Question about Bestfares.com
 

Having just moved from SJC to ANC, my inexpensive travel options have decreased dramatically. I was considering joining Bestfares to get in on some cheap travel. Does anyone have any specific experience with Bestfares and offerings to/from ANC? For that matter, does anyone have any great leads about cheap travel in/out of ANC period? I searched several different keywords and found a bit of info, but it seems like (literally and figuratively) I'm out in the cold! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks!
-levi

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How I dearly wish I was not here . . . .

In a word- DON'T! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

With few exceptions, almost everything you see posted on the Bestfares website is available to the general public if you know where to look. Occasionally, they will have a special deal with a carrier that you couldn't get on your own. Some people who buy certain types of tickets may get their money's worth from the membership fee, but I definitely haven't (and I don't think I'm alone in that respect).
I think they are an honest company with a good idea, but their customer service is three rungs below terrible:
1.Count on being on hold for at least 15 minutes every time you call.
2.Their reservation agents NEVER know anything about the specials they promote on
the web site. They make the people at the Department of Motor Vehicles seem friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and motivated.
3.They won't "hold" a ticket for you. You have to buy it right then and there. And if you are traveling with another person and your first choice isn't available, you will have to contact that person to tell them what is available, then call back and be on hold another 15 minutes and hope that your second choice hasn't sold out.
4.They add "service charges" and "delivery fees" (in addition to the taxes) to the prices you see posted. If you buy directly from the airline you can avoid these charges
(and get an online booking mileage bonus, too).

If I had to do it over again, I would save the $59.00 and just browse their web site for news.

Mike

I tried it under a 30 day money back guarantee and cancelled within the 30 days. I went to some trouble to get that guarantee in writing in an email before signing up. When I cancelled in writing my card was credited without trouble. My advice is the same as doc's...don't. But if you want to try, the guarantee worked for me.

Right on dogcanyon!

Bestfares has terrible customer service. What a shock today when I went to the mailbox and found my Bestfares magazine there. That's a first! Their magazine usually arrives about a month late. I've tried unsuccessfully (several times) to book their specials but have never had any luck. I don't mind that their website is "free" to so many looking for ideas, but I think they offer too much free to their non-members. I have begun to wonder if I am getting my money's worth.

No to BestFares. Try this "reference" code when booking w/Northwest (I mean Northworst), ENTERTAIN. I never fly NW but my friends have had some success with this code, one just got back from ANC.

BestFares is NOT offering real benefits.

1. You can read the key parts of their website for free (esp. Snooze Alarms).
2. You can get the ticket offers from them from other sources, esp LowestFare.com that sell cheap seats on America West and TWA.
3. They have creepy billing. I signed up in February and they automatically charged my renewal in October. Not at all kewl.

There are several previous discussions on this forum. Below is just one. I think Doc summarized it best: Don't!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002530.html