Resources/Links
July 7, 2000
Whether it was clothes, cars or camping gear, you've probably heard somebody say they got a good deal on the internet.
Well, we wanted to find out if cyberspace really is the place for bargains.
News Specialist Scott Light will regularly check out deals on the internet for Eyewitness News. He'll do the shopping for you, online and at the store, to find the better deal.
He begins this new series called "E-Exam" at the Salt Lake International Airport.
What better place to start than to check one of most expensive aspects of your vacation budget-- your airline ticket.
Sharlene Enloe is visiting her in-laws.
She took off from Dallas but took off to cyberspace for her ticket.
Sharlene Enloe/Bought Ticket Online: "LATELY WE'VE BEEN USING TRAVELOSITY BECAUSE THEY E-MAIL US AND TELL US WHEN FLIGHTS ARE LOW, AND SOMETIMES WE FIND REALLY CHEAP TICKETS THAT WAY."
Enloe referred to Travelocity.com, a popular travel website.
We tested three of the most popular ones for the the lowest priced ticket on random flights.
First stop, Orlando.
| Travelocity.com |
Delta |
$434 |
| Expedia.com |
America West |
$350 |
| Lowestfare.com |
TWA |
$268 |
Travelocity's lowest price was a Delta flight for $434.
Lowest price flight at Expedia.com was America West -- $350.
The lowest price overall was at LowestFare.com.
A TWA flight for $268.
Next stop, New York City.
| Travelocity.com |
Delta |
$329 |
| Expedia.com |
Delta |
$329 |
| Lowestfare.com |
TWA |
$260 |
Travelocity's lowest -- a Delta flight at $329.
Expedia quoted the same flight.
Again, lowestfare.com had the lowest.
TWA for $260.
Our last location was more obscure, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
| Travelocity.com |
Delta |
$366 |
| Expedia.com |
Delta |
$366 |
| Lowestfare.com |
Delta |
$366 |
All three dot-coms came back with the same ticket.
A Delta flight at $366.
Sarah Bowen bought her ticket to Salt Lake online, but wasn't pleased with the shopping experience.
Sarah Bowen/Bought Ticket Online: "THERE'S LIKE A 10 DOLLAR FEE IF I WANTED THE TICKET SENT TO ME AND ALSO IT SEEMS A LOT EASIER TO TALK TO A PERSON."
Discount travel websites have also been a hassle for Sharlene Enloe.
"IT WAS SUCH A CHEAP TICKET THAT THEY WOULDN'T LET ME STAY IN SEATTLE. EVEN THOUGH I WAS FLYING THERE, THEY WOULDN'T LET ME STOP."
That's the lesson if you buy online.
Travelocity and Expedia tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Lowestfare.com simply says terms and conditions apply-- make sure you read them.
A ticket booked through the airlines could have more flexibility.
United, for example, judges cancellations and re-scheduling on a case by case basis.
As for priceline.com, we left that one out of our comparison because it involves bidding on a flight.
Obviously the internet is convenient, but make you sure you read the fine print.
And don't forget the websites of the major airlines.
Most of them post new discount flights every week that you can only find on their websites.
Links & Resources
Major Airlines
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