FareLock
 

Continental announced Farelock today. You pay $5.00 and they will hold your reservation and fare for 72 hours. You pay $9.00 and they will hold it for 1 week. 24 hour hold is still free. What do you think?

First fee I like. When I read about it, I thought it was going to be something like $29.

...now if they would give this to elites for free.. :)

Lots more discussion here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...light=farelock.

CO just creates more ways to make money.
i'd go with orbitz, which provides the price assurance

Orbitz' price assurance serves a different purpose (if it even works).

With FareLock you buy a right to purchase a ticket at a certain price. So you'd use that as cancellation insurance if you buy a ticket and aren't 100% sure yet whether all the other arrangements will work out (e.g., need to check with spouse, but don't want to lose out on great fare).

Orbitz will give you money back if someone else books the exact same flights for less. How often do you think will this happen in practice?

And yes, it's utterly shocking and despicable that a publicly traded and owned company is trying to make money.

If it gives you peace of mind, go ahead and use it. I would just remind folks that with most forms of gambling, the house usually wins.

This is not gambling, nor is it price protection, President Johnson. :rolleyes: It's a hold to allow a few days to confirm associated travel arrangements and/or availability of traveling companions. It's inexpensive and useful. Bravo to CO!

suggestion
 

Best we keep discussion there.