Orbitz- Is there real value?
Jun 6th, 2006, 01:15 PM
#21
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To follow up: last night I found another example of an airfare (or rather, flight selection) available only on Orbitz. This was not even listed as a special web fare. It was a United flight; the flights were available on United's own website but for anywhere from $50 to $100 more total. I prefer to use the airline website directly, but the flights offered were simply much better on Orbitz on the same airline. So I booked it.
Another interesting thing: the flight selection seemed to fluctuate quite a lot even within the same hour on Orbitz. I wanted certain flights on each leg of the trip; first time I checked, they were there; check a few things to confirm the dates work; check again, flights are now gone, only redeyes. Half an hour later they are back again. (Meanwhile, no fluctuation on United.com at all, I was checking both at the same time.)
So in this case, I did get real value from Orbitz. I could have gotten the same fare from United.com (and saved about a $6 service charge) but they would have been awful flights, one at 6:30AM, the other a red eye, both of which were basically impossible for me. It is frustrating that I had to play games to get the exact flights I wanted, though - they obviously aren't full as seats are still available on them.
Andrew
Another interesting thing: the flight selection seemed to fluctuate quite a lot even within the same hour on Orbitz. I wanted certain flights on each leg of the trip; first time I checked, they were there; check a few things to confirm the dates work; check again, flights are now gone, only redeyes. Half an hour later they are back again. (Meanwhile, no fluctuation on United.com at all, I was checking both at the same time.)
So in this case, I did get real value from Orbitz. I could have gotten the same fare from United.com (and saved about a $6 service charge) but they would have been awful flights, one at 6:30AM, the other a red eye, both of which were basically impossible for me. It is frustrating that I had to play games to get the exact flights I wanted, though - they obviously aren't full as seats are still available on them.
Andrew
Jun 6th, 2006, 04:58 PM
#22
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I also got a good airfare on Orbitz today. I have been checking flights for months on an open jaw ticket. I am flying to Kansas City, Denver and then back to Cleveland this August. I can't be flexible with my dates so the cost has been $500 to over $600 and the flights were not direct. I am flying direct on Continental and Frontier with great departure times for $404.
I was sure I could get it less that that but I have been checking for months. I have been checking Travelocity, Sidestep, Kayak and individual airlines.
I am still waiting for Columbus and Cleveland round trip flights to KC to drop so I can find flights for other members of my family going to the wedding in KC. They just haven't budged. Hoping for a SW Ding.
I was sure I could get it less that that but I have been checking for months. I have been checking Travelocity, Sidestep, Kayak and individual airlines.
I am still waiting for Columbus and Cleveland round trip flights to KC to drop so I can find flights for other members of my family going to the wedding in KC. They just haven't budged. Hoping for a SW Ding.
