I Want My Boarding Pass!
Travelers who book through an online agent don't always get a fair shake
Online agencies, of course, defend themselves. "When someone books on Expedia, we pass that information to the airlines or hotels," says spokesman David Dennis. "It is a valid reservation or ticket, just as if it were done directly. It is entered into their system as a direct reservation would be." In the case of Cennamo, Dennis said the reservation didn't get through to the Atlantis because of a fax glitch that has since been corrected.
And there are advantages to booking from an online travel agent. "We are able to package trip components in ways that save even more than if travelers purchased these components separately," says Travelocity spokesman Joel Frey. Which is absolutely true.
But as Cennamo, the legal assistant, discovered, there can be a downside to using an online agent. Expedia did offer another hotel, but she wanted the Atlantis. She booked directly, though that meant changing the dates--and buying two new airline tickets for $380. And experts say the turf wars aren't going to go away. In other words, you've got to have reservations about reservations made with an online travel agent.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR RESERVATION
Check fine print.Travel agency websites often (but not always) disclose when your reservation will be processed. If you have questions, call.
Go meta. So-called aggregators or meta-search engines, like Kayak.com or Farechase.com, check many airline, hotel, or car rental sites, then send you to the site to book.
Book directly. If you need peace of mind, head for the airline, hotel, or car rental agency site.
Fly, Ritzy Little Robin, Fly!
Bargain business class is back--for the moment. This fall, Eos and MAXjet started service on the same route, from New York's JFK to London's Stansted, and they're both keeping it classy--no coach on these jets. (And snobby: "Our people are more Tiffany's, less United,"sniffs Eos exec David Spurlock.) The price is well below regular business-class fares (but well above coach). While a typical last-minute business-class ticket would run nearly $9,000, the introductory price on Eos is $5,000, and MAXjet hovers around $1,500 (with a deal through January 17 for $1,000 round-trip fares). The higher charge on Eos comes with extravagant perks, including seats that lie flat for better zzz-ing, an unprecedented 21 square feet of space for each of the 48 seats, and lamb's wool blankets. MAXjet's deep reclining seats and multi-course meals aren't too shabby either. The airline also plans to add other routes, including Stansted to Washington's Dulles. Fly 'em while you can. Remember lower-cost first-class Legend Airlines from 2000? Me neither.
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