Subject: Eaasy Sabre, OAG, and other on-line airline information FAQ
Supersedes: <sabre-199613@iecc.com>
Date: 7 Apr 1996 06:00:01 -0400
Summary: access to on-line airline info and travel agents (weekly)


* Is this FAQ available on the WWW?

Yes, at http://iecc.com/airline/airinfo.html, and perhaps at mirror sites.
Anyone is welcome to mirror the HTML version of this FAQ but please let me
know by e-mail <johnl@iecc.com> so I can tell you when there are updated
versions.

* Is there a way to get airline schedules on the Internet for free?

Yes, finally, but the longer answer is more complicated. See below.

* Is there a way to get airline schedules on the Internet if I pay for it?

Definitely. See below.

* What's available for free?

There are now several Internet gateways to airline CRS (computer reservation
systems.)

Travelocity (http://www.travelocity.com) is the new Web interface to AMR's
Sabre system. It's still pretty buggy but shows promise. The underlying data
are the same as Easy Sabre and reservations made on one show up on the other.
You need to provide a credit card number to make reservations, but they won't
charge you until you tell them to. Tickets can be issued by mail or through
any Sabre travel agent. I find it considerably slower and less flexible than
the old line at at time Eaasy interface (below), but it's prettier. There is
also a great deal of travel destination information of variable usefulness.

PC Travel (http://www.pctravel.com) is an on-line travel agency that lets you
connect via telnet or WWW, check fares and schedules, and make reservations.
Credit card number required to make reservations, but they won't issue tickets
or charge you until you specifically say to do so. Data come from APOLLO, the
United Airlines reservation system. Tickets are issued through PC Travel,
paying with a credit card, generally delivered the next day by FedEx. I find
the telnet version relatively clunky compared to Eaasy Sabre, but considering
that it's free, it's fine. You can also telnet to pctravel.com.

Internet Travel Network (http://www.itn.net) is a new WWW-based flight booking
system. You make reservations, using Apollo, which are then ticketed by any
one of a long list of participating travel agencies. Users pay nothing,
agencies pay $3/ticket. I found it kind of hard to use, for example a lot of
parameters are only found on your profile page so you have to go in there if
you, e.g., want to reserve aisle rather than window. It often has trouble
finding itineraries, for one I tried it found two, while Eaasy found over a
dozen. Even so, if the agency you use participates, it's worth using, and
again it's hard to fault the price.

System One (http://www.sys1.com/), which started a long time ago as Eastern
Airlines' reservation system but has now grown into an enormous international
CRS, has a bunch of attractive web pages. They offer schedule and price info
for flights among large US cities. (There's a fixed list of cities, not
including Ithaca NY which is where I fly from. Boo.) No booking yet, they say
to call your agent. They say they'll have more cities, rental cars, booking,
and other features on-line in early '96.

The French Minitel system has an Internet gateway, and one of services they
offer in their free demo is airline schedules and fares. Telnet to minitel.fr
(telnet:minitel.fr) and log in as minitel, then choose item 8 from the menu to
go to the demo. It looks really awful (though the data are fine) because
Minitel is designed for teletex terminals. You can FTP free teletex terminal
emulators for Windows and Macs from ftp.minitel.fr. The prompts and info are
in French, and the prices are in French Francs. This is a demo; if you use it
much you should sign up for an account.

TISS (http://www.tiss.com) is an online database in Germany with current
airfares provided by a group of consolidators. They offer departures from
Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore and Switzerland, and plan to add other
countries soon. They claim the prices they offer are the best available.

The Federal Travel Directory (http://www.xmission.com/~menus/ftd/flights.htm)
has a database of U.S. government fares.

* What other reservation systems are available?

There are four computer reservation systems available to the general public:

EAASY SABRE: Run by American Airlines, lets you check fares and schedules on
all airlines with computerized reservations (all but the most obscure), and
make reservations for yourself and others. Tickets can be sent by mail, issued
by airlines at the airport or city ticket offices, or by any travel agent with
a Sabre terminal. (Note: Sabre doesn't check for the ticket by mail option
whether there's actually time to get you the tickets. I don't recommend it.)
You can keep a lot of profile info on-line such as frequent flyer numbers and
meal and seat preferences which are automatically inserted into reservations
you make for yourself. Your ID can be your AAdvantage frequent flyer number.
Official Recreation Guide available at extra cost. Line oriented command
language, e.g. to ask for flights from Boston to San Francisco on July 4
around noon:

/AIR,BOS,SFO,4JUL,1200

It will prompt you field by field if you don't know all the parameters.

Prodigy has its own interface to Eaasy which is alleged to be easier to use
but provides only a subset of the functionality.

