If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
orbitz cares
There was a thread a while back about Orbitz mis-listing fares. So I
contacted them. Their thoughful reply explains everything! =========================== Original Query: For WEEKS now I've been looking at NW fares from xxx to yyy on different dates on Orbitz, and they always list low fares that are unavailable (low $200's), and they they offer fare after fare that is unavailable, until the total goes into the upper $300's. Even when the NWA website quotes a flight at $248, Orbitz will offer it at $204, and then say it is unavailable at that rate--and offer alternatives into the $300's. You are LOSING BUSINESS by having these flights misprogrammed, which they have been for WEEKS and I mean WEEKS. Orbitz is currently unable to sell NW--at least in this market--because of this stupid and grotesque programming problem. Is there anyway to book these flights at all through Orbitz at a genuine rate, without minutes of frustrating clicking on non-existent fares? =========================== Thoughtful reply from Orbitz (note the last line!): Dear Orbitz Member, Thank you for contacting Orbitz. Many unbelievably low fares are usually offered for a very limited period of time (maybe even 1 hour) and with a very limited number of seats when a carrier wishes to draw attention to a certain flight/itinerary. So, it is possible that the low fare was available, it just became unavailable rather quickly, specially with Orbitz having 13 million + registered users. In order to continue offering you the best travel benefits on the Internet, we charge a fee for airline ticket purchases. Orbitz promises to offer you: * the widest selection of low fares from more than 450 airlines * an unbiased site that never favors one airline over another * the most Web Fares * 24-hour access to our Customer Service professionals Independent audit firms confirm that Orbitz finds you the lowest fares more than 80 percent of the time, which is more than other travel sites. We value you as a customer and look forward to serving you again in the future. Sincerely, Milton Orbitz Customer Service www.Orbitz.com Most Low Fares Made Easy |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
orbitz cares
Their thoughful reply explains everything!
Right. They would rather you e-mail them so they can send you that pap instead of calling them up and trying to get a real answer. When I called I managed to get one of the supervisors so flustered that she hung up on me, a firing offense at many call centers. When I am consistently offerred low fares only to find out 5 minutes later that they are unavailable, and I should try something higher priced, that is the old bait and switch, pure and simple. And I don't give a hoot for their lame excuses about sudden fare/availability updates or incompatibility with AOL or 13 million registered users. It's all a smoke screen to calm you while they pull the old switcheroo. Simple rule of business: If you can't sell it, don't offer it. The FTC needs to investigate these guys. As for me, I just choose to shop elsewhere. Jerry in LAS |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
orbitz cares
It's all a smoke screen to calm you while they pull the old switcheroo.
The only thing I don't understand, is when a flight isn't available at $204, but both the nwa.com website and Travelocity have it at $272, why doesn't Orbitz simply 'correct' the misquote, and offer it at $272. But Orbitz doesn't. You simply can't GET that flight on Orbitz--since they keep offering you 'alternatives'--and they don't have a segment select function to 'force' a price on those particular flights. The only reason it's really an issue for me is because I have an Orbitz credit card, and want to apply a credit earned from it to the fllight. I want to purchase those flights, even at the "correct" fare--and I CAN'T on Orbitz. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
orbitz cares
When Orbitz pulled the "quote low only offer high" routine on me, I was NOT on
AOL. I was on a high speed conection. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Orbitz and the old Bait and Switch | Jaybee727 | Air travel | 20 | October 1st, 2003 04:37 PM |