prices are cheaper on expedia than direct

[leahjade]

anyone ever use them for airtran flights - it's a good bit cheaper than going through the airline. Any disadvantages - I've never tried their services?

 

[CarolA]

anyone ever use them for airtran flights - it's a good bit cheaper than going through the airline. Any disadvantages - I've never tried their services?

Key word in this sentence... SERVICE. Expedia doesn't do service.

I have never found them cheaper.

The BIG disadvantage if something happens, hurricane, winter storm etc, the airlines won't deal directly with you to make changes, they deal with your "travel agent" AKA as Expedia.

 

[leahjade]

It is about $200 total cheaper for us on Expedia but if service is horrible then I may reconsider. Anyone else have any experience with them?

 

[dopeyfanatic]

My aunt booked our tickets for our trip in June through them, not from AirTran though. Also, back in 05 we booked through them. I am opposite of CarolA, I have never found booking directly with the airline to be cheaper than Expedia or Travelocity. Could be just the area I live in, not sure. My dad has only a handful of times found booking directly with the airline to be cheaper too. I can't really help you decide if you should do it or not, but that is a good bit of savings. Are you planning on traveling at a time when there could be bad weather problems?

 

[leahjade]

If Air Tran had cheaper flights later, would expedia give you a credit like the airlines do?

 

[cbrfan]

I've never actually used Expedia but I have checked into their prices when they post lower than the airline. It's been my experience that when you actually try to book those fares they're not available. I always book through the airline for several reasons - getting a credit if the fare goes down and getting booked onto an alternate flight in the event of a problem. I don't want to have to deal with a middleman while other passengers are getting booked and on their way.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I've never actually used Expedia but I have checked into their prices when they post lower than the airline. It's been my experience that when you actually try to book those fares they're not available. I always book through the airline for several reasons - getting a credit if the fare goes down and getting booked onto an alternate flight in the event of a problem. I don't want to have to deal with a middleman while other passengers are getting booked and on their way.

Yes, it's been my experience also that if those fares don't show up on the airline's own website, they may be "phantom" fares. When I actually try to purchase them, they say that the fares have changed.

There was one time when the lower fares DID show up on the airline's own website later on in the day. Soooo, you can always hope.

 

[banjobears]

It is about $200 total cheaper for us on Expedia but if service is horrible then I may reconsider. Anyone else have any experience with them?

I use Expedia all the time, I fly. For one thing if my flight has changed, they won't do anything until I talk to them. Plus I have never lost a seat assingment with them. Plus I have no problem getting through to them when there is a problem, very good customer service.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Expedia charges a $5 per ticket booking fee but if you're still saving hundreds of dollars versus booking direct, you know the answer to your question.

Interestingly, I had to book a ticket late last year from Berlin to Frankfurt and it was about half the cost booking it on Expedia.com versus what Lufthansa.com was charging and the flight was a Lufthansa flight. So this can happen.

And proves why everyone should shop around.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Tink415]

We had to cancel AirTran flights this past Dec. due to a death in the family. I bought directly from AirTran and was not charged anything to cancel the flight. My sister bought from AirTran and was charged $75 for one person and $80 for the 2nd person very odd since both tickets were bought at the same time, but I was told by Expedia that was the charge. Also I have to say, the help at Expedia was not good. It took about 2 hours and multiple phone calls to get 3 flights canceled. I actually had to call AirTran and a person there gave me instructions to give the Expedia rep since the first couple of calls the reps were clueless. It took about 5 minutes to cancel the flight booked directly with AirTran. I would only book via Expedia if the savings were really substantial.

 

[safetymom]

I am with CarolA. In the event of any problems you will need to deal with expedia not the airlines. If you can live with that then go for it. The airline will tell you to deal with Expedia. Just pack lots of patience.