I go to places like Orbitz to check schedules and prices, but when it's time to book, I book directly through the airlines.

I think lots of people have positive results with Orbitz, but I think if you are unfortunate enough to have a problem it is more difficult to resolve. If possible book thru the airline.

If you have a complicated reservation that you can't duplicate directly and you have to book with Orbitz make sure you verify your resrvations with the airline, so you don't have any surprises when you show up for your flight.

I just happened to think, especially since you are booking for a group of people you might print the info you get from Orbitz and take it to a regular travel agent and see if they can match the price. If they do, at least you will have someone to yell at if things go wrong.

I do use Orbitz - especially when I can get the most desirable schedule by booking legs on multiple airlines.

That said, you must be very careful about checking that you have adequate time between connecting flights. You also should confirm your flights with the airlines, even though you have received confirmation from Orbitz, and make sure that the airlines have your correct contact information, not just the Orbitz number.

Orbitz is a reliable site, but you need to be watchful. The only problem I have ever had with Orbitz was once when they erroneously canceled a leg of my flight, without having received any notification from me.

Used Orbitz who undercut Virgin on my last transatlantic trip, and no problems. However, just staightforward return flight. I do know some people have had a problem with them though.

I have never used Orbitz but always check various sources and invariably book directly with the airline or occasionally with travel agents who can undercut the on line services.

one advantage of booking directly with airlines (also car rentals, hotels etc) is that if anything goes wrong you can deal with them directly. I have often been very frustrated with having to deal via an agent

So book directly unless you are saving a reasonable amount

I've done best with Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity when booking both plane tickets and hotels together...I have gotten great deals that way. However, if I'm booking separately (b/c I already have a place to stay or booked it through Priceline), I go through the airline website.

Thank you for all the results from my post. I should purchase my tickets this week...