Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - They are all the same...what am I missing

I have been reviewing over all the different travel sites like PL/Travelocity and such along with checking the prices direct from the airlines and they are all the same. So what is the advantage of going through a travel site over going directly through the airline if the final price is either the same or just a dollar or so more.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Sometimes the prices are significantly different.

Sometimes sites like Travelocity can combine different airlines to get you a better fare say one airline to get there and a totally different one to get back.

Sometimes people really believe the advertising and never check the other sites.

Some people like checking multiple airlines, hotels, etc without having to go to each website.

Some also have their own reward programs for purchases made on that site. So you double reward dip. But anyone that does that must be one of those crazy weird people you see talking to themselves at the lounge bar.

Sometimes they are the same, but sometimes they can be different, especially for international flights.

However, the main benefit of the online travel agencies is packages, meaning you get a discount if you book flight and hotel together. These websites also have their own rewards programs, like Expedia, or give rebates through various shopping portals.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Sometimes the prices are significantly different.

Sometimes sites like Travelocity can combine different airlines to get you a better fare say one airline to get there and a totally different one to get back.

Sometimes people really believe the advertising and never check the other sites.

Some people like checking multiple airlines, hotels, etc without having to go to each website.

thank you...I guess the flight I am looking for (Indy/Philly) isn't a route that gets many discounts and such as I have been monitoring it for a about 2 months and there has been almost zero movement in price and all prices have been the same....oh well.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Sometimes the prices are significantly different.

Sometimes sites like Travelocity can combine different airlines to get you a better fare say one airline to get there and a totally different one to get back.

Sometimes people really believe the advertising and never check the other sites.

Some people like checking multiple airlines, hotels, etc without having to go to each website.

Great answer. I was going to reply but I think this covers everything quite nicely. Direct, to the point, accurate.

thank you...I guess the flight I am looking for (Indy/Philly) isn't a route that gets many discounts and such as I have been monitoring it for a about 2 months and there has been almost zero movement in price and all prices have been the same....oh well.

I have been trying to get a good deal to August to Europe for 5 months with almost nothing worth. just cheaper flights with awful schedules with layovers of 1 hour in intercontinental flights unlike to last year that was better as a result of this i will have to buy my ticket as soon as possible because it is getting expensive every week. :S

There are times that you can get a good deal directly with the airlines and if you find it you have to buy it as soon as possible because they dont last too much time.