Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Orbitz got a facelift!

Anyone else out there notice the new design on Orbitz's site? MUCH easier to find things on the homepage now. And evidentally, you can now book a flight in 3 clicks. Nice.

It looks way to similar to Travelocity.

This may have been why their site was down so much recently.

I had an opportunity to dig through the new site last evening and noticed a few changes that I think are nice additions, especially notifying you about the type of aircraft and factoring connection times. The fares still look good--so far, I'm pleased with the changes.

You really think that it looks liks Travelocity's website??

I like it...the couple of minutes that I got to use it today , it seemed a bit easier to navigate.

I also came across this, which I found pretty helpful: http://www.orbitz.com/dealdetector/

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JCookery:
You really think that it looks liks Travelocity's website??
</font>

Yea, I really do. I can't explain it but it just looks strikingly similar.

And the Orbitz facelift is costing us an extra $1.00 per ticket (now $6.00).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dogcanyon:
And the Orbitz facelift is costing us an extra $1.00 per ticket (now $6.00). </font>

Another reason to use Expedia. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/tongue.gif

Actually -- I prefer Orbitz. I can't tell you how many times that I've booked hotels through Expedia, but when I go to check in the hotel has never heard of me. Orbitz is my first choice.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flyorama:
Actually -- I prefer Orbitz. I can't tell you how many times that I've booked hotels through Expedia, but when I go to check in the hotel has never heard of me. Orbitz is my first choice.</font>

I've heard of this about Expedia many times on different forums for hotel rooms in various areas. Where is the breakdown in communications, I wonder?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WillTravel:
I've heard of this about Expedia many times on different forums for hotel rooms in various areas. Where is the breakdown in communications, I wonder?</font>

It is often the fax that Expedia or Hotel Reservation Network or someone else did not send the fax, or the fax did not go through completely or the fax was lost and/or not processed properly by the hotel staff.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flyorama:
Actually -- I prefer Orbitz. I can't tell you how many times that I've booked hotels through Expedia, but when I go to check in the hotel has never heard of me. Orbitz is my first choice.</font>

Another reason always to call the hotel a couple of days after you made a reservation, no matter how and when you made the reservation, so you are sure they know you are coming.
Another reason is to make sure they have your details and preferrences on file (hotel loyalty program number, room type, request for upgrade, etc.).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GUWonder:
It is often the fax that Expedia or Hotel Reservation Network or someone else did not send the fax, or the fax did not go through completely or the fax was lost and/or not processed properly by the hotel staff.</font>

That seems like a poor excuse in this day of email, instant messaging, and automated booking systems. I can't see how they can allow someone's vacation to hang on an unconfirmed fax, but that does sound like a plausible explanation.

OH, I know! But I've heard those excuses so many times from Expedia. In fact, one time the hotel clerk in Baltimore told me that the reservation is lost every time someone books their property through Expedia. Unbelievable!

One more reason why I'm only using Orbitz now.

I've used Expedia (even last minute) many times without these kinds of problems.