Air Travel Search Engines
Air travel search engine requirements ain't what you think. In this article we will explore the thinking behind air travel search engines, and why they may not always give you the right price.
Before we do that, however, we must understand what these search engines are connecting to.
Travel search engines like Orbitz or Expedia are not really search engines at all; instead, they're more like an interface that sits on top on the search engine. Travel agents deal directly with this tool, which is known as a Global Distribution System (GDS). In this system, travel agents can not only see what flights are available, they can also see how many seats are available at that price.
Orbitz does not act directly with the GDS (which works in real time). Rather, it takes a snapshot of the GDS once a day (usually in the middle of the night) and shows those results when you search on their site. Even try to book a flight at a price and get a message that says "Sorry, this flight is no longer available at this price?" That's because someone already booked it (probably a travel agent) and you're looking at old news.
Air travel search engines have their place, don't get me wrong. It is important however, to understand their limitations. For example, these search engines will only show you published fares (meant for the public), but they will not show you wholesale fares which you can buy from a consolidator directly and cut out the middleman.
While the Internet has certainly made it easier to book travel, it is not the only way. My advice is to check with an air travel search engine like Orbitz first, then contact a travel agent to see if they can beat the price (even if the prices are close, I'd still go with an agent; there easier to reach in emergency!)
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