1

I think all these syndicated Travel sites have the same problems. I didnt have to change dates or flights, But I booked through CheapoAir and had a hell of a job getting my seat assignments. I booked an overseas flight that was supposedly "British Airways" except of the 4 flights 3 were American Airlines and 1 was Iberia. So I called British Airways 24hrs before flight time to do the free seat assignments. British Airways said I need to call American. I went on the American website and they would not do it, called American and they said it would have to be done manually when I get to the airport. Asked them why the heck its a British ticket if all the legs are something else, and they said it a way of offering a lower price using an international carrier.... all I wanted was an aisle seat..Next time I'll just go thru the airline and pay a little extra maybe...I suppose every deal comes with a negative

2

As #1 said, these online travel agencies are usually selling tickets with the most restrictions. Next time ask for, or see if they list the fare class. Typically it's a T or a Q, etc. and then look up what the rules are for that class, meaning the airline's rules. Orbitz might be a better option, since it's owned by several airlines. I have to give kudos to Travelocity for their customer service in that they just last week allowed me to cancel a ticket after I had passed the 24 hour deadline, charging me only the $7.00 service charge. I agree that buying directly from the airline makes the whole process easier.

3

We've been to SE Asia ~6 times in recent years and each time made arrangements through the airlines - always including several phone conversations. Service is very good at Cathay Pacific and terrible at United. We're able to put together flights that are exactly what we want: DFW-SFO-HKG-BKK or Hanoi and returning with slightly different route. A few times I compared prices from direct transaction with airline vs. several of the internet providers like Travelocity and there was little, if any, difference price-wise.

4

OP is obviously pissed off at what happened, but I don't know of any online aggregator site that would do it any differently (and some newbie ticketing sites are guilty of still greater sins).

Agree that having found a good fare on an aggregator, it's worth it to check the airline site first for equivalent or lower fares. But this isn't always the case. A few weeks ago a Paris-Colombo RT on Saudia was being offered on ebookers and expedia for 356€. On the Saudia site, the fares offered on the exact same dates, same flights, was closer to 700€. It's a jungle out there.

5

#4 I think for a price difference like that I would go with the lower fare, and deal with with any agro involved.

6

In fact,90% plus of flight prices are as detailed in #4...maybe not as drastic as that example ;-)

It is far more likely that the price of the flight will be lower on websites like Expedia or Opodo than direct from the airline.

If the 'discounters' charged more than the airline itself they wouldn't exist.......

The 'price' of that is that these flights are the most restrictive,and if you have to change anything you will lose out.

If you don't need to change anything then no real problems....

7

The price of tickets are heavy on taxes of all sorts. I believe mine was sold to me as BA, thru Cheapo, because a foreign carrier can somehow get away with less taxes which brought the overall fare slightly under all the others for that day/time/destination. All my boarding passes had "sold as BA' stamped on them...the BA flight numbers did not feature on any flight boards in the airports.

8

I always check prices through http://www.skyscanner.net , which gives the best prices for a journey and then directs you to the airline's own website, where prices are often cheaper than through, e.g. Opodo.

9

Best to read the rules before parting with any money. Flights or otherwise.