Originally Posted by
dand99
3. For non-US flights you have the benefit of a 24+ hour (sometimes up to 48, depending on when you buy the ticket) cancellation window, this can be quite significant if you have other flights/hotels/etc to book and need the option of cancelling if something falls through
Having said that, with US domestic travel, though, OTAs seem to usually offer the same price as booking direct. And airlines are obliged to offer 24 hour refunds - which negates the two main benefits of OTAs.
OTA (Expedia consortium/Priceline) offers refund 24+ hours after booking for US flights as well and even if booked with less than 7 days prior to departure which exceeds what airlines offer and DOT requirements. If puchased on a Friday, the refund period potentially runs all the way to end of day on Monday.