Eaasy uses the same underlying system as Travelocity, above.

TRAVELSHOPPER: Run by Worldspan (formerly PARS), which is Delta, Northwest and
TWA, similar features to Eaasy. There are some features not available on Eaasy
such as open date tickets. Same ticketing options as Eaasy, but fewer agents
have Worldspan terminals. No travel club, less detailed profile. Currently
only available on Compuserve via CIM interface, rumors say it may be going
away or merging with another system. They have an attractive web site
(http://www.worldspan.com) with, as far as I can tell, no travel information
at all.

UNITED CONNECTION: New interface to United's Apollo system available on
Compuserve. I find it inferior to Sabre, less complete flight info (no
Southwest flights) and doesn't find as many itineraries. Your ID is your
milage plus number, non-members can join on-line. No car or hotel info yet.
More reports from users are are welcome.

ON-LINE OFFICIAL AIRLINE GUIDE: Similar data and commands to the other ones.
It used to be better than the airline-operated systems, but now everyone's
updated in near real-time. Lots of other random stuff, e.g. frequent flyer
newsletter and flight departure and arrival info (they can show you the
contents of the flight info TV screens from some airports.) Airlines and a few
agencies can issue tickets.

* Are these the same systems that travel agents use?

The underlying data are the same, but the interface is different. Some data
are visible to agents, but not to these systems. A good way to work is to make
the best reservation you can on-line, then call a travel agent, tell him what
you've reserved, and see if he can do better.

* How do I get access to them?

Eaasy, United, and Travelshopper are only available via gateway systems, OAG
directly or via gateways.

Eaasy Sabre: GEnie, Compuserve, Delphi, Prodigy, AOL, eWorld
Travelshopper: Compuserve, must use CIM
United: Compuserve, must use CIM
OAG: Direct subscription, Delphi, Compuserve, GEnie, Dow Jones News Retrieval,
AT&T InterSpan.

Telnet to Delphi: delphi.com, no surcharge.
Telnet to OAG: oag.com, no surcharge.
Telnet to Compuserve: compuserve.com, hostname CIS.
AOL: 2.0 version of their software speaks WinSock. FTP from FTP.AOL.COM.

Compuserve has a front-end program called CIM which runs under Windows and is
required for Apollo Connection and Travelshopper. The latest version works
both with traditional dial-in access and via WinSock. You can download it from
their new WWW page (http://www.compuserve.com).

For dial-in access, Delphi is on Sprintnet and Tymnet, no surcharge nights and
weekends. Compuserve has its own extensive network, or is available via
Sprintnet at a surcharge. OAG is on Sprintnet and Tymnet, no surcharge. AOL is
on Sprintnet and Tymnet, no surcharge.

* How much do they cost?

Eaasy, United, and Travelshopper are available at the base rate for all of the
on-line services that offer them except for Prodigy.

Delphi offers a five-hour free trial when you sign up; you can use PARS and
Eaasy during that time. AOL also usually offers a free trial period.

Gateway systems charge a substantial surcharge for the OAG, e.g. Delphi
charges 59 cents/min peak, 42 cents/min off-peak. A direct subscription to the
OAG is much cheaper, per-minute rates are lower than the surcharge. Call
800-323-4000, and ask for a 15 day free trial, $25 signup if you continue. If
you subscribe directly, the OAG waives session charges if you make or cancel a
reservation during the session. The OAG has no monthly minimum, which is good
for occasional users.

* Is there information directly from the airlines?

Several airlines are on the World Wide Web. For most of them you need a
browser that supports forms, such as Netscape, or Mosaic. There's an index of
most of them at:

http://www.yahoo.com/Business/Corporations/Travel/Airlines

These airlines have booking information available; see the Yahoo page for lots
of others of airline web pages with other info.

Alaska Airlines (//http://www.alaska-air.com/) has a web site with
attractively retro graphics with flight info, reservations, and ticketing.

Canadian Airlines (http://www.cdnair.ca) has schedule info.

Continental (http://www.flycontinental.com) has bare-bones schedule info, just
direct flights, not even connections.

Delta (http://www.delta-air.com) has limited schedule info.

El Al (http://www.elal.co.il) has U.S. schedules at and some US-oriented
package info.

Manx Airlines (http://www.manx-airlines.com) has schedule info.

Southwest Airlines (http://www.iflyswa.com) has a web page at with schedules
and fares. Rumors say they'll allow booking in the near future.


* What travel agents and clubs are available?

Eaasy Sabre offers Traveller's Access, run by Comp-U-Card which for $49/yr
rebates 5% on air, hotel, and car rentals for you and family members that
they've ticketed for you and family members when you send in receipts. In my
experience, their agents are not very good.

