Orbitz-Low fares to Paris on Air France

What dates are you looking at? I'm interested in June and they are more like $700+ for this route on orbitz.

September/October

I only book Orbitz when it is all the same airline on all legs of the trip. Orbitz will give you a booking number for AF, you call or go online with that number to pick your seats and confirm your on the flight. Where is the risk?

For what it's worth, I used to buy mostly domestic (and a few international) tickets from Orbitz for years (I probably had more than 20 purchases)...I never had any issues. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I never needed to cancel a flight either or had the problems (probably because I picked comfortable connection times). For me, the risk was very small. That may not be the case for others, but I wouldn't categorically write off Orbitz just because it's a third party.

Recent articles have recommend using OTA (online travel agencies) to put a hold on fares like this for 24 hours while you shop around and make up your mind, because they allow you to cancel without penalty.

However, if you ever have a problem with your flight, you just know that Orbitz and the airline will refuse to help you and just point at the other.

Orbitz was set up by an airline consortium to compete with OTAs. I see it as the same as buying directly from an airline.

MrsEb-Gotcha! Let's just hope that does not happen. My friend booked the flights so I hope all goes well. I booked by next Europe Trip through Orbitz for flights and have dealt with the airline on choosing seats, putting in all our contact information and Passport info and so far so good. I did tell my friend to keep an eye on the flights that it is up to the traveler to check for delays, cancellations etc.

Agreed, I do this anyway since I am a worry wort and worse case scenario type of a person. Thinking about my last trip to Europe I booked flights using points through Chase and that was a 3rd party booking site and everything went okay, but like you stated there was no cancellations or delays. The airline I booked with is direct flight there and connection on the way home, all with the same airline so hopefully if anything goes wrong I am dealing with one airline.

I think you will be OK. Air France will help and rebook you for ordinary cancellations and delays, They are the operating carrier and you deal with them no matter where you bought the ticket.

AF can't give you a refund or book you on another airline. They may be more strict about missing flights due to flat tires. If you can see the ticket on the AF website and any connections are on one ticket you're fine.