seeksocean

Three of us are flying from Barcelona to Sevilla one way, nonstop in May on Iberia airlines. Most of our trip is booked on Expedia. Should we book this flight on Expedia or directly on the Iberia website? Same price. My only concern is on a trip several years ago when I had to make changes in Greece on flights I booked on Expedia, I couldn't make the changes directly with the airlines, just Expedia. Thoughts?

Christina

If the price is the same, I would book with the airline. Sometimes you can't even select seats if you aren't booked directly.

I don't know what your past experience means but it sounds like the problem was you had bought from Expedia so you had to make changes through them. I haven't bought an airline ticket through a third party in decades, probably, so can't recall if it's always been that way. But if you didn't buy through Expedia, then you wouldn't have to make changes through them, of course, right?

What kind of changes are you anticipating having to make? If it's seats, Expedia can't assign seats, anyway. If it's cancellation and refunds or changing of dates, they might have different terms, don't know.

Maybe someone else knows if making changes through Expedia is normal if you bought a ticket, but I don't see any advantage to buying through Expedia myself. There isn't any chance you'd have to make changes through them if you don't buy through them.

thursdaysd

First, why Iberia? There are cheaper non-stops on Vueling. (Also Ryanair, but they might not be cheaper after you add extra fees.) See skyscanner.net.

Second, have you considered taking the train? City center to city center and more scenic. See: http://seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#.VsodCOZDaqI

seeksocean

Thank you! I'll consider all of these comments.

Robert2533

You're always better off booking directly with the airline. Vueling is fine as long as the flight is booked through Iberia, no additional fees to add.

Traveling by rail is interesting and more comfortable, but can be more expensive. And as far as being scenic, that's questionable, especially at 300 kmh.

rialtogrl

I've always found it cheaper to book directly through the Vueling website than booking a Vueling flight through Iberia's website, so check both. If you are checking a bag, make sure to choose the "optima" ticket.
vueling.com

seeksocean

I did notice that booking through the Iberia website included 23kilo bag free and easier change of ticket if needed.

rialtogrl

-I did notice that booking through the Iberia website included 23kilo bag free and easier change of ticket if needed.-

yeah, but the prices are higher. Bag or no bag, every time I have checked. Maybe it will be different for you!

Not sure about the changes though. If you think you are going to need to change the ticket, I suppose it would be best to choose an airline that will allow that.

emily71

I would also investigate the train. While it is more expensive to take the train, the advantage is that you can arrive later at the station prior to departure, train station is in city centre and it's more comfortable.

The trains in Spain are wonderful.

seeksocean

We are investigating the train. Thanks!

seeksocean

There is an 8:30am direct train. What time would we need to be at the station? If it's too early I guess we would get one that connects in Madrid. I'm an early bird. My traveling companions are not. Thanks!

seeksocean

Oops...one more thing. For a several hour train like that, is first class that much better, or is second class fine enough?

thursdaysd

Ten or fifteen minutes ahead should be fine if you have your tickets. Second class will be fine on the fast trains, but there is more room in Preferente. If you buy ahead on the internet Preferente won't be that expensive.

seeksocean

Okay, thanks so much! We will be in the Gracia area. On a Monday morning how lone should that take to get to the train station? Thanks again all!

thursdaysd

Use a map app and put in your actual address. I am not a fan of google (I search using duckduckgo) but I do like their map app. the one on my smart phone understands buses, trains and metro systems, although not, for some reason, ferries.

seeksocean

Okay, thanks!