Travel-by-Modem <travel@delphi.com>, is run by a small company in Belmont,
Mass., primary access via Delphi, but Internet e-mail is fine, too. Costs
$39/yr, sliding rebate on tickets depending on price and how delivered.
Rebates mailed automatically quarterly. Lots of useful coupons and discounts.
That's the agency I usually use. Although they have a national clientele,
they're 1/2 mile from where I used to live, which may bias me somewhat.

The Travel Source (http://www.tiac.net/users/longleyr/travel.html) is a
collection of one of a kind travel resources on the WWW. This is a free
service but you have to be the first of your kind.

* Are there other on-line agents?

There's lots of them.

NOTE: All of the descriptions below are edited from info provided by the
agencies themselves. There are many resources other than travel agents
available on the net, as well, but they're not listed here.

European Travel <jwithers@slip.net> specialists in individual travel to Europe
in all its aspects: hotels, tours, consolidator tickets, rail passes, car
rental, cruises. Extensive collection of hotel and tour brochures. I rented a
cottage in France through them, service was good.

Compass Point Travel <bert@cptravel.com> is a full service agency that
welcomes Internet customers.

Stephanie Alford <lunisea@netcom.com> is a full service travel agent who
welcomes Internet customers.

Edward Hasbrouck <ehasbrouck@igc.apc.org> at Travel Time, San Francisco
around-the-world specialists; also other discounted international tickets; NOT
a general-purpose, corporate, or domestic travel agency.

Jason Chase <jchase@netcom.com> represents Hotels Plus which offers discounted
hotels world wide and discounted rental cars in Euurope. Internet users get a
10% discount. Web page (file://ftp.netcom.com/pub/jchase/html/info.html).

Lloyd Colston <lloyd.colston@mgmtsys.com> is an outside sales agent for
Integra Travel in Cincinnati, OH. The agency is a general travel agency which
offers complete service for both domestic and international trips.

Germantown Travel <airtkts@airtravel.com> in Germantown Md is a full service
airline ticket agency suppling information and discounted tickets for domestic
and international travel.

Travel World <OXFORDU@vax1.bemidji.msus.edu> is a full-service Carlson Travel
Network Agency also offering tours and colsolidator tickets. Prices are
competitive.

Leigh Ann Hildebrand-Chupp <inanna@netcom.com> is an outside agent with
Ambassador World Travel in Atlanta, specializing in travel for special
interest groups, including the leather community. She offers a free bi-weekly
email travel newsletter.

Dave Rose at Planet Travel <dpuddest@morgan.ucs.mun.ca> is a full service
travel agency for the Gay and Lesbian community.

Mike Espinosa <maluku@netcom.com> is a travel outfitter, specializing in trips
to south and southeast Asia, including consolidator tickets for Asian
airlines.

Roberto Torrini of Interpro Travel Service <interpro@netcom.com> of Laguna
Niguel, CA is a full service bilingual agency specializing in trips and tours
to Italy for individuals, families, and groups.

Jack Diem <jdiem@netcom.com> at Blue Skies Travel Agency, in Brea, CA. He
specializes in Mexico and the Pacific.

CTM Travel <ctm-trav@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us> in Coral Springs FL welcomes
business from the Internet.

AESU Travel in Baltimore <aesu@charm.net> operates tours to Europe for 18-35
year olds and is also airticket consolidators (Europe only). Web page
(http://www.charm.net/~aesu/).

Travel Network <travlnet@usa.net> is a full service agency offering their own
frequent flyer program.

Coastliners, <coastlin@orange.digex.net> full service WORLDSPAN agency in
Anaheim, Calif. has heavily discounted cruises, and discounted air programs
from Calif. across the US.

JonesTravel <prl@netcom.com> has a WWW home page
(http;//www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~iew/index.html) with info on tours to Las Vegas
and other destinations.

Manny Segal at Vacation Partners <jdea73a@prodigy.com> runs a service that
finds compatible travel mates for single travelers, for companionship and to
avoid the dreaded single supplement.

World Beat Travel <world_beat@travelcom.com> is a full service multilingual
agency in Montreal.

Bill Byrnes <William144@aol.com> author of "Airfare Secrets" specializes in
high value Round the World, long haul and missionary travel. Offshore
ticketing from Euro and Asian consolidators.

Torcaza Trails <rdrake@ing.ula.ve> offer a trek in the Andes and other
ecotour/adventure travel opportunities in Venezuela. Web page
(http://venezuela.mit.edu/toursim/torcaza/torcaza1.html).

