Booking flights from the Uk via US/Aussie Expedia Sites

evilpikachu2000 · 20 July 2008 at 5:02PM

Hello everyone,
I'll be travelling to Vegas in the next few months and the flights on the Australian and US sites - Expedia being an example - are much cheaper. What I want to know is can you use these "foriegn" sites to book a ticket? Would I be doing anything illegal if booking via a credit card on a US/Aussie site as a British national? I appreciate anyone's experiences on this and thank you in advance for any help you could give.

Regards

Blue264 · 20 July 2008 at 5:19PM

I'll be interested to see the answer to this one too, particularly with regards to U.S. based web sites.

I've done it a few times, mainly prior to 9/11. Most recent was last October booking Heathrow to L.A. for a friend direct with the N.Z. site of Air New Zealand and there were no problems with that. We booked the hotels on the U.S. based websites and paid in USD to take advantage of the exchange rate but I have no idea if it's permissable with flights.

evilpikachu2000 · 21 July 2008 at 9:45AM

ok, i e-mailed the australian expedia site stating that I was based in the UK and could I still book on their website and they replied that this COULD be done. I'm just trying to find out from a definitive source whether this is possible or not. Will keep you posted.

evilpikachu2000 · 21 July 2008 at 9:47AM

I also need to know whether it is actually legal or whether the costs are governed by the country of departure.

Baz_2 · 21 July 2008 at 10:08AM

If it doesn't restrict you from entering a UK home address then it cant be a problem can it. If its illegal for you to do that then the travel agents, i.e expedia, will be miss selling and would also be liable.

I've just booked UK to US flights using a Chilean website and using their US residents option, it was much cheaper.

The tickets have all been issued and my card charged. Nowhere along the process did it object to my UK residency.

evilpikachu2000 · 21 July 2008 at 10:21AM

Thanks for all the replies so far. I would like to know whether anyone has actually booked from an international websiteand experienced any problems once they have got to the airport? I know that if i book i'll worry about it until im on the flight itself!!!

Baz_2 · 21 July 2008 at 10:28AM

Seems to me your desperately trying to find a problem that doesn't exist. Just book and relax.

The airport people won't know where or how you booked your flights, especially if you have used expedia.

If you waiting for someone to say they had a problem, but nobody has had a problem you will be worrying a long time.

evilpikachu2000 · 21 July 2008 at 10:36AM

you're a wise man baz, its like talking to a fortune cookie! in a good way, thats not an insult! I appreciate your time on this one.

M4RKM · 21 July 2008 at 12:03PM

i've booked flights for a UK - US TATL trip, on a US website, and had no issues, and had flown successfully!

M

evilpikachu2000 · 21 July 2008 at 2:10PM

thanks for all replies so far, appreciate it. Anyone else had a good or bad experience?

markccfc · 21 July 2008 at 6:56PM

Thought i'd try on Expedia's sites for UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia for :-

London (Any) to Los Angeles Nov 27 - Dec 4

Cheapest flights available were :-

Canada - $479 (£239) - 1-Stop Out, Direct Back
UK - £320 - Direct
USA - $479 (£240) - 1-Stop Out, Direct Back
New Zealand $563 (£214) - 1-Stop Out, 1-Stop Back
Australia $412 (£201) - 1-Stop Out, Direct Back

What's the catch ? Why is it that Expedia Australia can offer a flight fully inclusive of tax for £201 - yet the cheapest UK option is £320.

I don't get it. Rip off Britain ?

Booking flights from the Uk via US/Aussie Expedia Sites

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