ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY

The 6 best online travel agencies of 2013

D Arts/Shutterstock
D Arts/Shutterstock

In this year’s best online travel agency category, it was yet another close vote. Travelocity and Kayak were tied until almost the last minute. But then Travelocity pulled ahead with just seconds left in the voting — almost a photo finish.

Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline round out the list, followed by Hotwire.

I didn’t distinguish between so-called “opaque” sites like Priceline and Hotwire and the “full-service” agencies. The list is a useful guide for anyone considering making a travel purchase online.

Here are the top online travel agencies of 2013 according to the readers of this site.
[continue]

Please vote for your favorite online travel agency

Africa Studios/Shutterstock
Africa Studios/Shutterstock
Online travel agencies have been called everything from web-based “vending machines” to travel agency killers. Like ‘em or not, they’re a part of the travel ecosystem — and they’re not all created equally.

This week, I’m resuming my Elliott’s List feature by asking you to vote on your favorite online travel agency. Which site offers the best service, prices and stands behind its products? In other words, which one do you turn to when you need to go somewhere?

Thank you for voting. Here are the results.

After the storm, who has your refund?

The recent superstorm and series of nor’easters that slammed into the East Coast grounded tens of thousands of travelers, including Neil Weiss.

Fortunately, most travel companies waived their usual rules, offering those delayed by the storms a refund or a credit. But not all travel companies. Weiss, an editor for a trade magazine based in Cherry Hill, N.J., found an unlikely roadblock to his refund: his online travel agency.
[continue]


30 comments

Ticket? Check. Bag? Check. Insurance? Pre-check.

Seconds before Terri Widder booked a recent flight from Chicago to Tulsa, she hesitated. Something felt wrong.

She scrolled up on her computer screen and noticed an option to buy a $19.95 insurance policy that would protect her if her trip were canceled, her bags were stolen or she needed emergency assistance.

The box was already checked.

“Fortunately, I caught it before I confirmed the reservation,” said Widder, a retiree who lives in Carol Stream, Ill. “I believe this is just another way to mislead the customer and get more in fees and adjustments in revenue from people who may not be that familiar with the process. There are no benefits to the customer.”
[continue]


21 comments