Seating

[holie]

Because I booked through a TA on my last trip, I have no idea how seats on flights work. I would do this again, but I don't want to pay 120 dollars in ticket fees from CAA again.
If I am booking for 2 passengers at the same time, are they usually seated together automatically or do you have to usually pick seats?

 

[DebbieB]

Because I booked through a TA on my last trip, I have no idea how seats on flights work. I would do this again, but I don't want to pay 120 dollars in ticket fees from CAA again.
If I am booking for 2 passengers at the same time, are they usually seated together automatically or do you have to usually pick seats?

Which airline? Most airlines you choose seats, there is no automatic seating.

 

[holie]

Which airline? Most airlines you choose seats, there is no automatic seating.

I'd like to go with Delta and FAQ said there would be a button to pick my seats... I didn't find a button. Also, I like to book through those travel deal sites that look for different deals through different airlines, so I 'd be booking through them as apposed to directly through the airline... is this a different process?

 

[DebbieB]

I'd like to go with Delta and FAQ said there would be a button to pick my seats... I didn't find a button. Also, I like to book through those travel deal sites that look for different deals through different airlines, so I 'd be booking through them as apposed to directly through the airline... is this a different process?

With Delta there is no charge to choose seats in advance. There should be a button. I always book directly through the airline, those "deals" sites never seem to work out.

 

[goofy4tink]

Always book directly with the airline. If you book with Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia...they own the reservation, not you. If there were to be an issue with your flights, they would have to deal with it and from what I've heard here, they aren't very good at it.
You will get the same deal from the airlines directly.
As to seating with Delta...yes, you are able to choose your seats when booking. It's very easy, and you will see it when you book.

 

[dudspizza]

I totally agree with booking directly with the airline... the only time I have used Expedia is when a package deal made the trip significantly cheaper booking air/hotel.

As Goofy pointed out, if you use Expedia or whoever, they are your travel agent and you have to work through them if you want to make any changes or have an issue. If you book it directly with Delta, you have the right to call and make changes, especially in the case of them making a flight schedule change.

Duds

 

[rwdavis2]

You are asking for trouble booking through the third party sites. I use them to compare fares and flight times but always book directly with the airline. It's highly doubtful you will save money with a third party booking site.

 

[sam_gordon]

You are asking for trouble booking through the third party sites. I use them to compare fares and flight times but always book directly with the airline. It's highly doubtful you will save money with a third party booking site.

I *THINK* airlines need to give you the tickets at the price available through outside vendors. So, as mentioned, use hotwire, travelocity, orbitz, expedia, etc to price compare, but book from the airline directly.

 

[rwdavis2]

I *THINK* airlines need to give you the tickets at the price available through outside vendors. So, as mentioned, use hotwire, travelocity, orbitz, expedia, etc to price compare, but book from the airline directly.

I'd check that. In the cases where a third party is cheaper I would assume they bought a block of discounted seats from the airline. There's no reason for the airline to match the lower fare. They usually set aside a block of seats on each flight for a specific price and once those are gone the next higher priced seats get sold.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'd check that. In the cases where a third party is cheaper I would assume they bought a block of discounted seats from the airline. There's no reason for the airline to match the lower fare. They usually set aside a block of seats on each flight for a specific price and once those are gone the next higher priced seats get sold.

That's why I said I "think" and didn't present it as fact. I also doubt (again not stating it as fact) that orbitz, expedia, travelocity, etc, is buying a block of discounted seats on EVERY flight on EVERY airline.

I will say when I was researching for our flights, I none of the "third party flights" were cheaper than going directly to the airline.

 

[goofy4tink]

In my experience, I have never, ever been able to get a cheaper flight through a third party vs the airline directly. Every time I have 'thought' I found that wonderful fare, as soon as I tried to buy it, it came up as not available anymore, but was offered another flight at a much higher price.

 

[leebee]

In my experience, I have never, ever been able to get a cheaper flight through a third party vs the airline directly. Every time I have 'thought' I found that wonderful fare, as soon as I tried to buy it, it came up as not available anymore, but was offered another flight at a much higher price.

This has been my experience also. Use Orbitz (etc.- I always use Orbitz) to find the best deals or flight times or whatever is important for your trip, but book directly through the airline's website. You don't need a middleman to make your plans... you can do it yourself! You should have the option to choose your seats somewhere along the line while making the purchase; perhaps you just haven't gotten far enough along in the transaction yet.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Which airline? Most airlines you choose seats, there is no automatic seating.

This really isn't true. If you don't select a seat, all airlines will select one for you.