PATREONItems tagged with orbitz
United Airlines isn't too happy with a savvy 22-year-old who built a website that helps people find cheaper airfare. Neither is Orbitz for that matter. What is it about the website that would prompt United Airlines and Orbitz to file a civil lawsuit against its owner, Aktarer Zaman? It's the fact that it finds cheaper airfare using a strategy called "hidden city" ticketing.Here's how it works -- let's say you want to travel to Chicago. Using the "hidden city" ticketing method, you would buy a one-way ticket that has a layover in Chicago, and once you arrive, you simply stay there rather than board whatever connecting flight you paid for.While it's not always cheaper to use this method, a lot...
Read more...
You've heard of the so-called 'Apple Tax' in which Apple branded computers carry a premium for the same or similar parts compared to their Windows-based brethren (we took a detailed examination of whether or not the Apple Tax is real in late 2010), but since when do Apple users have to pay more for unrelated services like hotel lodging? Since Orbitz decided to display higher priced lodging options to Mac users, that's when. Orbitz reportedly discovered that people using a Mac tend to spend nearly a third more on hotel reservations, and with that being the case, it made the decision to beam pricier lodging options to those who visit its website on a Mac versus a Windows-based PC. According to...
Read more...
Expedia made headlines last month when it hid fares for American Airlines after AA cut its fares from being available on Orbitz. In keeping with its commitment to provide travelers with affordable options, Expedia recently announced a multi-year agreement with US Airways to provide the airline’s full range of products and services including fares and inventory. In addition to the agreement, Expedia will work with US Airways to distribute its Choice Seats product through new channels such as the Expedia online travel marketplace. US Airways and Expedia Sign New Multi-Year Partnership Agreement TEMPE, Ariz. and BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways (NYSE: LCC) and Expedia,...
Read more...
There's a new battle ongoing, and it's one heavy on the politics. Not unlike the internal software wars between Apple and Microsoft, Expedia is waging war against American Airlines shortly after AA cut their fares out entirely from Orbitz. This past week, American decided that they'd rather not sell tickets through Orbitz. The reasons are numerous, but it's obviously heavily political. So now, when you search for a flight somewhere, American's fares aren't there for comparison. Obviously Expedia, which is in the same market as Orbitz, isn't too happy about that kind of strong-arm tactic. These online travel sites stay in business because shoppers know they can compare rates from across the airline...
Read more...
