Biztravel.com e-mailed me about 2mins after I registered, to give a brief outline of services. Booking was easy if answers are given exactly and only took 5mins. Giving routings via Frankfurt and Paris was unique and may suit cost-conscious clients.
Got into the site without any fuss, but had to register as a first time booker which was a frustrating process. It took three goes to complete as Biztravel wanted so many details, and names and passwords had to be original. But, once in, the booking process was easy enough.
The booking form wanted three-letter airport codes or exact names, not just London Heathrow. My first effort was rejected. It went well after this, with clear routings displayed and costs – the cheapest being £1,861.81 with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.
BA prides itself on its on-line booking option – and quite rightly. The process does not ask you to register and is very straightforward. Departure, destination points, passenger number and class of travel are easy to put in. Costs come up with a simple click
This was the quickest booking process of the three methods Itested. Flight times, airports and costs were clearly indicated. However, BA’s own fare was the most expensive at £3,296.40.
BA reckons 50% of its business will be conducted over the Internet by 2005, but to do this, it must watch prices. Both Biztravel.com and Lunn Poly gave cheaper fares for BA flights, the on-line agent at £3,271.80 and the high-street agent at £3,294.30.
Call answered quickly, but agent claimed business fares would not come up on the machine and would have to call me back. After I queried this, and the agent asked a colleague for some advice, I was told my request was being dealt with.
The consultant was quick and efficient. I was given just one fare, slightly cheaper than BA’s own offer. On asking if this BA price was the cheapest, I was told it was on top of the list and the cheapest, and by implication, no need to check European airport routings.
After initial confusion I was given something very close to BA’s own fare. All well and good, but clearly not the cheapest way to get to New York from London. People who had less knowledge of booking air fares might not have faired so well.