Originally Posted by
NickB
Even for business class itineraries? For cheapest and simple one-stop routings in economy class, ita can be sub-optimal with the proliferation of hand-baggage-only fares that are not handled by GDSs or the surcharges that are imposed by airlines. For more complex itineraries, especially for those in business class, I still find ITA invaluable. What I do is that I normally start off by un-ticking the "Only show flights and prices with available seats" to give me some idea of the base-line then re-enable it and work to find availability in relevant classes, using routing codes and/or extensions to fine-tune/circumscribe to what I want. The functionality has diminished somewhat by the fact that one can no longer search in a single stroke with alternative departure points in several countries but it is still a very useful tool for complex searches and takes out a lot of the blind work that would be involved when searching on OTAs' or airlines' booking engines.
Presumably, even if you do not use ita matrix, you nonetheless use comparisons sites such as kayak or skyscanner?
Huh? I just did a search with a departure point in two countries, a multicity too... and regularly do even four countries (I travel between AMS and KSC, but based on different circumstances, I am open to depart from Slovakia - KSC, Hungary - BUD, Austria - VIE and Czech Republic - BRQ or PRG).
edit: Tried GVA and MIL, and got the error. Apparently it considers EU a single country... or it allows
destinations in multiple countries, as long as there is a single
origin.
I consider it an indispensable tool, though sometimes hard to use.
Originally Posted by
Concerto
I don’t use any of those, I just get in there and do the drudge work or book what I’m told to, within reason (for work). I find the German version of Expedia very helpful. The times I’ve tried to use ITA I’ve found it an annoying waste of time and over complicated and it’s yielded nothing for me. But to try and route European tickets through AMS and CDG is not working at all, so I’ll have to forget it. There just comes a point where I no longer have the time to fiddle endlessly and have to get on with normal work. For example, I can’t play decent concerts without hours of practice! It’s a shame about ITA but, like the iPhone, it really doesn’t work for me.
If Matrix doesn't work for you, try Google Flights. In some ways, it's even more powerful.
Unfortunately, doesn't seem to be any good two-stop deals to Moscow.