Orbitz?

[marymc]

Does anyone have any experience using Orbitz.com to purchase their airline tickets? I am looking for airfare from Richmond and found it was $126 on Orbitz versus $282 on the UsAir website. I was ready to use Orbitz, but thought I'd check and see if their were any opinions on them, good or bad.

 

[AZKathy]

I used that web site to purchase our tickets for our trip in May. I found great fares there. I understand it is owned by major airlines, too. The only problem is you can only get 4 tickets at one time. We had 5 in our family, so I purchased four, and then immediately went and tried to get the fifth on the same flight, it said it was not available. I almost died! I called the 1-800 number and told the person our problem and she was willing to do a one time refund; first she tried to get that one ticket on her end and she was lucky and got the fifth ticket. Using the site for the first time, they waived that extra cost for buying the tickets (I believe it was $5-10/ticket).

I then called the airline and made arrangements for all our seats to be together. We were on the manifest and we had no problems checking in for our trip or getting us together for the flights.

I would use them again if I found good prices.

 

[atigeg]

I used to use them quite a bit and never had a problem. I stopped when they added a fee...now I just use them as a search engine and then purchase the tickets on the airline's own website (it's always been the same price). But if you find a good fare via Orbitz, go for it!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[CarolMN]

Orbitz is a reputable company and you need not worry about using them if you find a good price. As others have posted, it is owned by several major airlines.

I've purchased both hotel rooms and airfare from them and had no problems whatsoever. For airfare, I also usually check prices on Orbitz and then purchase directly from the airline's website (to avoid the fee). However, occasionally Oribtz has a fare that I can't find on the airline's site, so I then purchase directly from Orbitz. Recently did that for a trip that I'm taking on Delta. Right after I purchased on Orbitz, I was able to see my actual reservation on Delta's website. That was a nice surprise!

 

[ralphd]

Orbitz is owned by the 5 largest US airlines: American, United, Delta, Cintinental and Northwest. The airlines do give Orbitz special fares from time to time not offered on their own websites. Should not have any problems with them:

Also try: QIXO ' www.qixo.com/index.html

Travelocity ' www.travelocity.com/ '

Expedia ' www.expedia.com/ '

Orbitz is at ' www.orbitz.com/ '

ralphd

 

[Ted and Holly]

We booked flights with Orbitz for our trip in April, somewhat hesitantly. Everything went without a hitch. We were even able to call the airline to make sure our seats were together. On the day of our trip, Orbitz emailed us our itinerary and even that our flights were on time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

Holly

 

[atigeg]

Ted and Holly,
Glad you mentioned the seats, as I forgot all about that!
I was worried that I couldn't call the airlines directly, but every time we booked through Orbitz and I called to confirm and/or switch seats, there was no problem.
Usually Orbitz informed us if there was a time change, but a couple of times they didn't, so if you book through them, I advise you to doublecheck on your own.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[marymc]

Thanks for all of the Orbitz info. I was able to book some great flights. I found flights for $126, versus the UsAir website price of $285. What a difference!

 

[Mark P.]

I checked for airfare, got a price, and then went onto the airline's site, and both fares were the same. The only difference was Orbitz's $10 fee.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Mark P.
I checked for airfare, got a price, and then went onto the airline's site, and both fares were the same. The only difference was Orbitz's $10 fee.

In my experience, what you describe seems to be what happens most of the time. However, occasionally, ORBITZ will have a lower fare available than what is on the airline's site. Don't know why, but it does happen!

 

[ralphd]

Originally posted by Mark P.
I checked for airfare, got a price, and then went onto the airline's site, and both fares were the same. The only difference was Orbitz's $10 fee.

The fares are the same because the five major airlines own Orbitz. They have committed to keep the site competitive with other independent travel sites. The airlines also post specials on the Orbitz site that they do not offer on their own websites.

ralphd