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I assume a lot of us use discount online travel sites for airfare. What have you found to be the cheapest when flying from the U.S. to Europe. I use to use www.bt-store.com but this year they are more expensive then others such as www.travelpapa.com. Hope you will share some sites.
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What on-line air fare service do you use?
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Here are some more, under the "Airlines" forum:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=126&tid=35145333
I buy only directly from airline's own website.
I did one trip with onetravel.com, but in general I buy directly from the airlines - although I always check the discount sites first.
I almost always book directly with the airline or with one of the major agents. I have never found enough of a savings on the "discount" sites to justify using them.
As for finding the airfares, I usually use a combination of Kayak and ITA.
I don't go the 'discount online' route. I check first using Expedia to get an idea of everything offered. Once I pick my flights, then book direct with the airlines.
I have always (5 trips to Europe since 2000) used on-line sites and save hundreds each time when I compare them to the airline site. I think one or two times the airline site was the same but never cheaper then the on-line sites. I highly recommend them. I have only used them for coach/economy. Another one I just found is www.farecrawler.com. The flights and prices change like the stock market (slight exaggeration) so if you leave the sight and come back in a few minutes the price may have change (up or down) and different flights may be offered.
I do the same thing Suze does, except I preview the flights with Travelocity. The fare difference has never been more that $10 or $15. I do the same with the hotel, that is, dealing directly with the hotel.
Also, I have had good luck with the online hotel reviews from people who have stayed there previously. In fact, one reviewer emailed me back when I inquired about a hotel and said that it was a good choice, but that she had since found a better place. I trusted her, stayed at the second place and was very pleased. We've been corresponding by email ever since.
I shop the consolidators. I've saved a bundle over booking directly with the airlines for the same flights.
I've found that each trip is an entirely new endeavor and it's best to check all possible resources. You just never know what you'll find, and diligence really pays off.
I only book with "online travel sites" if the fare is significantly less than booking directly with the airline. With those, I think if you check often enough you'll luck into a mistake.
I always look to a variety of sites and compare.
The one that almost always comes up with the largest selection and best rates is itasoftware.com ... it doesn't sell the tickets, just gives you thew coding for you to contact the airlines. And its easy to search open jaws trips and trips with many legs.
It is the driver behind many of the airline reservation sites and search engines, but makes itself available to the public.
A drawback: it doesn't contain many of the low-budget airlines
I do not do any European travel unless I have checked in with vayama.com
Especially for "oneway" travel
I have issues in Europe and cannot establish exact return dates therefore I fly one way.
Gerry
For the BEST RATES out there check www.innerstartravel.worldventures.com and click META SEARCH! This technology is the best and searches all of the sites mentioned in ONE shot and will save you hours of frustration!!!
I do research on KAYAK, then check around the airline websites to beat the price.
When comparing prices on various sites, be sure to factor in what sites are listing the total, including fare, surcharges, taxes, baggage charges, ad infinitum, and which as quoting only the fare without the added charges
bookmark
I use sidestep.com
i buy direct from reliable airlines - never no frills-airlines!
div
Wow, I have to say I had no idea there were so many great sites. Bookmarking this!! Thanks