The perfect OTA?
Mar 19, 2018, 12:28 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I book directly with airlines when it comes to flights. I like the flexibility of picking my seat and not having to rely on third party sites. For hotels, it is an entirely different world and that's where I can justify paying for membership-based sites, such as LMT and WHG due to the money I save. But I would never say that anything out there is "perfect"... you have to try and see it for yourself what works the best for you!
Mar 19, 2018, 7:17 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS, BUD
Programs: UA-1K, Aegean-Gold, TK-Elite, Accor-Platinum, SPG-Gold, Hilton-Gold, Club Carlson-Gold,AMEX-Platinum
Posts: 300
What issues have you experienced with picking your own seat on flights when booked on OTA? I book, get the PNR, and then go to the airline's site and pick everything there. Even when I have a codeshare (even if booked directly with an airline), I'll get the PNR for the operating carrier and manage whatever directly there.
Dec 30, 2018, 12:21 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,385
Dec 30, 2018, 1:31 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,123
It certainly is not all airlines, and is it really true for COPA? It sounds like something else was going on, becasue COPA couldn't find your reservation. I bought a COPA flight in Orbitz just under a year ago and had no problem getting a seat. Maybe it has changed though.
Although there are some outliers, in general the ability to pick seats depends only on the the fare class and availability, not where you bought the ticket. That said when I can I buy directly, why add any complexity? But most airline websites are limited and I often want itenrearies that are not available directly.
Although there are some outliers, in general the ability to pick seats depends only on the the fare class and availability, not where you bought the ticket. That said when I can I buy directly, why add any complexity? But most airline websites are limited and I often want itenrearies that are not available directly.