Like GreenDragon I used Orbitz to buy tickets to Scotland. Almost didn't get there. When arriving at the check-in for NW/KLM, I was told Orbitz had changed my e-ticket to a paper ticket and I sure never received one!

Fortunately mentioned NW had just called me to confirm my flight the day before so the check-in agent called someone who fixed it easy-peasy (blessings on that invisible person!). There was still an e-ticket number, just a different one from what Orbitz had e-mailed me.

At first I was told to go call Orbitz and sort it out myself. Guess what? I had dutifully printed out all the information I received from Orbitz by e-mail before my flight and any phone number(s) are NOT included. Again, I was so glad the invisible person sorted it out and I enjoyed my trip.

I am leaning in favor of booking direct for a future trip ...

I had a flight from Dublin to Barcelona at 5:00 p.m. two years ago. When I got to the airport at 2:00 p.m., I found out that the flight had already left at 9:00 a.m. No one bothered to tell me there was a time change. I would encourage booking directly with the airline.

Sandyy:

I booked through Expedia for a trip to Europe and my flight dates landed during Hurricane Ike out of Houston, TX.

My air france flights were cancelled the day of my departure. I called the 1800 # for Expedia from the airport and was told that since AF issued the ticket that I had to call them. I called AF and they said since I purchased the ticket through Expedia, I had to call Expedia. Well this went on and on for roughly about 7 days (I had to go stanby on a flight that I booked 6 months earlier). Even in Paris I had to worry about my flights and connections because Expedia was turning out to be of no help. And of course after checking with the Air France office in Paris for my new schedule, unbeknownst to me they gave me the flight information for the one that had originally been cancelled and was supposed to be no longer available.

My advice, book the cheapest filght and book some darn good trip insurance. I know I've learned my lesson

Oh by the way...Expedia's solution...they could assist me with purchasing another ticket (1,183.00) to Europe and they would apply for an immediate refund which I would get well after I returned from Europe...nice people.