Shonky OTA vs Direct with the airline

Murphy_The_Cat

cubegame wrote: »

This will almost certainly be down to the OTA buying tickets in another country.

As an example, when we booked with United to go to San Francisco last year there were a wider variety of fare classes available on their US site (using a VPN) than there UK site. This made our returns some £90 cheaper.

Another odd thing is that the (relaitively) low fare that I got wasn't available by any of the mainstream OTA's (UK or US), but only by one or two of the (being charitable) lesser known & much less loved !) OTA's

leylandsunaddict

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Fare not fair

So Fareboom then. Tickets will have been bought in the US. They're not an OTA. They're just an online ticket flogger.

Murphy_The_Cat

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

So Fareboom then. Tickets will have been bought in the US. They're not an OTA. They're just an online ticket flogger.

I didn't say that it was Fareboom , you did:cool:.


The tickets were indeed bought in the US. Over the years I've bought tickets from all over the world !
OTA - Online Ticket Agent. I've not come across the term OTF before :beer:.


Online Ticket Flogger, just like the Online Ticket Agents that people use on here all the time (sadly, sometimes with unexpected results).


Would I use them for an expensive, multi leg flight for my family across the world ? Hell no !
But for a straightforward one way, one stop flight across the Atlantic, when the saving was considerable - I just have !

mattyprice4004

Against my better judgement I've booked with a few before, but touch wood haven't actually had any huge issues that have caused significant issues.

A good few friends of mine work at Netflights (as they're based next to my hometown) and over a few beers in the pub they do say issues crop up occasionally but by and large, tickets are issued and customers travel problem-free.
I've booked a trip with them for later this year, around half the price of the airline direct. Tickets issued, seats chosen direct with the airline, happy days.

Murphy_The_Cat

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Against my better judgement I've booked with a few before, but touch wood haven't actually had any huge issues that have caused significant issues.

A good few friends of mine work at Netflights (as they're based next to my hometown) and over a few beers in the pub they do say issues crop up occasionally but by and large, tickets are issued and customers travel problem-free.
I've booked a trip with them for later this year, around half the price of the airline direct. Tickets issued, seats chosen direct with the airline, happy days.

I've always considered Netflights to be a 100%, 24 carat, 5* OTA - not hindered by being part of the Emirates Group, owned by the Government of Dubai :beer:

mattyprice4004

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

I've always considered Netflights to be a 100%, 24 carat, 5* OTA - not hindered by being part of the Emirates Group, owned by the Government of Dubai :beer:

Interesting - didn't know that!

Often these Middle Eastern companies are only interested in shaving off some of the bottom line, and have very little to do with the day to day running of a business.

Nick_C

When you need a one way longhaul ticket, it can be worth using an OTA.

In 2013, I got a one way ticket from Gatwick to Orlando for £373. It was a direct BA flight, but sold by Expedia as an Iberia code share. BA wanted £1100 for the same ticket.

But there are more options for one way transatlantic now. Norwegian, Aer Lingus, and Icelandair for example.

(Nowadays, I would use Avios for a redemption.)

A_Lert

You only know it's a good deal once you're on that plane landed at your destination.

Westin

A_Lert said:

You only know it's a good deal once you're on that plane landed at your destination.

I’d probably expand on that and say it is when you get HOME after the return flight and have the kettle on...