Promising new search engine for booking by fare class
Dec 7, 1999 | 9:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 16,126
Promising new search engine for booking by fare class
Saw this while cruising r.t.a. tonight:
The site got a very complimentary review in Sunday's Washington Post travel section:
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/tra.../ita120599.htm
As the article says, it's still in beta and it still has some limitations.
The article also tries to warn off novice users (not us, of course
) from using the Java Client option but I tried it anyway and was eventually able to pick fares by class. Wahoo!
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 12-07-1999).]
The URL is www.itasoftware.com. They are beta testing it right now and only has US and Canadian flights. They are adding Europe in Jan or Feb. You can't make reservations from the site, but they give you options for just about every airline that flys the route starting with the lowest price for each. Other reasons why I like it are they show senior fares and the booking codes for the flights you select.
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/tra.../ita120599.htm
As the article says, it's still in beta and it still has some limitations.
The article also tries to warn off novice users (not us, of course
) from using the Java Client option but I tried it anyway and was eventually able to pick fares by class. Wahoo![This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 12-07-1999).]
Dec 7, 1999 | 9:27 pm
#3
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
Very nice. I hope they kill the lousy competition currently available online!
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Dec 8, 1999 | 6:42 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PARIS, FRANCE!
Posts: 61,946
I read about this resource sunday. I hesitated to post about it here because after testing it sunday afternoon, I found that I could still find lower fares on the United Connection software. But then again, I am somewhat savvy when it comes to finding low fares out of the DC area. So I suppose that if you are booking cold, it will help.
The Post article (which basically said that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread..and that it may turn travelocity et.al. into buggy-whip manufacturers) noted that it is a product in search of a home (you listening, Randy????). IMHO, the Java feature has the most potential.
In any case, I do recommend trying it, but I would never use it as a sole resource...at least not yet...
[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 12-08-1999).]
The Post article (which basically said that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread..and that it may turn travelocity et.al. into buggy-whip manufacturers) noted that it is a product in search of a home (you listening, Randy????). IMHO, the Java feature has the most potential.
In any case, I do recommend trying it, but I would never use it as a sole resource...at least not yet...
[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 12-08-1999).]
Dec 8, 1999 | 6:56 am
#7
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
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Posts: 4,080
I was told about this yesterday by a friend in D.C. (now I know why!) and tried it right away. All the advantages previously noted are there, and I'll certainly use it again, but I did have some trouble booking the fares quoted by ita (at least on Continental).
Dec 8, 1999 | 12:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA, US CP, SPG PLAT
Programs: US Chairman, SPG PLAT, National Elite Exec
Posts: 176
I'm already unimpressed. While the interface seems great, the prices are not nearly competative with what I find by trolling Travelocity and Expedia. For example, on this new site a RT from PHL>SEA over presidents weekend (2/18-21) prices at a best of $425+. However, with out much effort on both travelocity and Expedia I was able to find the same $200 RT on HP for the dates and city pair. This is just the most extreme example of a number of potential itineraries I tried and got high costs for.
Unless the pricing search engine is improved, I will not likely use it except as a 4th or 5th source.
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Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
Unless the pricing search engine is improved, I will not likely use it except as a 4th or 5th source.
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__________________________________________
Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.
Dec 8, 1999 | 1:44 pm
#11
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Agreed, Blade. There are still some knots in it. After all, it's in beta and, by the designer's admission, technically not a commercial product yet.
Also keep in mind that many of us on FT are still grumbling about the demise of easysabre, esp. one of its best features: the ability to shop by fare class. There may be better sites at finding the lowest fares available, but they all suck when it comes to finding the lowest upgradeable fare.
My sole reason for posting this info is b/c it's the most promising alternative to easysabre I've seen and, IMHO, has a lot of potential. I'm inclined to let it play out before calling the jury in.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 12-08-1999).]
Also keep in mind that many of us on FT are still grumbling about the demise of easysabre, esp. one of its best features: the ability to shop by fare class. There may be better sites at finding the lowest fares available, but they all suck when it comes to finding the lowest upgradeable fare.
My sole reason for posting this info is b/c it's the most promising alternative to easysabre I've seen and, IMHO, has a lot of potential. I'm inclined to let it play out before calling the jury in.
[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 12-08-1999).]
Dec 8, 1999 | 2:49 pm
#12
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Well, first off... I bookmarked the site for future reference.
Then I tried to book a hypothetical fare: EWR-YUL (actually it's a fare I will book for the Montreal get together!)
On I-T-A: priced out to 263.00 (U.S.)
On United Connection (the website... I DON'T HAVE THE SOFTWARE!!!
$263.19
Total savings on I-T-A: 19 cents!
I like I-T-A for listing all the airline and most fare options (DIdn't do it but if I click Details can I find out if fare is upgradable.)
But as you said essxjay... it's another good option to consider. Thanks for the tip!
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 12-08-1999).]
Then I tried to book a hypothetical fare: EWR-YUL (actually it's a fare I will book for the Montreal get together!)
On I-T-A: priced out to 263.00 (U.S.)
On United Connection (the website... I DON'T HAVE THE SOFTWARE!!!
$263.19Total savings on I-T-A: 19 cents!
I like I-T-A for listing all the airline and most fare options (DIdn't do it but if I click Details can I find out if fare is upgradable.)
But as you said essxjay... it's another good option to consider. Thanks for the tip!
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 12-08-1999).]
Dec 8, 1999 | 4:54 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Thornhill,ON,Can
Posts: 269
I liked the site but the font is a little small.
I checked the fare for the superbowl weekend YYZ-IAH-LAS-EWR-YYZ and it gave me a fare of $412 on CO but when I called CO the best price for the same flights was $427. The differance may be airport fees etc.
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"Free" without charge or cost, having no obligation.
but the font is a little small.I checked the fare for the superbowl weekend YYZ-IAH-LAS-EWR-YYZ and it gave me a fare of $412 on CO but when I called CO the best price for the same flights was $427. The differance may be airport fees etc.
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"Free" without charge or cost, having no obligation.
Dec 8, 1999 | 6:18 pm
#14
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Just bookmarked it. Don't think it is that user-friendly yet. But it has potential. It still doesn't seem to be as great at easySabre's ability to just booked directly by class.