No-Frills Travel Site Gets the Job Done
Apr 03 '00 (Updated Apr 18 '00)
Curses, Foiled Again
In two recent attempts to schedule last-minute business flights with Travelocity, I was thwarted. In the first case, Travelocity would not confirm the flight, but did not state the reason. By logging on to Delta’s web site, I discovered the problem. On one leg of the four-leg trip, the coach cabin was sold out. Delta gladly allowed me to book the flight as a first class trip, whereas Travelocity did not explain the problem or offer a potential solution.
The second case involved two different carriers. One leg from Shreveport to New Orleans was on US Airways Express, while the remaining legs to Orlando and back to Shreveport (by way of Dallas) were on Delta. Although all flights had seats available in coach class, Travelocity would not confirm the reservation because two carriers were involved, making the issuance of a single electronic ticket impossible--even though both US Airways and Delta provide e-tickets. I thought, "Why not split the fare between the two carriers and issue two e-tickets?" But Travelocity does not offer that option.
Normally, Travelocity would issue a paper ticket, but in this case, there was insufficient time to deliver a paper ticket. I was informed that I could call Travelocity’s Customer Service number to determine if arrangements could be made to pick up a paper ticket at the airport, for an additional $40 fee. I decided to explore other options.
I first tried Delta’s web site once again; but this time, I was unable to confirm a flight schedule--there was apparently too much web traffic. Since I needed to leave the next day and it was by now 10 P.M., I couldn’t resort to the "antiquated" device of calling a travel agent. I also use Preview Travel on occasion, so I tried that web site. Once again, I couldn’t get into my account.
Beggars Can’t Be Choosy
Beginning to feel a little desperate, I did a quick search on "online airline tickets." I was interested to see a link to the site "Airlines.com." Never having heard of it, I was a little leery, but since I had few other alternatives at that point, I followed the link. I was met with a low-key, no-frills interface that worked quickly and well.
Unlike Travelocity, which is graphics-intensive and slow to load (even in the optional reduced-graphics version), Airlines.com was very quick and easy to navigate. All that was required to open a new account was my name and a valid e-mail address. I was immediately given access to their search engine and confirmed availability on my desired flights. Once I selected "confirm reservation," I was asked for a credit card number and billing address. Airlines.com did what I would have done in the same circumstance. It issued two electronic tickets, one for US Airways Express, and one for Delta.
A No-Nonsense Approach to Online Reservations
In keeping with its minimalist approach, the Airlines.com server does not store credit card information. However, seating preferences, airline, hotel, and car rental preferences along with frequent flyer numbers can be stored in the user's profile. Airlines.com offers a Java-based seat assignment facility that can be used when reservations are made.
The tradeoff for not having access to all the graphics and stored information of other sites is a clean, quick-loading, and highly-focused online travel site. Given its lean, fast-loading, and no-frills approach, Airlines.com has a lot going for it. Add to that the fact that it actually solved my problem of getting a last-minute ticket, and I would have to say that it gets the job done.
In addition to online airline ticketing, Airlines.com offers rental car and hotel reservations as well. Though it is not as fully-featured or as pretty as Travelocity, Expedia, or Preview Travel, Airlines.com's no-nonsense approach to making online reservations should win it some new customers as well as keep current customers coming back. I for one plan to visit them again. In my business, results are what matter, and Airlines.com delivered.
Note: April 18, 2000. I have returned to and used Airlines.com three times since writing this review. In every case, the service has been quick and effective, including offering me lower-priced alternatives when I've suggested an itinerary. I continue to be very impressed with this site--lap0530
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Epinions.com ID:
lap0530
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Location: Anderson, SC
Reviews written: 122
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About Me:
Psychology and management professor and business consultant
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