The decision of several airlines to pull their flight inventories from online travel sites can make it more challenging for passengers to find a good deal.
American Airlines is no longer listing its flights on Orbitz and Expedia. Delta has pulled its flights from several smaller online booking sites.
Airlines say it's a way for them to save money. They wouldn't have to give fees to the online travel sites. However, it could make it harder for passengers to find a good deal.
"From a traveler's perspective, a traveler wants the widest array of fares and schedules possible, and with some of the carriers pulling out of the online booking tool, they're losing that option," says AAA Eastern Region Director of Travel Jennine Lombardi.
Lombardi says the move could cause more airlines to do the same thing. However, she says this does not affect AAA's online travel booking systems.
"Working through a travel agency, you're going to get the widest array of options of different fares as well as having somebody there 24 hours a day should there be delays or missed connections," says Lombardi.
If you did book an American Airlines ticket through Expedia or Orbitz, those tickets are still valid. However, if you want to make changes, it may be a good idea to go through the airline itself.
