How to actually get fares quoted by Matrix-ITA?

[Lawlass]

Does anyone have much experience with using Matrix-ITA? I can rarely find the prices it quotes going directly to the airline. e.g. Matrix ITA is quoting me GBP 302 MAN-LAS on 28/7 on Thomas Cook Airlines, but when I go to that site, the best price offered is GBP 559. What am I doing wrong?

 

[juddles]

.... using Matrix-ITA...... What am I doing wrong?

There is the answer

 

[andyhui01]

Does anyone have much experience with using Matrix-ITA? I can rarely find the prices it quotes going directly to the airline. e.g. Matrix ITA is quoting me GBP 302 MAN-LAS on 28/9 n Thomas Cook Airlines, but when I go to that site, the best price offered is GBP 559. What am I doing wrong?

Use Google Flights, while it may not be the same price. They actually link you to a place where you can book the flight
I can see your flight for $330 booking with condor.com

 

[juddles]

Sorry - I feel your pain. When I discovered ITA Matrix it seemed great, but I am in the group that likes to do my own bookings, and the only way to try to get those fares is via a travel agent.

In my understanding, essentially what ITA matrix does is search the various "official" airline databases to see what the lowest technically-available fares are. But the ability of online sites to find and offer these same fares is VERY patchy. So most people will advise you to "find a good travel agent".

If you do that, then please be aware that the travel agent has to make a living too, so I would expect to be paying them more than the ITA fare.

But anyway, as in all fare searching, try a variety of sites to see if they offer what you are seeing via ITA. Try google flights and hipmonkey for starters......

 

[Lawlass]

Sorry, meant 28/7/17, not 28/9 - will change now.

 

[TomVexille]

Sorry - I feel your pain. When I discovered ITA Matrix it seemed great, but I am in the group that likes to do my own bookings, and the only way to try to get those fares is via a travel agent.

In my understanding, essentially what ITA matrix does is search the various "official" airline databases to see what the lowest technically-available fares are. But the ability of online sites to find and offer these same fares is VERY patchy. So most people will advise you to "find a good travel agent".

If you do that, then please be aware that the travel agent has to make a living too, so I would expect to be paying them more than the ITA fare.

But anyway, as in all fare searching, try a variety of sites to see if they offer what you are seeing via ITA. Try google flights and hipmonkey for starters......

While you are correct. I have used a TA once (any may do so again in the future) as they were able to book something I found on ITA for a $60 fee (as there was no airline commission) which came out as ~$260 cheaper than the airline website or any of the OTAs would sell me. So while I don't like having absolute control, this TA has been very proactive at keeping me updated on changes etc.

 

[Gold Member]

https://bookwithmatrix.com/

I've used them many times for obscure AA multi-city status runs. Takes you direct to operating carrier.

 

[serfty]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...ipt-orbitz-dl-ua-aa-ba-cz-ib-la-lh-lx-tk.html

Greasemonkey / tampermonkey script that works with ITA on Chrome and Firefox.

I have booked several fares with this.

 

[Danger]

With Matrix shutting down at the end of the year, what will be an alternative to getting detailed fare pricing?

 

[Gold Member]

With Matrix shutting down at the end of the year, what will be an alternative to getting detailed fare pricing?

I wasn't aware of this shutdown. The Matrix engine is my favourite by far

 

[serfty]

With Matrix shutting down at the end of the year, what will be an alternative to getting detailed fare pricing?

I wasn't aware of this shutdown. The Matrix engine is my favourite by far

?

As far as I know, only the "On-The-Fly" App is being shut down.

https://matrix.itasoftware.com/

Note for users of OnTheFly:
ITA Software's mobile flight-search app OnTheFly is no longer available and existing installations will no longer work after December 2017. You can still search for flights using ITA's technology here on Matrix. Or try Google Flights on mobile to find the best fares wherever you are.

 

[Danger]

Apologies. Yes, I was thinking of the app.

 

[serfty]

Apologies. Yes, I was thinking of the app.

No worries ... you gave me a fright so I delved into some research.

... all good!

(FWIW, the on the fly app is not very good and will be little loss.)