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Traveler's Aid: Online Update (11/01/2002)
It has
been said that even the longest journey begins with a single step.
And these days, that single step is usually toward the computer to
snag a cheap plane ticket. Airlines offer bargain-basement fares online
because getting passengers to book flights over the Internet saves
them a chunk o' change in distribution costs. They figure most travelers
are more than happy to book online if they can save a few bucks --
and, they're right.
But
the "Golden Age" of bargain-basement Web-only fares may be starting
to wane. America West has already cut way back on deep-discount
Internet fares, and US Airways has recently agreed to give travel
agents the same fares it offers on Orbitz. Can we expect
this trend to continue? Antonella Pianalto, executive director of
the Interactive Travel Services Association, talks with us about
the future of online booking.
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