Using Web Sites For Airfare

Orbitz and Expedia, definitely reliable.

Frequently, you can go to the airline's website and get a similar price if you are uncomfortable with Orbitz/Expedia etc...

There are some fly by night consolidators to be careful using. These are not them though.

I've gone to Germany eight times in the last nine years, and always used something like Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity. Never had a problem.

I use Kayak.com and have had good results--for some flights it takes you directly to the website for the specific airline.

What about Priceline?

There is one BIG disadvantage which is why I don't use online TAs unless doing a booking that uses multiple airlines.

The TA 'owns' the reservation until you make the first flight..

SO when the airline changes the flights time so they don't work for you, cancels the flight etc... you get to call an online TA. It's online... think they have many LIVE agents? They don't. I book directly with the airline just to avoid this.

As for Priceline, with the name your own price remember you lose ALL controls. Make sure you can live with the LEAST desirable flights and that you bid VERY low. I wouldn't do it unless I was saving A LOT. And you are at the bottom of the airlines "list" when it comes to dealing with issues.

I've used them before but prefer to book directly with the airline whenever possible. Travelocity once (about two-three years ago)sold me a great deal on airfare, but as soon as my credit card was charged they called to tell me that the itinerary I had purchased didn't really exist because the airlines in question didn't have baggage agreements.(I'm still not sure why it was portrayed as a viable option online)Anyway, long story short, I was refunded but it took a good week, which cost me another good deal on airfare since my money was all tied up. So, generally speaking, these sites are reliable, but like anything, there's certainly the potential for some confusion.

Cindy, I've used Priceline and it's non-blind bidding option, LowestFare, a number of times and have always had good experiences. The savings probably often is due to multiple airlines combining to route you through inexpensively. It you are extremely picky about routes or schedules, blind bidding on Priceline is not a good choice. But if you just want to get somewhere for about half the published rates you can find anywhere, it's a great option. With the LowestFare division of Priceline, I once had to cancel my mother's flight (due to her Alzheimer's) and completely change my daughters and my multi-airline itinerary. LowestFare just gave me the numbers to call the airlines directly and I was treated extremely well, as if I had booked with them in the first place. With a letter from her doctor, my mother was given a full refund. My daughter and I paid a small penalty and were rerouted. One airlines even called the other and took over our flights to make our new route easier for us. I could not have expected or asked for any better treatment. We were NOT treated like second class citizens for booking through another agency. That said, though, I would rather just book directly with the airlines themselves IF the price is about the same. Often there is a choice between price and convenience, so you have to weigh out your circumstances and make that decision.

Has anyone tried CheaOair or EconomyTravel.com? I find that both of them are quoting lower fares for International flights than Expedia/Travelocity, etc....

I think you are referring to "cheapoair.com:? I used them once for a flight from Portland to Yuma. Everything worked out fine. Dan

I would be careful with CheapOAir. They consistently receive poor reviews on the TA Airline forum.

Head over there and do a search for yourself.

Carol, let me tell you whay I don't like using the booking sites. The last time I used them for an open jaw flight, using multiple airlines, I had one heck of a time picking my seats; and that is important to me.

But I was "forced" to use them because I could not replicate the prices that they found.

On another occasion I tried to take an earlier flight, but was not allowed to because I had not booked directly with the airline.

I generally use them to find my flights, then book directly with the airline.