Bargain Hunting
The "Next Generation" of Internet Search Engine

Comparisons Are Easy

How does SideStep match up with Travelocity? Once you install SideStep, you won't wait long to find out.

The software immediately opens an identical SideStep search whenever you query another search engine. It's a feature that can be turned off if you find it annoying.

Just for fun, I did a search for roundtrip airfares three weeks in advance between Cincinnati and New York JFK. Sidestep came up with 16 flights ranging in price from $225 (US Air) to $1318 (TWA).

Travelocity found eight fares. The lowest: $271 (Northwest). The highest: a mix and match itinerary disaster involving Chicago, Rochester and two airlines for $445.

The same search on Expedia turned up a range from $294 to $602 for 21 flights.

	Want to reserve a room at this elegant address? If you're a budget traveler, you want to make sure your search turns up the cheapest rooms available.

On Cheapfares.com, the range for eight flights was $261 to $857. Unlike Travelocity and Expedia, Cheapfares did not trigger the SideStep window.

Don't attach too much significance to my results. Smart Money.com did a comprehensive study, comparing six sites. SideStep came out first in the "lowest fares" and "best itineraries" categories. Expedia took top honors for "consumer friendliness."

Is Your Search Engine Getting Friendlier?

Expedia searches offer a lot of information about your chosen flight. They'll tell you how long the various segments will take to get you there and back. They provide on-time statistics, too.

Until recently, booking through a search engine often meant sacrificing frequent flier miles. SideStep offers the miles up-front, since they deal directly with the airlines.

But American Express, Expedia and Travelocity now offer registration features allowing users to accrue flier miles.

No one is standing still. They can't afford that luxury.

Not So Friendly

Northwest Airlines recently stopped paying commissions to Travelocity and other search engines. The reaction was swift and predictable.

Travelocity countered with a $10 fee for all Northwest bookings.

That's why that $261 USD "lowest" fare on Travelocity was actually $271. It helps explain why many travelers still prefer the "old fashioned" toll-free telephone call or trip to the travel agent.

Only about a third of all on-line travelers actually book via the Internet these days. If you run a virtual travel service, you're not too happy with that percentage.

That's why search engines are likely to become more friendly in the months to come. You can take advantage of that--if you're aware of what they're doing.

That's why we're here!