Cons to booking with Travelocity?

[aubriee]

I'm used to booking air fare directly through the airline websites. However, with Air Tran no longer flying out of DFW after Nov 22nd, I need a new airline and airfare for Nov 26th and Dec 4th. Going through Travelocity American Airlines has direct/nonstop flights for $267.40. The exact same flight numbers (#1712 and #533) booking directly with American Airlines is $332.40. What are the cons for booking with a company like Travelocity, instead of directly through the airlines? Is it worth it to save $65.40/ticket? How would you check in and get your boarding passes if you go through Travelocity?

 

[seashoreCM]

If something goes wrong including airline schedule changes, getting things fixed or improved is often a hassle with third party online agencies like Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also, just because Travelocity is displaying that price doesn't mean it will actually exist when you go to pay for the ticket. Orbitz is notorious for this.

 

[aubriee]

Also, just because Travelocity is displaying that price doesn't mean it will actually exist when you go to pay for the ticket. Orbitz is notorious for this.

I just checked and went all the way through to where you pay. the $267.40 is correct and showed as the balance due. If I book through Travelocity how do I check in and get my boarding pass? Do they give you a confirmation number that would work on American's site? Would I be able to log on at the AA site at 24 hours and get the boarding pass? Who would notify me if the time changed--American or Travelocity? I've just never booked through a third party and don't know how it works.

 

[aubriee]

If something goes wrong including airline schedule changes, getting things fixed or improved is often a hassle with third party online agencies like Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.

Also, just because Travelocity is displaying that price doesn't mean it will actually exist when you go to pay for the ticket. Orbitz is notorious for this.

Thanks! Today I decided to go ahead and book through AA.com. They dropped their flights from $332.40 to $277.40, so I went ahead and grabbed them. This is the most I've ever paid for flights to Orlando though. With Air Tran I usually pay $188.00-$219.00 r/t.

I absolutely hate that Southwest is pulling Air Tran out of Dallas. They and American were our only options for nonstop flights to MCO. Now American has no competition. I checked airfares for all airlines flying out of DFW or out of Dallas Lovefield to MCO this morning and was shocked at the price differences. Looking at early morning flights out and early evening return flights, this is what I found for my dates:

American Airlines -(nonstop/direct) $277.40 r/t
Southwest Airlines -(with a layover) $611.80 r/t
Continental (with a layover) $386.00 r/t out of DFW and $519.00 r/t out of Lovefield
Delta- (with a layover) $317.00 r/t out of DFW and $ 518.00 r/t out of Lovefield
United- (with a layover) $513.80 r/t out of both DFW and Lovefield
US Air- (with a layover) $513.00 r/t out of DFW

Southwest has always been alot higher out of Dallas, but their prices are ridiculous now. I WANT MY AIR TRAN BACK!!!!!!