What is the cheapest online travel agent?

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jasonmedic15

You should browse, but I've had luck with Hotwire.com and Priceline. You can name your own price on priceline. The downfall to hotwire is that you cant see hotel names, etc. until AFTER you book. But they are super cheap.

southrntrnzplnt

Honestly, the airlines are blowing the competition out of the water. Websites have to charge booking fee's and add rediculous restrictions. Websites like Priceline, Cheap Tickets, Hotwire and many more by tickets in bulk and sell them at a reduced rate, but should there be any problems, the airlines can not and will not make changes. Also, on some websites you can not enter a seat assignment request and you are at the mercy of what is left at the ticket counter or gates, the only guarentee's are booking directly with the airlines. Do research before you ever purhcase a ticket or hotel or vacation package. Usually the airlines are cheaper to book through, but there are some cases where it is even cheaper to book everything seperately instead of as a package. When I planned my Vegas trip for a convention next month, I saved over $200 booking everything seperately with Delta and the casino properties website seperately. On any consolidator website, such as Obritz, find the cheapest fare, then go to that airlines website. Book the least amount of connections possible. If you are in a city where you can fly non-stop ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS book non-stop. Even if the fare is $30-$50 more....you will save time and money by going non-stop and it will also keep you from getting delayed at any of your connection points should there be a problem. Unless you are a mileage monger and just want the miles...go for it, otherwise...book the least amount of connections possible.

Travel Agents also charge booking fee's. Airlines quit paying them commission years ago, and if there are agencies that do make commission, it is far less than before...so they now specialize in vacation packages and crusises rather than air travel like it was 20 years ago, especially after the Internet made it easy for people to book travel for themselves. If you do choose to go through an agency, make sure they are reputable and rated by the Better Business Bureau. There are many fly-by-night agencies and some are slow to pay for your ticket and you will get to the ticket counter and be stuck.

Here is an example...there was a HUGE price war this past week and airfares were cheaper than ever for this time of year. I went to Orbitz, Travelone.com, Priceline and Cheaptickets....the cheapest fare from Atlanta to Chicago O'Hare was $144 on Delta and American. I went to Delta.com and got the same schedule for $117. Know what airlines service your city and which ones go non-stop if possible.

Should you have any questions, I am a former Airline Ticket Agent and will be glad to help guide you through this maze of travel should you need any help, and Im not soliciting my services....this is my passion, my recommendations are free. Travel Agent charge fee's as well and if you are internet savvy...you can do this all on your own and save lots of money.

If you are looking to spend several thousand $$$$ on a trip, invest in some good hard sided luggage and a travel insurance policy. It works on a reimbursment basis should you incounter delays that you must fork over money for over night expenses, damaged baggage. Go to www.clarkhoward.com he is a consumer advisor in Atlanta and he has lots of good advice.

Kelli H

Book it directly with the airline... you can always use these online travel agents like hotwire... priceline... just to see what airlines have flights to the destinations that you want to fly to.... but if you think about it they are still travel agents, they make $ off you. So book directly with the airline because usually they have online specials just for booking thru their website.

aflumpire

You should always go to a travel agent office or book airfares online. All international travel should be booked through a travel agent office

Nate

I usually find the tickets cheaper on the airline's website. I like Continental, and on most flights you get the option of choosing your seat. I got my one-way ticket to Buffalo, NY for $139 + tax. Hotwaire, Expedia, and Orbitz were $40 more. There are 6 of us total that needed to travel together, so we saved $240 by using Continental.com

Aryan S

Hello:

Check out http://www.grab2travel.com

Go to flights section

Also try to do SmartSearch, which will give you recommendation and click on individual buttons to perform search to compare rates. I like that place... You dont have to go to individual sites and type the same information again and again.. here once you enter you are done to compare....

dmmd7

Try http://Luxe.worldventures.com They search all the other main sites like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, hotel and airline sites and offer you the lowest price. Youâ€™ll save even more when you book it as a package like air and hotel together. Plus theyâ€™re the only online site that offers LIVE chat where you can make your specific requests such as non-smoking, king-size or double beds, etc.
Check them out and see.

dzjoni

Well the cheaper the plane ticket the more restrictions you have that means if you have an emergency or miss your flight you are screwed buying a new ticket or paying huge change fees. If your travel is for sure and you are not going to cancel use the cheap sites such as hotwire.com expedia.com and travelocity.com but always watch for paper tickets because these cheap travel agents will send them alot of the time and if you loose it then you buy a new ticket or sometimes they will delay sending them in the mail as well. if at all possible always opt for e-ticket option it
might be more expensive but it could save you money in the long run. Also check out the airline websites sometimes they will have systemwide sales that are better prices then online travel agencies.

cadaholic

orbitz

SLMAX

www.ebookers.com, www.ucanfly.co.uk, www.cheapflights.com

elvira p

there is no cheapest, its just that they all run specials one may have your travel cheap this time but not other times for some specials that is running right now try my site.
www.worldclasstravels.net

intriguedtravel

Intrigued Travel. Why? Because we are compensated by the airlines, not you.
So you enjoy maximum savings without the traditional agency fee.
I am consistently $200.00 cheaper on packages compared to the online sites who charge you for there advertising.
Don't believe it?
E-mail me your next destination and watch how much you will save.
customerservice@intriguedtravel.com

Melek

One that does not charge a service fee!

Priceline is good, but the flights are only from US originating cities (sucks for me I am up in Canada) and you have no control over the time in which your departure is... ie.so you could end up with a 6am or 9pm flight which could get you arriving at a crazy hour...

Booking Buddy, Yahoo Fare Chase, and Sidestep are travel search engines that allow you to search numerous sites in one step. Sometimes checking these sites will give you a heads up on which airline serves the route you want best.

I just booked a flight from Vancouver BC to Cabo San Lucas for USD 700, and in the end I booked directly with the airline after doing a little research on the above mentioned sites. It's worth noting that when you use a number of different carriers (which usually happens to get the best deal) you lose out on some of the frequent flier miles.

Also do not discount your local travel agent...They are able to get "Net" fares from wholesalers, which means they buy the ticket and add their own commission. Sometimes they will lessen thier commissions to get the sale which could make their price even lower than what you can find on the net.

If you provide a little more information about what city you are traveling from/to you might get more answers.

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