NEW YORK (CNNfn) - The business of booking plane tickets on the Internet is still in its infancy, but it is growing, and consumer advocates say there are deals to be had that can't be found elsewhere.
Less than 1 percent of all plane tickets are currently booked in cyberspace, yet some see this as the beginning of a full-scale electronic marketplace for low-fare travel.
Cyber-travel could steal business from traditional travel agents, but the industry says while clients hunt the Web for fares, many prefer booking a flight with human help.
"Many customers look at a reservation, and they say, 'well, that's the flight I want and I think that's the best value and the best price that I can get.' But they just want to verify that, and that is what travel agents really do, they compare and make sure the price and the reservation matches up," said Dick Knodt, executive vice-president of the American Society of Travel Agents.
In the last year, major airlines have started using the Internet to sell seats at the last minute which would otherwise go unsold.
American Airlines says after just eight months, it now generates well over $100,000 in busy months from its NetSAAver site -- money it would not have seen otherwise.
Northwest, USAir, Continental, and TWA also offer bargain tickets through the Internet. Routes and times are limited, and there are some glitches.
Caroline Johnston booked two flights online, paid, and got tickets from the airline only to find her reservations disappeared.
"I called the airline to see if I could change my reservation, and they said, 'you don't have a reservation,' even though I had paid and had a ticket in my hand," said Johnston.
She still prefers booking her own trips at her fingertips.
All indications are that Web-flight will take off. American Airlines predicts the Internet will handle a billion dollars in ticket sales by the year 2000.
|
