Internet travel battle – three rivals through their paces

Bob Geldof complained existing Internet travel sites Expedia and Travelocity were too slow and too complicated for the average punter. Travel Weekly technology reporter Dinah Robinson put the three rivals through their paces and saw how they compared to a real-life travel agent. The enquiry was just like Bob’s – flights for a family to Miami in May, please!

Geldof claims the new site will let you put in dates and destination and come up with the cheapest option without any hassle… unfortunately I didn’t get to find out.

Tried to log on at 9.45am but failed to get a link. At 9.50am monitor showed an error. Tried again and same thing happened. Not surprised since the site has not functioned properly since 10am on Wednesday when it was launched.

Geldof claimed too much interest in the site had caused the problems. It remains to be seen if his boasts can be substantiated, but after this performance I really don’t like Thursdays.

Logged on at 10.20am. Immediate link. Graphics not too heavy so page comes up in 10secs. Go to fast fare finder area and type in my destination. I’m told it will only quote adult return prices in economy. I enter dates and press Go!

Alas, I am going nowhere as I am then told I must register before getting into the travel area. This takes an age as the site is not happy with my details. I go back and forth, but after 13mins I get six options – £414.50 per adult is the best.

I still have no idea how much a child fare is. Decide I’m desperate for a holiday and will go without the kids…but when I try to reserve flight I am hit by pages of rules, penalties, and detail requests. The page quits and the computer crashes.

Logged on at 11am. There was an immediate link but it’s front end was graphic heavy which meant it was quite slow to fully form the page. Requires me to click on “need a log-in name?” before I can go any further.

I try to book a flight and after putting in all my details I am told both cities (ie London to Miami) must be in the US. Click indiscriminately until, hey presto, nine flights come up. The cheapest is Gatwick to Miami for £364.

Oh dear. It seemed to be going so well. When I try to finalise the flight “unexpected response!” flashes on screen and I have to go back to the beginning. It’s taken 30mins and I still haven’t got anywhere. Give up.

Does anybody not know how to use a telephone? A quick look in the Yellow Pages and I’m away. Friendly consultant can’t wait to help me out.

Like a dream. There was no waiting on the line here. Within 3mins the consultant had quoted me a fare of £369 per adult, half price for children.

As the technology reporter I’m certainly no technophobe – but it seems the Internet doesn’t live up to its billing quite yet. The agent wins hands down. After these experiences, it’s certainly good to talk.