Which Airline would you Choose?

[Horace Horsecollar]

I found that it is cheaper for me to book one way flights, non-stop, on 2 different airlines to get the times I want. Is there any disadvantage to booking one way flights on differents airlines instead of round trip with the same airline?

Horace.... you've been a great help. Hoping you can answer this one for me!

I've done the same thing — booked a roundtrip involving a nonstop outbound flight on one airline and a nonstop return flight on another because I could get better flight times without having to pay more. In my case, however, these were business trips that I booked only a week or two before traveling.

I can think of two disadvantages of booking one-ways on two different airlines rather than one roundtrip of a single airline.

The first disadvantage is minor, and it may no longer even be a disadvantage. After 9/11, passengers with one-way flights were sometimes subjected to additional security checks, because the 9/11 terrorists apparently had one-way tickets. I wouldn't worry about this.

The other disadvantage is more significant. If you aren't flying until next year, the airlines will change your flight times. It may only be a few minutes, but it could even be several hours. There's even a possibility that one of the airlines will drop the nonstop service and change your flight to a connection. (I'm surprised that three airlines offer nonstop service between LAX and MCO.)

If you have a single roundtrip ticket, and the airline really messes up the schedule for one flight (such as changing the time by more than two hours or changing a nonstop to a connection), you can get a full refund on the flight — even though you have a nonrefundable ticket. You can then buy a roundtrip ticket on another airline, often for a similar price to your original roundtrip ticket. (You would want to do some homework before canceling the roundtrip.)

However, if you have one-way tickets on two different airlines, and one of the airlines really messes up one of the flight schedules, the airline that messed up the schedule will give you a refund on that flight — but the other airline won't give you a refund. But what about just buying another one-way ticket on another airline? Here's the problem. One-way tickets are usually much more expensive than roundtrips. The situation you're encountering right now is unusual.

I'm not saying you should not book on two different airlines. But I just want you to be aware of the risk.

 

[kstinw19]

I have taken six Delta flights in the last three weeks and ALL of them were delayed and none due to weather (including last night)...one (a 9:30 a.m. flight) was cancelled. I think that their on time rate is TERRIBLE!!

We are flying them to Disney in Sept. and I am already nervous about getting there...never had that problem with American.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

pppiglet,

If I may ask... what did you end up deciding?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I have taken six Delta flights in the last three weeks and ALL of them were delayed and none due to weather (including last night)...one (a 9:30 a.m. flight) was cancelled. I think that their on time rate is TERRIBLE!!

This is exactly the reason I try to avoid Delta. Ive also run into a few "less then chipper" employee's on my last few trips. American Airlines has always treated me like royalty, and for DTW flyers, they usually compete with Northwest's prices, so I end up flying them often. Not to mention, they still serve free inflight snacks (on most of there flights) and they have the DC power slots on most of there aircraft, perfect for charging your laptop/dvd player....

 

[pppiglet]

pppiglet,

If I may ask... what did you end up deciding?

Ok... even with the negative comments alot had about Delta....40% still would fly them, and even had really great things to say about their customer service. I do understand they could change my flight a few times before we go, but I am willing to try them. I even noted your advice that they aren't covered for bankruptcy when you get trip insurance. They did have the time I wanted for our flight out non-stop. United had the same time, but for some reason I chose Delta. I don't remember why... maybe it was because they had more other flights out that day that if I had to change I had a better chance of getting a time that would work for us. My brain is full of different airline info right now!

For the flight back I choose American Airlines because of the time only. I did not want a 7am or 7pm flight back and non-stop those were the times they were showing. American Airlines is 1pm. This flight was also cheaper than some of their other flights. All three were roughly the same prices. I saved maybe $100 booking one way instead of round trip, but got the times I wanted this way.

So whether I made the right choices....only time will tell, but you all helped me understand the way things work better for my first flights and I felt more comfortable booking after all your input. I didn't feel totally lost!

Horace...you just seem to word things and explain things in just the right way and I am sure many on this board really appreciate your input like I do!
I'll let you know in a year how it went!

Debbie