Hello,
I'm relatively new to online airline reservations, and thus far i've been disappointed with the services that my son suggested: travelocity and expedia. The other day I discovered one called Orbitz that had great fares and was easy to use, but I was wondering what anyone's experience had been with them. I don't want to take a chance in planning a visit to see my kids, but everything they offered seemed a step above the others. Any opinions would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Orbitz offers a good deal at times, and other times it's not a good deal, like any of the other online services.

The only problem I have ever had with them (and I don't use them all that much, their deals are usually about the same as the airline for where I want to go and I'll take bomus miles over a few dollars in savings) was the last e-ticket they issued they were unable to get the ticket number on the same piece of paper as the flight information. I got what I needed from the airlines web site, but for whatever reason they were telling me just to write the ticket number on their confirmation and try that to get by security (after September). Other than that, no problems, so if it saves you some money then go for it, but if it doesn't there isn't any advantage to booking at the airline's site directly.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by retirentravel:
[B]Hello,
I'm relatively new to online airline reservations, and thus far i've been disappointed with the services that my son suggested: travelocity and expedia. The other day I discovered one called Orbitz that had great fares and was easy to use, but I was wondering what anyone's experience had been with them.[B]</font>

Welcome to FT retirentravel!

Most of the time, I've used expedia for my bookings. I will use the airlines web site too at times.

My trip to Vegas a few weeks ago, I used Orbitz for the first time. I liked it and I didn't like it. I like the fact that I was able to find a cheaper fare than any other airline web site or expedia. The flight it found was not direct, which was fine. It gave me a connection with two different airlines, which was also fine, it gave me plenty of time for my connection. I didn't like the fact that the darn site charges me a $20 service fee, $10 for each ticket. I didn't like the paper tickets, but I don't think it was Orbitz fault there.

If Epedia found the same flight options, it would not have charged me that kind of fee, neither would have the airlines sites themselves. Travelocity would have charged me a $10 fee, but only because the flight included flying Northwest.

I've seen some web specials on Orbitz that I don't see on other sites, but that comes and goes. Also, once in a while, Orbitz will show you prices but when you go to book them, they are not there...

My suggestion when booking a ticket, use all 3 site and pick the best option for that flight. Next time, do the same thing, cause things are always changing...

Good Luck!!

As to the service fees, from Orbitz's website: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">A non-refundable fee of $5.00 when you buy one air ticket and $10.00 when you buy 2-4 air tickets is charged for each air transaction on Orbitz. The current maximum number of tickets per transaction is four. Purchasing more than four tickets begins a new transaction with its own fees. Orbitz' service fee applies to both e-tickets and paper tickets. A shipping fee also applies to paper tickets.</font>

Correction on Fees at Orbitz...

I knew I had paid at least $20 in fees at Orbitz, but I didn't know the breakdown until last night when I looked at my printout. Guess what, it's even higher.

Yes, Sheryl was right. I only paid $10 in fees for the ticket processing, but then Orbitz forced me into paying $15 for next day or second day delivery of the tickets via FedEx. Of course, they didn't tell me this up front. I had already keyed in all the necessary reservation info, and then this screen pops up before the final complete transaction screen. My departure was 4 weeks away, why couldn't they mail them with the US Mail. The pain was even worse when I found out that the tickets were processed 80 miles away in my same state, and I had to pay $15 for the darn delivery.

Oh well, now I know better...

I guess that was because of the paper tickets...all sites charge you delivery fees for paper tickets. I always try to get etickets whenever possible.

I have used Orbitz the last several times I flown and have not had a bad experience, as some have (and are bound to have with ecommerce). Orbitz is a fantastic research tool at worst. Instead fo having tomclick thru any pages on places like Expedia and Traveloctiy, all the flights, times and prices are shown on one screen - and sortable. It's a much easier interface to deal with if you ask me.

If you have really flexible times, priceline might be an option - but just remember, if they find a flight that matches your criteria, they'll charge you for it and there are no refunds.

Happy hunting!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelnick:
Correction on Fees at Orbitz...

I knew I had paid at least $20 in fees at Orbitz, but I didn't know the breakdown until last night when I looked at my printout. Guess what, it's even higher.

Yes, Sheryl was right. I only paid $10 in fees for the ticket processing, but then Orbitz forced me into paying $15 for next day or second day delivery of the tickets via FedEx. Of course, they didn't tell me this up front. I had already keyed in all the necessary reservation info, and then this screen pops up before the final complete transaction screen. My departure was 4 weeks away, why couldn't they mail them with the US Mail. The pain was even worse when I found out that the tickets were processed 80 miles away in my same state, and I had to pay $15 for the darn delivery.

Oh well, now I know better...</font>

Orbitz will often times waive the fee when purchasing tickets, I have never paid it, it is always greyed out.

travelnick,

From what you posted, the itinerary you booked on Orbitz most likely required paper tickets, since it involved multiple carriers (a so-called interline ticket). There's no way to ticket those electronically as of yet, save for very few airlines (I think CO and NW or UA allow it, but not so sure).

Thank you all for your help and advice, i really appreciate it. I've been working on booking my trip to see my family and I can't beat Orbitz. Well, I'll refer to the old adage: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and I made my reservations last evening. For an old guy like me their web site was perfect becasue it was easy to mangage, and the fares were great. Happy traveling to all and thansk again for all of your advice!