Expedia booking fee.

[Bea]

I thought I read somewhere that you could save the $5.00 booking fee with Expedia if you called them directly, instead of booking over the internet? Is this true?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Bea
I thought I read somewhere that you could save the $5.00 booking fee with Expedia if you called them directly, instead of booking over the internet? Is this true?

No. why pay someone to do something you are obviously more than capable of doing yourself? Expedia and Travelocity are great for checking the airfares of all the majors (SWA and I believe Jet Blue don't even use them), but, you are far better off booking directly with the airline.

 

[DebbieB]

Can you call expedia for reservations? I thought they were strictly internet.

As far as I know, the airlines don't pay commissions anymore to travel agents. The booking fee is their commission. Why would they waive it and get nothing for it? My company uses American Express Travel online for reservations. We have to pay a $20 fee for every ticket (which we expense). For my personal travel, I go directly to the airline site. It's never been more than I found on expedia.

 

[debden]

When you call Continental Airlines to book the airfare yourself you exclude the middle man and this helps if any problems arise...Then you can call Continental directly and get the answer you need and you don't have to go through the middle man to get your answer.
Debbie

 

[rlduvall]

Regarding "why would you book with expedia when you can book directly with airline." I find more often than not, that expedia/travelocity is alot cheaper than even the airlines direct site. Trust me, I check them all because I always prefer to book direct with airlines. Is no-one else finding this to be true? Maybe it is my region, Tulsa, Ok.

 

[DebbieB]

I've used expedia for price comparisons but have never found it to be cheaper than usairways.com. Earlier this year I did try to use one of the online ticket sites because it was alot cheaper but when I tried to book it gave me an error saying the fare was no longer available.

 

[macs4us]

My sister flies Delta a lot, and sometimes she can't get the cheaper rate directly through delta - via website or calling. She will even give the agent the booking/fare code, and they say they can't get that rate for her. Very odd...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by rlduvall
Regarding "why would you book with expedia when you can book directly with airline." I find more often than not, that expedia/travelocity is alot cheaper than even the airlines direct site. Trust me, I check them all because I always prefer to book direct with airlines. Is no-one else finding this to be true? Maybe it is my region, Tulsa, Ok.

I have yet to find a less expensive fare on expedia. I have, in the past, looked on expedia and travelocity and found the exact fares on the website.

 

[rlduvall]

Gail:

I can assure you I am the most diligent when it comes to cost cutting on vacations. If I don't think I got the best deal, I can't enjoy my vacation, lol. Expedia/Travelocity are almost always cheaper by about 100.00 for my region. I was finding AA airfare on Expedia/Travelocity to TPA for 192.00 On AA's website, it was $306.00 It's a mystery!!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by rlduvall
Gail:

I can assure you I am the most diligent when it comes to cost cutting on vacations. If I don't think I got the best deal, I can't enjoy my vacation, lol. Expedia/Travelocity are almost always cheaper by about 100.00 for my region. I was finding AA airfare on Expedia/Travelocity to TPA for 192.00 On AA's website, it was $306.00 It's a mystery!!!!

Honest, I don't dispute your experiences. I am simply relating mine. If I sounded like I was doing anything else, I am sorry.

 

[rlduvall]

Gail:

No offense taken; airfare envy, I guess, lol.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I have yet to find a less expensive fare on expedia. I have, in the past, looked on expedia and travelocity and found the exact fares on the website.

Yep, me too. I usually will check Expedia or some other online agency to see what's available, but I can then go to USAir's site and get the same flights for the same rate minus the fees. (Out of PIT USAir is practically the only choice, lol.)