Never used these before - how are they if you book a ticket with them and the flight gets cancelled or delayed or because of the airline you miss your connection and you need to be put on another flight? Do you have to fuss around with trying to call them from the airport or can you just walk up to any counter to get help? I thought I'd heard that if you run into any kind of problem, its more difficult w/a ticket bought thru an agency then with booking direct with airline. Does this make sense? Its late and I've just been beating around the bush with AA...sorry

When that happens, you are at the mercy of the airline, no matter how you booked.

There's usually a long, long, line when walking up to "any counter". And, everyone in line is on their cell phone as well, tying up the phone lines.

It's better to (attempt) to contact the airline directly, as any third party booking agency (if they're even available at the time it's happening to you) would just have to put you on "hold" then be on "hold" with the airline as well...

Nowadays, airlines are reducing their scheduled flights more and more...having realized that full planes are more profitable.

So, if, for whatever reason you miss your connection, the "next available flight" may not be for several days or more.

Also, if your connecting flight is cancelled, the airline's computer (for most airlines) will automatically reschedule you, no matter how you booked.

Note also, no matter how you book, flight schedules are subject to change between the time you book and the days you fly, and you may or may not be notified, no matter how you booked.

Think of these specific sites as on-line travel agents as far as the purchasing is concerned since that is what they are - but the HUGE difference is that they do not provide a great deal of service beyond booking.

So just as if you purchased a ticket from a travel agent with a storefront, it is an e-ticket with the airline. But unlike a full service travel agent, you can't call them for help in the circumstances you describe.

Do not confuse these sites with consolidators and places like Priceline - that is different.

I use them mostly to get a quick overview of prices and schedules from all the different airlines, then I book directly with the airline that meets my needs.

The only unique rates on the on-lines are the out one airline back another fares. If you find a competitive rate for a round trip on the same airline, you can always get that exact rate by booking direct on-line with the airline.

One time,only, I had an airline tell me that if I made the rez through Travelocity or Orbitz or whoever; I could only change through the on-line and it was a hassle.

I can also say that I have booked international segments on the on-lines that had to be changed and their change agents were very helpful in getting reasonable priced changes when I would have had difficulty when here.

Never been busted by booking on an on-line, but have been slightly inconvenienced.

It's pretty rare that these sites have prices you couldn't get directly with the airline unless it involves more than 1 airline. The one time I booked with travelocity I discovered I couldn't get pre-reserved seating (on an international flight). Perhaps you need to explain further what it is you need and people can offer options.

Thanks guys. Long story short - Trip from ORD to Fiji thru AA. One ticket FF miles, one paid. Booked FF seat and then went directly to AA and thought I paid for the other ticket. However, AA calls me and says because leg from LAX to NAN is Air Pacific, I have to call Air Pacific directly to book that. Problem is, AA's round trip was $1147 and Air Pacific's is $1518. After a LONG conversation w/AA of why do they even allow the flight segments and pricing to show up on their website if they can't ticket it...grr don't get me started. Anyway, I have found cheaper tickets on Expedia, etc., but am wondering if I'll run into the same hassle of not being able to book the Air Pacific leg, plus the concerns I had in my OP. So guess I'll try it and see what happens. Thanks again.