Question on Bestfares.com
Oct 19, 2000 | 11:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: Alaska MVPGold; VS Silver; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,706
Question on Bestfares.com
simple: is it worth it to be a member? What kind of airlines do they provide domestic sevice with? Are the fares good for miles? I am sure this must be discussed before and I apologise to bring it up again. Thanks in advance 
Oct 19, 2000 | 1:52 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Delighted to no longer be in Illinois
Programs: SW A List Preferred, Delta Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 703
I agree with Doc. NOT worth it. Just use the site to look for "Snooze Alarm" specials which you can then buy direct.
Their fees and surcharges on the "Member Only" specials are very high. In other words, a lot of hype and little substance.
Their fees and surcharges on the "Member Only" specials are very high. In other words, a lot of hype and little substance.
Oct 19, 2000 | 3:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Manhattan, NY
Programs: USAir AA Hilton
Posts: 3,567
Huge waste of money - for more versions of that story, check out a previous discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002530.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002530.html
Oct 19, 2000 | 6:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 2,257
Definitely not worth the $59.00 for most people. Most of their deals are available to the general public anyway.
These are my pet peeves about them:
1)You can count on being on hold a minimum of 10 - 15 minutes every time you call them.
2)Their agents almost never have a clue about the deals they push on the web site and will often tell you that the deal you are asking about doesn't exist or is no longer available.
3)They won't hold a reservation while you check to see if it's acceptable to others traveling with you. So, unless you are willing to book immediately, you have to call back and wait on hold another 15 minutes, walk another agent through your request, and hope that the seats you wanted are still available.
4)They add a service charge and delivery fee to most tickets. By booking the tickets yourself through an airline's web site, you not only save the service charge and delivery fee (as well as 15 minutes of hold time), but you also get bonus miles.
These are my pet peeves about them:
1)You can count on being on hold a minimum of 10 - 15 minutes every time you call them.
2)Their agents almost never have a clue about the deals they push on the web site and will often tell you that the deal you are asking about doesn't exist or is no longer available.
3)They won't hold a reservation while you check to see if it's acceptable to others traveling with you. So, unless you are willing to book immediately, you have to call back and wait on hold another 15 minutes, walk another agent through your request, and hope that the seats you wanted are still available.
4)They add a service charge and delivery fee to most tickets. By booking the tickets yourself through an airline's web site, you not only save the service charge and delivery fee (as well as 15 minutes of hold time), but you also get bonus miles.
Oct 19, 2000 | 6:26 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Westminster, CO
Programs: United Silver, Delta Silver, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 119
Run. Run like the wind. Do not do business with Best Fares. Send me the $59 instead and at least your money will go to a good cause.
Oct 19, 2000 | 7:40 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: Alaska MVPGold; VS Silver; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,706
Message received Loud and Clear. I wasn't sure how to find out which airlines their particular deals were with. For instance, the info on $172 fares from LGA to DFW (not available anymore 
), did not say the name of the airlines that was offering it- Or for that matter any of 'coast to coast' deals that they have.
But thanks for the quicj responces. I will save my 59 bucks for a more worthwhile cause. Thank you all.
), did not say the name of the airlines that was offering it- Or for that matter any of 'coast to coast' deals that they have. But thanks for the quicj responces. I will save my 59 bucks for a more worthwhile cause. Thank you all.