Hey, everyone.
I traditionally book online, though my mother prefers to go through a booking agent. Does anyone have a preference and why one is better than the other?
Also, I am going to Switzerland later this summer, and one of my friends wants to come with me. I'm already booked, and he wants to take the same flights if he can find them at relatively the same price as his cheapest option would be.
It's complicated, since I have a day-long layover in London, but what would you guys recommend for finding low fares?
I've looked online and I found 1471 but the middle flight does not co-incide perfectly, he'd arrive late afternoon and I'd arrive well before him at 10AM.
Anyone have any tips?
Thanks!
TIS
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
Online and through the airline sites directly. I'll use Kayak for a search on the fares, and then go to the airline's site.
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
I've never found anything beating what I could find in a GDS through either an airline website or through airline callcenters (the latter have had particularly bad results in my case - often ending up way above what I could find without even breathing hard).
The best I've had in the case of websites is matching what I could get in a GDS.
487 flights - and just 4 booked online... because there were only seats that we needed for our party available and I didn't want to risk waiting till the next day.
On the other hand - I know how to search using a GDS. I know dozens of sales agents who also know what to do, but I, unfortunately, know hundreds that don't have a clue.
The best I've had in the case of websites is matching what I could get in a GDS.
487 flights - and just 4 booked online... because there were only seats that we needed for our party available and I didn't want to risk waiting till the next day.
On the other hand - I know how to search using a GDS. I know dozens of sales agents who also know what to do, but I, unfortunately, know hundreds that don't have a clue.
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting Leskova (Reply 2): I've never found anything beating what I could find in a GDS through either an airline website |
I have. Mind you I don't have access to nego fares like you do.
| Quoting Leskova (Reply 2): airline callcenters |
Generally hopeless - they will sell you whatever pops up on their screen. Most carries won't even consider selling you an interline itinerary (mostly because their Res systems don't propose them) - airline call centres are good for making changes (provided you've already been on the GDS and found exactly what you want them to change).
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting ANITIX87 (Reply 4): what is a GDS? |
Global Distribution System. System such as Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, Apollo, Worldspan, Abacus, Infini, Axess, Topas, Travelsky, Sirena, used by travel agents to book flights, cars, hotels, cruises etc. Almost all carriers (except some LCC's) make their schedules and fares available to GDS's to enable travel agents to make bookings.
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- Fiatstilojtd
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RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
Can someone like me access and use a GDS, or do you have to be a travel agent? If I am allowed to use one, can someone recommend a good one?
So far the cheapest I've found is 1150 flying EWR-ZRH, GVA-EWR (the EWR-ZRH flight must be included non-stop so our first flight, at least, can coincide).
Can anyone point me to a site that will get me cheaper fares, or directly TO a cheaper fare they've found?
TIS
So far the cheapest I've found is 1150 flying EWR-ZRH, GVA-EWR (the EWR-ZRH flight must be included non-stop so our first flight, at least, can coincide).
Can anyone point me to a site that will get me cheaper fares, or directly TO a cheaper fare they've found?
TIS
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting Fiatstilojtd (Reply 6): Who told me the last time I wrote that to wash my mouth out with soap, hmmh ? |
I am allowed to say it, but you have to spit copiously after saying the Cursed Name. Ptttooooiieeee !!
| Quoting ANITIX87 (Reply 7): Can someone like me access and use a GDS |
Amadeus.net has fare search options that use the Amadeus GDS - same info, schedules etc as a travel agent (but not necessarily all the same fares - many fares are private).
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- Viscount724
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RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting NWADC9 (Reply 1): Online and through the airline sites directly. I'll use Kayak for a search on the fares, and then go to the airline's site. |
You may also want to check the following site which I find very good.
http://www.itasoftware.com/
That company provides the fare search software for several major carrier websites including CO, AS, US and a few others, and is developing similar software for AC's new web-based reservations system. After you click on "Details" next to one of the routings/fares, ifi you click the "Show booking details" in the upper left hand corner it will give you a detailed breakdown of the fare, including the fare basis code that appears in the GDS systems and all taxes/fees/fuel surcharges etc. included in the total price. While you can't use that site to book, you could then contact the carrier directly (or a travel agent) and refer them to the fare quote you obtained.
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 9): developing similar software for AC's new web-based reservations system |
*snigger*
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- Fiatstilojtd
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RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting Fiatstilojtd (Reply 11): arent you in a high enough position at Amadeus to have the industrial standard "competition-term" in your contract ? |
I don't know what one of those is. Probably - I am VERY important, after all :-P
RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
Kayak, Travelocity/Hotwire/Expedia, and the airline websites in that order. The only reason I've used a travel agent is to book long haul flights, but nowadays its easy to do that online too.
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- Fiatstilojtd
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RE: Cheap Fares And Booking Methods
| Quoting Fiatstilojtd (Reply 14): JGPH1A, regarding the V. U. P. Tickets you receive regularly for the big events, sessions, vernissage etc. .....the U stands for UNIMPORTANT not Ultraimportant....just to let you know. |
At least I get invited.
:-P
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- Fiatstilojtd
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