I am amazed at the huge price differences the airline companies charge as opposed to buying online from booking companies like Priceline.com, orbitz, expedia, travelocity, hotwire and many others.
I just priced a flight in 3 weeks time from West Coast USA to Europe and many airlines are charging triple what it costs at the discounters, why is this, does anyone still book directly with the airlines anymore? Are the Airlines ripping us off?
2007-09-06 02:32:36 · 6 answers · asked by David C 3 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Airlines are ripping you off and they dont care. Hotels do it too but people dont notice as much. Airlines are too obvious. Keep booking through discount websites and show those bast---- who is boss!
2007-09-06 03:42:05 · answer #1 · answered by bellesnail 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
usually, the online travel agencies such as expedia, orbitz, travelocity, etc. are slightly HIGHER than dealing directly with the airline, this would be their commission (profit).
It is typically $5-10 per ticket higher.
The Priceline or Hotiwre tickets that you "bid" or "name your own price" for, are sometimes less expensive, BUT, you can NOT CHANGE the itinerary, routing, airline, etc, once you accept it.
do NOT even try to call the airline or the travel agency to say "This flight time/schedule/routing/etc doesnt work for me."
They wont/cant change it..
You use it as it is, or lose it.
(Added note): One other thing, try calling Expedia or Travelocity, to fix any mistake they make, and find out you are calling someone in Pakistan, India or Philippines, who has NO CLUE about customer service, airline ticketing, or even the difference between Dayton, Ohio and Daytona Beach Florida.
2007-09-06 02:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Smart 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wait until something goes wrong with your internet purchase, and you're trying to check in for your flight.
The airline has ZERO responsibility to help you if Orbitz, Travelocity, etc screwed up, and they do... A LOT.
You have to somehow contact who ever you bought the ticket through, so they can work it out with the airline. By that time, your flight is long gone.
2007-09-06 05:40:13 · answer #3 · answered by gromit801 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've bought plenty of tickets directly from the airlines websites. Often it's cheaper because they don't add extra site fees. I flew from Philadelphia to Rome last year and the ticket came from US Airways website. It's also easier to set up your frequent flier program and be credited. Don't get me wrong I still use orbitz, travelocity, etc. to find the flight and price but then check the airlines site.
2007-09-06 06:54:59 · answer #4 · answered by Kristina 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
we just bought tickets from LAX to Melbourne, Australia to visit my husband's family and we bought directly from the Air New Zealand website because they were A LOT cheaper. And believe me, my husband researched EVERY possible place to buy the tickets for several months before buying and ANZ was consistently the cheapest and they offer video monitors in every seat back!! We have a 3 and 1 year old so this is invaluable.
I also recently bought tickets from Colorado Springs to Pensacola via the American Airlines website and they were cheaper than the discount sites, too.
2007-09-06 02:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by lmvenning 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are some where it is cheaper. That is the reason I shop, but you are right they are "generally cheaper online".
This is my help from Washington, D.C. USA.
2007-09-06 02:41:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