how do you like Orbitz?

[BobH]

I tried looking for flights to Venice for my son (a college student). The average flight on the internet was anywhere from $1200 to $1400 from Boston. Orbitz on two separate occasions showed a a $649 fare and a $619 fare. On two separate occasions I tried booking and I was informed that the fares were unavailable. Anyone else have this aggravating problem? I eventually went to a travel agent she got me a ticket through a consolidator.

[Jackie824]

I have only used Orbitz one time and that is for my upcoming trip to Disney on March 16th. Although, I did buy my planetickets last August for $143 rt.They were the cheapest when I came to looking for airfare from Nofolk Va toOrlando. They have been helpful in the fact they notified me via e-mail about a time change. We did call the airlines directlyand they had our resevations in the system with seat assignments and all. So far, I have been pleased with them.

[CarolMN]

I don't care for Orbitz for the very reason you listed. On 3 separate occasions, I tried to book a fare they listed only to be told that it wasn't available. I did email them about this and received a reply that basically amounted to "sorry that's the way it is").

After I did a little research I found out that the first display you see is basically a list of published fares. The "second" dip (after you try to book) actually looks for seats available at the listed price. Since they are now charging a $10 fee, I usually just use them for quick checks/comparisons and then hop to the specific airline's web site when I am ready to purchase.

I did book a hotel through them and found it to be a farily easy, painless process. That was last summer for a November stay. Since they are owned by a group of airlines, I have no fears/safety concerns about purchasing through them. I'm absolutely sure you end up with a legitimate ticket/hotel/car reserrvation. I just don't like the fee and what I consider to be the "bait and switch" way they list the fares. JMHO. YMMV.

[inkkognito]

We used to use Orbitz before they started the $10 fee and never had a problem. They tended to stick us in the back of the plane, but that was always easily resolved with a phone call to the airline. Now we use them as a search engine and then buy the tickets directly through the airline site. I would use them again if they got rid of the fee...they don't offer any value-added service, other than searching multiple airlines at once, so I won't pay a service charge. We only had a fare come up as unavailable when we tried to purchase it one time...not bad, since we fly to Orlando almost monthly and used to use Orbitz a lot.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[ralphd]

Orbitz is owned by Continental, American, Delta and United Air Lines.

[BobH]

Thanks for the information folks!