American Airlines vs Orbitz & Expedia

[jsattapr2]

Wonder how this war will be resolved? Think American will have to capitulate?

[[email protected]]

I think all the airlines need to capitulate - they are getting out of hand and it is about time some protests get started

[jsattapr2]

Wonder how this war will be resolved? Think American will have to capitulate?

I think AA will eventually go back and strike another deal.

[jmbklj]

I think - and hope - they'll go back to Expedia & Orbitz. I'm a Delta frequent flyer so I don't have that much experience with AA. But from a Delta perspective, I can tell you that sometimes Orbitz & Expedia will show Delta flight options that are not available on the Delta site, so then I use those 2 sites. And occasionally, I have a need to book one airline outbound & a different airline on the return. I can do on Expedia and Orbitz but not on the airline website.

[omegaet]

I think - and hope - they'll go back to Expedia & Orbitz. I'm a Delta frequent flyer so I don't have that much experience with AA. But from a Delta perspective, I can tell you that sometimes Orbitz & Expedia will show Delta flight options that are not available on the Delta site, so then I use those 2 sites. And occasionally, I have a need to book one airline outbound & a different airline on the return. I can do on Expedia and Orbitz but not on the airline website.

The writer of the linked article seems less optimistic about the return of AA....also, it is interesting to note DL has made a similar move with three lesser know sites:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/9705...n-airlines.htm

Always interesting to observe these types of power plays and the tendency of one major carrier to follow in the tracks of a trend setter.

When it comes to technology and aggressive applications, nothing seems to remain static, except carcusses of the dead and dying.

[jmbklj]

I just received an email from AA on this topic......

Dear jmbklj,

As a valued AAdvantage member, we want to clarify what you may be reading in the press. As a result of a commercial dispute, over the past several weeks there have been changes to how we sell our tickets. American Airlines last month removed its fares and schedules from Orbitz.com, and effective January 1 Expedia.com stopped offering American Airlines fares on its website. Additionally Sabre, a company that distributes airline fares and schedules, made it more difficult for travel agents to find and select American’s flights by moving our fares lower in the display order than they normally would be listed.

While there is much misinformation circulating on these matters, rest assured that tickets for travel on American Airlines and American Eagle — including all international and domestic classes of service — are widely available through a number of outlets, including American’s own website, AA.com, which features our Lowest Fare Guarantee. Tickets, fares and schedules are also available through American’s reservations agents, thousands of travel agencies in locations worldwide, other online travel agencies such as Priceline.com, and travel search engines such as Kayak.com. For more information, please visit AA.com.

We are committed to working with all distribution channels, including traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and global distribution systems. We will keep you informed of important updates on these developments.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address this matter. We appreciate your business very much and look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Sincerely,

Maya Leibman
President
AAdvantage® Loyalty Program

[travel2fun]

Whatever happens, and this may very well be the first step in a trend by the major US carriers, it always boils down to money and that is the only point. AA doesn't want to pay travel services and on-line booking sites any more than they have to. I'm sure AA can measure their "lost" or "gained" revenue as a result of this decision. The other wolves will follow, if AA has made the profitable choice!

[omegaet]

Whatever happens, and this may very well be the first step in a trend by the major US carriers, it always boils down to money and that is the only point. AA doesn't want to pay travel services and on-line booking sites any more than they have to. I'm sure AA can measure their "lost" or "gained" revenue as a result of this decision. The other wolves will follow, if AA has made the profitable choice!

t-2-f....I agree with your assessments. Now it appears Sabre has joined in with Orbitz and Expedia to put more pressure on AA (by 'adjusting' the positioning of AA flight fares to travel agencies). I'm sure there have been and continue to be behind the scenes negotiations and discussions among the players.

My hunch is AA will reach an adjust fee agreement with Orbitz and Expedia and business will return to 'SOS' in the near future.

Just a guess!

[omegaet]

t-2-f....I agree with your assessments. Now it appears Sabre has joined in with Orbitz and Expedia to put more pressure on AA (by 'adjusting' the positioning of AA flight fares to travel agencies). I'm sure there have been and continue to be behind the scenes negotiations and discussions among the players.

My hunch is AA will reach an adjust fee agreement with Orbitz and Expedia and business will return to 'SOS' in the near future.

Just a guess!

Getting more interesting. Now let's start getting the attorneys involved and take the mess to court!

[love2travel33]

I also think they will go back to the search sites. It just does not make sense to not have your product in front of as many people as possible.