Off you go with Opodo (opodo.com)

Member Name: Zahooga

Product:	opodo.com
Date:	06/04/02 (218 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great value flights, Well designed user interface, Slick connectivity with airline systems

Disadvantages: Can be slow when busy

Opodo is the new online travel service backed by a number of European Airlines, including British Airways. Like it's more established competitors Expedia and Travelocity, it finds flights, hotels and car hire from the best deals on the market. Additionally Opodo negotiates special rates with providers, which makes it prices reasonably competitive.

The interface is very straightforward, and being owned by the airlines, it naturally has a "fast flight finder" from the front page.

Flight prices on Opodo are very competitive. I recently booked a return flight from London to Edinburgh, using Opodo, for £57 return! The flight is a scheduled British Airways flight, and the fare was cheaper than that on offer by Expedia, Travelocity, my regular travel agent, and by the likes of Go and Easyjet.

One great feature of Opodo is that if you select preferred flight times, it will actually take this into account when finding flights (unlike Expedia which asks for the information and then ignores it completely!)

Also unlike Travelocity, you don't have to register just to search for fares.

The booking process is pretty straightforward, and if you haven't already registered, it will offer you the chance to do so, without forcing you round endless loops of screens.

Opodo does prefer e-tickets (as it is cheaper) but will issue a paper ticket if you wish.

If you are a member of a frequent flyer programme it will capture your membership details and pass them onto the airline - within minutes of booking my flights, I was able to confirm them on the British Airways Executive Club website - very slick!

You receive a confirmation e-mail confirming booking details and then written confirmation by mail.

All in all, I'm impressed with Opodo - it may be a late entrant to the online travel market, but the site is well thought out, and most importantly has great deals available!

Summary: