the same flight number, but you will have to change planes. This can happen if the airline has to change aircraft for operational reasons... so pay attention... if the flight attendants announce that there will be a change of planes.... YES, they may be talking to YOU.

If you booked a flight from the U.S. to Europe as a direct flight from, say San Francisco through an East Coast City to London, you may have to get off the aircraft and re-board at another gate. Your direct flight may have the same flight number for both segments, but maybe there is a larger aircraft for that longer segment, or the airline agents may have to check your documents.

A non-stop flight is the way to go if you're in a hurry or you want to make sure you don't have the hassles of getting your carry-on luggage from one plane to another. It will also get you to your destination in the shortest amount of time.

If you book your trip on connecting flights, you have to know that you might be making your journey longer, because this requires changing planes at one or more airports along the way. In these days of passengers trying to find the cheapest airfare possible on the internet, it's amazing how complicated itineraries with connecting flights can be.

If you're booking online you should pay attention to how many legs this trip will actually entail. Is it really worth making three stops, with three changes of planes, three chances of weather problems or some other delay to ruin your trip... all to save 10 or 20 bucks?

It could take you 12 hours to get from San Francisco to Denver instead of 3 hours on a non-stop flight.... Was losing a day of your vacation with all those connections worth the money you saved?

While we're defining the basics, let's make sure you understand your ticket.... We're talking electronic tickets vs paper tickets. Do you know what you have? Take SOME kind of paper with you in either case. With the paper ticket, it's obvious... it should BE the ticket.... no ticket, no flight.

If you have an e-ticket, take your confirmation number and your itinerary with you.

It's amazing how many people don't know what kind of ticket they have or how many stops they're making. People complain about airline agents all the time... but much of the time, the passengers create their own problems. Those agents are not psychic, they can't read your mind and figure out where you thought you wanted to go!

No matter what kind of ticket you have, check in at least an hour prior to departure for domestic flights, earlier still for international flights. "Scheduled Time of Departure" does not mean that's when you should show up at the airport. Just kidding...

We're trying to get your attention so YOU pay attention and know what kind of ticket you have, where you're going, and when you should be at the airport. Don't be an uninformed passenger.

Is a little more time in the plane and the savings that might come with it worth it to you? Then a direct or a connecting flight will be fine. If you want to get there fast... book a non-stop flight. And however you decide to go, have your ticket and documents with you. Knowing what to expect, you'll have a great time.

This travel tip is brought to you by Stuart Hely, founder of www.BookCentralCoast.com.au, the specialists in NSW Central Coast accommodation.