Getting fares on ABD air?

[Eastridge]

Since the 2026 trips are about to go on sale, it's timely to ask this question:

Have others had problems getting the fares they wanted through the ABD air department?

Since I'm always worried about ABD cancelling a trip, I prefer booking the airfare through them because ABD refunds the airfare if they cancel the trip. But if I buy the airfare on my own, then I'm stuck with the flights.

But for recent trips I have found that I couldn't get posted fares through ABD Air. They either weren't available or were higher. I'm not talking about buying basic economy fares or heavily discounted fares (e.g. Priceline). I mean not being able to get a normal fare that I see on the airline's own website.

Have others had the same experience, or am I just unlucky? It's a little scary to commit now to a summer trip next year when I'm not sure what the airfares will be.

 

[sayhello]

Since the 2026 trips are about to go on sale, it's timely to ask this question:

Have others had problems getting the fares they wanted through the ABD air department?

Since I'm always worried about ABD cancelling a trip, I prefer booking the airfare through them because ABD refunds the airfare if they cancel the trip. But if I buy the airfare on my own, then I'm stuck with the flights.

But for recent trips I have found that I couldn't get posted fares through ABD Air. They either weren't available or were higher. I'm not talking about buying basic economy fares or heavily discounted fares (e.g. Priceline). I mean not being able to get a normal fare that I see on the airline's own website.

Have others had the same experience, or am I just unlucky? It's a little scary to commit now to a summer trip next year when I'm not sure what the airfares will be.

I've found it varies from year to year and trip to trip. Sometimes they've gotten me great deals on the airfare I've wanted, and sometimes they've not even come close so I buy my own. I judge each year independently as you just never know.

Airfare is always that big unknown. It's a leap of faith and a risk for sure. I had one trip I'd purchased my own airfare for canceled by ABD a day and a half after I'd purchased my airfare. 15 hours earlier and I could have gotten a refund. I'm still pissed about that one.

Sayhello

 

[Eastridge]

I had one trip I'd purchased my own airfare for canceled by ABD a day and a half after I'd purchased my airfare. 15 hours earlier and I could have gotten a refund. I'm still pissed about that one.

Was that your Portugal trip?

 

[rhinodadz]

It's been 50/50 for me. Sometimes the ABD fares are exactly what I want and sometimes I end up booking my own. And always buy travel insurance!

 

[sayhello]

Was that your Portugal trip?

It was. But I ended up taking my amazing trip to New Zealand, instead, so I can't be too upset about it...

Sayhello

 

[JAM9842]

Can ABD book international airfare or is just domestic? Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Can ABD book international airfare or is just domestic? Thanks!

They absolutely can book international airfare. As long as you are originating and ending in the US.

Sayhello