Expedia - weird?

[Miss Kelly]

I've been checking Expedia for our plane tickets next year. There are 5 of us going (3 Adults, 2 Children). When I put 5 travelers, I get the rate of $177. If I just put say 2 Adults, I get $137 for the same flights! I can't figure it out. It's crazy. I guess I'll just make 2 purchases, rather than do it all at the same time.

Anybody know why Expedia does this?

 

[mudnuri]

its because they do not have 5 seats available in the same booking code as the other 2

put in 2, then 3, then 4, then 5...see how many you can get at the lower price- then book them...then book whatevers left- again doing it 1 the 2 then 3...

Brandy

 

[DebbieB]

All of the airline sites do this. If you put in 5 and there are only 2 seats available at the low rate, it will give you all 5 at the higher rate. If you book the 2, the other 3 will come up at the higher rate. One thing to consider is if you do it that way, your family will be split on different reservations, which could cause problems if there are schedule changes.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Thanks the responses!

Will booking the reservations separately really cause any problems?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Miss Kelly
Thanks the responses!

Will booking the reservations separately really cause any problems?

It could. For example, if the airline changes the plane type, it will look at each reservation separately for seating. The five of you will probably end up not sitting together. If you book 2 and 3 for example, the 2 could end up sitting in a different area of the plane than the 3.

I'd still book to get the best rate. I'd just make sure that there was at least one adult with each child. Then it won't matter if all 5 of you are not seated together.

Best wishes -

 

[Captain Blue Sky]

Miss Kelly,

Does it change your itinerary in any way if you input the tickets for 2 and 3 people, rather than 5?

I'm wondering if routing or connections are altered.

I agree with CarolMN that you will likely have your seating split, but that's probably no big deal for you.

I haven't tried anything like this with Expedia. In talking with agents at our various airport outstations, however, I can tell you that Expedia does not always make convenient connections. Connections that can be made in an amount of time the air travel industry finds acceptable...

But this probably happens more with smaller cities rather than cities that have good air service.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Thanks for the responses.

The flight I am looking at is a direct flight. Connections aren't an issue.

I'm still undecided about whether to book the seats separately or not. I can get up to 3 Adults or 2 Adults & 1 Child before it starts showing an increase in price.

 

[castawayfan]

Depending on the airline, you can call them once you book and ask to link your reservations together. We do this when one of us is flying using FF miles and the other 2 are cash. That way if there are schedule or plane changes, they know you are traveling together and try to keep everyone together on the flight.

 

[bopeep9207]

Have you tried just looking on the airline's website?

 

[clkelley]

The same thing happened with me booking directly on Delta with my family in May.

There were 3 seats at a good fare, not 4. I actually ended up taking a different flight than the rest of my family for the outbound trip to get a decent fare. We were all together on the trip home. My children are much older, so it wasn't a problem.

Carol

 

[Geoff_M]

I don't know if this is the cause, but did you enter the 5 passengers as 3 adults and 2 children or as 5 adults? I've found on Expedia before that pricing algorithms will sometimes price the mixed adult/child quote higher than a straight "adult" party. And kids can use "adult" tickets just fine... just not the other way around.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I have tried the airline and the price is higher.

When I put 5 adults, I still get the higher price. Again, if I put 3 adults or 2 adults, 1 child - I get the lower rate. And its a significant difference. If it was only a few dollars then no problem, but it could really add up.

Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.