Booking thru Orbitz Questions

[RweTHEREyet]

I use a little program called SideStep, it compares various airfares for you while you are looking on a particular airlines website, say Delta.

I am looking for flights to Orlando, and SideStep came up with some flights costing $204.00 per person on American. If I click the button to accept those flights, it takes me thru Orbitz. Cost still comes up $204.00

If I go to American's site directly to book it thru them, the very same days and flights come up $294.00 per person.

I always thought if you went directly to the site itself rather than Travelocity or something like that, fares were at least the same or lower, but never higher.

Does this seem right?

 

[Emerald31]

I purchased some airline tickets on Orbitz for my Las Vegas trip earlier this year. The price on Orbitz was $150, when I went to the American Airline website the price was $250. I even called American and asked if they could get me the lower fare and I was told that to get the price I had to purchase through orbitz for a internet only special. So I purchase from orbitz. Sometimes when a low fare is available on Orbitz and you go through the to the purchasing process it will tell you that fare is no longer available. If you are comfortable with the times and the fare is available I would go ahead and purchase. Also Orbitz is owned by the major airlines with the exclusion of Southwest airlines.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Interestingly enough, I called American and they found the same Orbitz rate for me. She said she could book for me herself, but I already had done so thru Orbitz. The reason I called American is that Orbitz kicked me out once after I had just put in my credit card info. I had to log back in and re-do everything. I then got concerned that I had booked twice. When I went back in, Orbitz gave me some additional time choices that were not available before. I originally was returning at 10:00 A.M., now can return at 4:00 P.M. American said they only saw one reservation in my name. I still don't have a confirmation from Orbitz, so I am still a wee bit concerned.

 

[safetymom]

Orbitz is funded by the airlines that you see on the site. Instead of giving money they give flights. So they may be for flights or times that you can't get on the airlines own website.

Sometimes Orbitz is cheaper, sometimes they aren't.

It just pays to check all the sites before booking your flights. It usually takes an hour or two to get final confirmation on Orbitz.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

My reservations were made last evening, and I don't have a confirmation yet. Think I will call them.

 

[safetymom]

I would call them then.

 

[mayday]

We have been watching MCO fares for several months-best price $396. One night , we happenened to find a $197rt fare on American thru Orbitz. Checked the American website, and sure enough, $396 again. Booked the Orbitz for 7 passengers immediately, and have not seen it again.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I called Orbitz and found out how to get my confirmation off their site. I really liked the way the screens were layed out showing flight information, very easy to read. I certainly will check Orbitz for future needs.

 

[safetymom]

Glad to hear reservation is OK. We are going at the end of Oct. I can't wait.

 

[DaveH]

If your have to get a paper ticket through Orbitz, make sure you use the Fed Ex option. If the ticket gets lost in the mail, there is a hefty fee to get it replaced. It happened to us and the fee is $100.