Flight opinions

In my opinion, it's best to avoid booking through third parties unless you have a very high tolerance for risk. If you need to cancel or change your flights, or you run into any issues during your travel, the OTA (online travel agent) and the airline are going to bounce you back and forth and say the other is responsible for helping you.

I am at the point in my life that I have a very low tolerance for risk and aggravation when I travel, so I only book direclty through the airline. I don't want to have to deal with a middleman if I run into a problem.

Do a google search on 'pros and cons of booking flights through a third party" and you'll have plenty to read on the topic.

You really would be better if you book direct with the airline. Should something happen they will work with you if you book direct. Not so if you go thru another party.

And if you can't find the same fare on the airline website, something is up. Either it's not a "live" fare or they are cobbling something together that might not work in real life - such as with airlines that are not in the same code share group so your trip is not protected is one leg goes south.

Agree with all the above - always book direct with the airline you choose to use.

kayla.p. mirrors some of my experiences with third party airline booking sites. Not worth the aggravation.

Having said that I've had no issues with booking hotels like with hotels.com, etc., and have often gotten better deals than from the hotel website. Airline booking, however, nope.

Research on Kayak but book directly with the airline.

Is what you are seeing on Kayak and the airline site the EXACT same thing? ( same flights, seat class, seat/bag fees etc)

If so, call the airline and see if they will match it.

Put me in the 'book with the airline' group.

Agree with Big Mike about using Kayak, Expedia, etc. for booking of hotels and rental cars. If something goes south with one of those bookings, it will be easier to find another place to stay/find another rental car, than if your flight gets cancelled and you have to rebook or find another flight, while dealing with an OTA.

Thank you all for your wisdom - much appreciated! Booking through airline. Keep on traveling!