Finding affordable airfare is a top priority for many travelers. Orbitz, a well-established online travel agency, has been a go-to platform for booking flights since 2001.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to effectively use the website to secure Orbitz cheap flights for your next journey. We’ll explore the key features that make Orbitz a popular choice among travelers, discuss some of its limitations, and provide a step-by-step approach to navigating the platform.
Whether you’re planning a business trip or a vacation, understanding how to optimize your search on Orbitz can lead to significant savings. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed decisions when booking Orbitz flights, balancing cost-effectiveness with your travel needs.
Features of Orbitz
Orbitz offers several features that make it an attractive option for booking flights. These features are designed to provide value, convenience, and savings to travelers.
Orbitz Rewards Program
The Orbitz Rewards Program allows users to earn Orbucks on Orbitz flight booking, which can be redeemed for hotel stays. For every $1 spent on Orbitz flights, you earn 1% back in Orbucks, which essentially acts as a store credit for future hotel bookings. This feature can be particularly beneficial for frequent travelers, as it allows them to accumulate savings over time that can be used to offset the cost of accommodations.
Flight + Hotel Deals
Orbitz flight and hotel deals offer the option to bundle flight and hotel bookings, often resulting in significant savings compared to booking these components separately. This feature not only saves money but also simplifies the travel planning process by allowing you to book multiple elements of your trip in one transaction. Additionally, these Orbitz travel deals can sometimes include extras like free breakfast or airport transfers, providing even more value.
Price Match Promise
Orbitz’s Price Match Promise is a commitment to offer competitive pricing on Orbitz airline tickets. If you find a lower price on another website for the same flight within 24 hours of booking, Orbitz will refund the difference. This feature gives travelers confidence that they’re getting a good deal on Orbitz plane tickets and provides a safety net for those who like to book quickly without extensive price comparisons.
Flexible Date Search
The Flexible Date Search feature on orbitz.com flights allows users to view prices for dates around their preferred travel time, helping to identify the cheapest days to fly. This tool displays a calendar with prices for each day, making it easy to spot potential Orbitz flights deals. For travelers with flexible schedules, this feature can lead to substantial savings on flight costs, especially for Orbitz round trip flights.
Flight Scores
Orbitz provides Flight Scores, which are ratings that consider factors like duration, amenities, and aircraft type for Orbitz flights tickets. These scores help travelers quickly assess the overall value and quality of a flight, beyond just the price. By considering elements like layover times, in-flight entertainment, and legroom, Flight Scores can help you make more informed decisions about which Orbitz cheap flights offer the best overall experience for your needs and preferences.
Why You Need an Alternative for Orbitz
While Orbitz offers many benefits, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. Understanding these drawbacks can help you decide whether to use Orbitz exclusively or to supplement your search with other tools and platforms.
No Multi-City Search
Orbitz doesn’t offer the ability to search for flights to entire countries or regions simultaneously. This limitation can be frustrating for travelers who are flexible with their destination and simply want to find the best Orbitz flight deals to a general area. For those planning multi-city trips, this feature gap may require more time-consuming individual searches for each leg of the journey.
No Direct Airline Booking
All Orbitz flights tickets are booked through Orbitz as an intermediary, rather than directly with the airline. This can sometimes complicate matters if you need to make changes or cancellations, as you may need to go through Orbitz customer service rather than dealing with the airline directly. In cases of Orbitz flight cancellation, this extra layer can potentially lead to longer resolution times.
No Map View
Unlike some of its competitors, Orbitz lacks a map view functionality for flight searches. This feature is particularly useful for visualizing route options and finding nearby airports that offer better Orbitz flight deals. The absence of this tool may make it less convenient for travelers who prefer a more visual approach to flight planning.
Limited Results
While Orbitz offers a wide range of options, it may not always show the absolute cheapest flights available. Some budget airlines or special fares might not be included in Orbitz flight booking results. This means that to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal, you may need to cross-reference Orbitz cheap flights with other search engines or directly with airlines.
Steps to Use Orbitz to Save on Flights
Navigating Orbitz’s platform effectively can unlock substantial airfare discounts and streamline travel planning. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Access Orbitz and start your search
Go to www.orbitz.com or use the Orbitz mobile app. Click on the “Flights” tab in the main search bar.
Step 2: Enter your flight details
Enter your origin, destination, travel dates, and number of passengers. Select one-way, roundtrip, or multi-city flights and specify your preferred fare type (economy, business, etc.). You can also add a hotel, vacation rental, or other lodging and car rental to your existing flight booking.
Step 3. Initiate the search
Click the “Search” button to view available Orbitz flights. Be patient as Orbitz aggregates results from various sources to find the best Orbitz airline tickets.
Step 4. Review and compare results
Results are displayed from lowest to highest price for the entire round trip. Use filters on the left to narrow down options by airline, stops, departure time, and more.
Step 5: Select your flights
Choose your outbound flight by clicking “Select.”
On the next screen, pick your return flight, being aware of any additional costs. Review fare options (e.g., economy, business class) and click “Select” again.
Step 6. Complete your booking
Review all booking details carefully, including the total cost. Click “Check Out” to proceed with the payment.
Enter passenger details, consider add-ons like travel insurance, and provide payment information. Then, confirm your reservation by clicking “Complete Booking.”
Orbitz offers a blend of convenience and savings, particularly for travelers interested in rewards programs or bundled packages. However, to truly optimize your travel planning, consider Orbitz as one tool in your broader strategy. Complement your Orbitz flight booking with price comparisons across multiple platforms like OneAir and direct airline websites. This approach allows you to leverage Orbitz’s strengths while mitigating its limitations, ultimately helping you secure the best possible deals for your unique travel needs.
