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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 04:40 PM
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Buying flights on 3rd party websites

I want to purchase a flight on a 3rd party wesite cheapflights.com from LAX to DUB the flight I am looking into purchasing makes me have a connecting flight in LHR. My question is, if i fly from LAX to LHR on Virgin Atlantic and from LHR to DUB on British Airways will my luggage be checked through to my final destination in DUB?? or do i have to pick up my bags and check them in at the next terminal. Any info would help thanks.
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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 05:54 PM
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You are always better off buying directly from the airline. In any case, you should be able to check your luggage all the way through to DUB. Do you know for sure that cheap flights will sell you a bona fide ticket - not one purchased with someone else's miles?
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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 06:10 PM
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Kathie I've never even thought about that possibility. I've always bought with Travelocity and never had a problem so I thought cheapflights would generally be the same but thanks for the input!
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 09:44 AM
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Hi - Emily Fisher from Cheapflights.com here. I wanted to clear up a couple of points. Cheapflights.com is a travel search site and not a booking site. If you find a deal that works for your travel plans, we will direct you to the airline or travel agency site offering it and they will issue the ticket. Our partners are top name travel providers, including Travelocity, Expedia, American Airlines and many more. Our site just helps you compare their offerings and see their deals.
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 12:16 PM
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There is no problem booking with Travelocity, Expedia etc. I don't agree at all that it is always best to book direct. Book where ever you get the best deal. Your luggage will be thru checked from LAX to DUB.
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 05:01 PM
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Odin, using third party websites to book flights is just fine as long as nothing goes wrong. But if there is any glitch, (even a flight time change which impacts another flight you booked) you want to have booked directly with the airline, otherwise you'll get the run-around from the third-party site. Read some of the dozens of horror stories here and on other travel boards.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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Thank you Odin for the info. I have compared prices on the airlines websites and is significantly higher than Travelocity.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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Emily fisher thank you for clearing that up
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 10:32 AM
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Completely agree with you as well Katie. I have read those horror stories as well. I guess it's just a risk if your willing to take it booking with a 3rd party website.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 01:39 PM
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Kathie: I have used Travelocity and numerous other websites have had flights cancelled and sched changes etc and have never experienced issues with being rebooked or rerouted or reissue tickets due to having booked on something you describe as a "3rd party website". My last flight to DFW was booked on Travelocity and the first connection flight to EWR on the return was cancelled due the aircraft having a tech prob. The airline endorsed my ticket over to another airline and I flew home direct. My last trip to BRU was booked thru another website, I missed the flight due to being late, had it reissued at the airport, paid the difference. Maybe you can share your horror stories.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 07:02 PM
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I agree with Odin, I very rarely book directly with the airline, especially multi-stop tickets as they are very rarely competitive with what I can get elsewhere, I've even had Malaysian airlines direct me to a travel agent in order to get the best price

I've flown hundreds of times and I have had virtually everything happen to me, except for crashing and I have never once had a problem with the tickets because I went through a 3rd party
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 07:42 PM
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I guess I've been lucky. I've booked with several third party websites with no problems even when there was a flight cancellation. Most recently I booked with cheapoair.com with no problems.
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