Travel Guide: Flight Booking
WHEN the web first burst onto our screens in the mid 1990s, there was much talk of disintermediation ("cutting out the middle man" to you and me). The travel industry, in particular, seemed well-suited for this and travel agents fretted while operators rubbed their hands with glee at the prospect of direct sales.
But of course, experience counts - as does web-savvyness. Airlines are good at flying you from A to B; travel agents are good at negotiating the best prices - or should be. On top of this, people often want and need help in arranging their travel plans. Unfamiliar systems, strange languages, and that ever-present net-problem of "trust" all serve to keep a window open for online travel agents. As a result some companies have become well-established brand names in the Internet travel industry. And they are listed below:
| Company |
| eBookers | Well-designed European site that bought out its parent company, Flightbookers, in 2000. Specialises in discount flights. |
| Expedia | Comprehensive and well-respected travel site of Microsoft heritage, now controlled by USA Networks. |
| Lastminute.com | Famous in the UK internet economy, lastminute offers "experiences" and gifts as well as travel for a predominantly European market. |
| Opodo | Run by Europe's 9 major airlines, Opodo offers more than just flights. This is the new kid on the block. |
| Travelocity | Sabre-powered online agent with all the frills. |
| * * * * |
| Traveloverland.de | German-based operator with very low prices and excellent customer service. |
| Flug.de | Another German-based discount flight booking site. |
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Is that your best offer?
Get an idea of the going rate from online agents, then try the airline direct to see if it has a better price or a persuasive incentive.
Calling the airline rarely results in a further discount. Calling your local travel agent may be more productive.
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Beating the odds
Help yourself to a better price:
1) Stay a Saturday night
2) Try alternative airports
3) Fly at unpopular times of day
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