Scott Royce <scott31@delphi.com> runs B&B Bookings, a bed and breakfast
reservation service concentrating on Southeastern Connecticut.

Genie Travel Services Inc. <info@genietravel.com> specializes in discounted
international and domestic airline tickets for Internet customers. For prices,
see their web page (http://www.genietravel.com), e-mail, or call 800-Oh-Genie!

Endeavour Travel <Endeavour@Anzac.com> is a travel agency specialising in NZ
and Australian travel, staffed in large part by Aussies and Kiwis. Web pages
(http://www.anzac.com/endvr/endvr.htm). I got Circle Pacific tickets from
them, service was decent.

Marla Baer-Peckham <marla@iquest.com> of Cornucopia First Class Travel is a
full-service travel agency. Web page (http://iquest.com/~marla).

Kenneth Rishty <kool-ken@escape.com> is with Vintage Travel in downtown
Manhattan in New York City. He welcomes clients for either corporate or
leisure travel, and is also knowledgeable about Gay and Lesbian travel.

Maryann Novajosky <WTRW38A@prodigy.com> publishes a free bi-weekly e-mail
newsletter of discounted cruise vacation specials and cruise-related news.

Uniglobe GEM Travel <gary@uniglobe-gem.com> or Full service agency, WWW site (
http://www.uniglobe-gem.com/) with leisure info and travel request forms. Our
goal is not to find the cheapest product, but the best value for money.

Travel Incorporated <ffbn27b@prodigy.com> publishes a weekly newsletter
listing midwest departures of discounted charter programs to the Caribbean &
Mexico. The free listing can be obtained by e-mail
<midwest.departures@reply.net>.

The Travel Solution <tsolution@aol.com> specializes in V.I.P service to the
affluent traveler. Their goal is to show you how to recieve value & luxury for
the vacation you've earned.

Mark Greenstein <Mark_Greenstein@pop.com> is a tour operator who specializes
in skiing, particularly helicopter and snowcat skiing, and offers well-priced
trips to the Rockies and the Sierras.

High Adventure Travel <airtreks@highadv.com> has a WWW site (
http://www.highadv.com) focused on Around-the-World airfares and adventures.
They have considerable personal experience in Africa and the Himalayas.

Bruce Duck <bruced@world.net> at Voyager Travel, Melbourne Australia
Specialist in business international travel to/from Australia. Additional 1%
frequent buyer discount on the best prices around for Internet clients.

European Traveler,Inc. <usdirect@wizard.com> specializes in individual
vacations to Europe. Full colour brochure "EURO CITY TRIPS" available on
request offers 2-3-5 and 7 days packages in up to 40 cities all over Europe.

Uniglobe Tartan Travel <utartan@blvl.igc.net>, full service agency in
Belleville, Ontario, Canada welcomes Internet clients--service available in
English and French. Owner, Colette, knowledgeable on all things Irish.

Ottawa travel <marywife@trytel.on.ca> service in french.

Association of Business Travellers <abt1@attmail.com> offers the international
traveller a hotel reservation service, specials at top class hotels,
restaurants, service office facilities, lost lugage tracing, etc. Web
page://www.hk.linkage.net/markets/abt/ (.)

The Air Line <air-line@dttravel.demon.co.uk> offer discounted flights,
holidays and ferries for travel from the UK. Details and a quotation form can
be found at their web page (http://www.demon.co.uk/csl/air-line/).

Adventure Tours & Travel <advtours@magna.com.au> in the beachside suburb of
Coogee, Sydney, Oz. All sorts of adv activities in Oz, NZ & other bits of this
planet. Life should not be dull...get out there and do it!!

Zak Travel <zak@dircon.co.uk> is a British discount flight agency specialising
in flights to Europe and worldwide. We offer the cheapest scheduled and
charter flights and offer a no-obligation flight reservation service.

Roger Chung-Wee <roger@concord-world-travel.co.uk> of Concord World Travel,
London, arranges tailor-made travel worldwide at sensible prices: tours,
flights, accommodation, car hire, cruises. For departures from Britain.

Abraham Demissie <leisure@teleport.com> in Portland, OR is an outside agent
with LeisuretymeTravel. Specializing on international and domestic discount
airfare cruise, hotel, car and packages for family or group travel.

Visit US, Inc. <Stevio@ix.netcom.com> Receptive Tour Operator specializing in
South and Central Florida. We handle all your group needs.

Andrew Vass Travel <si@pop.ozonline.com.au> (Sydney Australia) specialist in
discount airfares from Australia to the World. Ph: +61 2 380 5000 Fax: +61 2
331 4199.

Stephen P. Aleksza <travelink@pobox.com> with Travelink on the shores of
beautiful Bamber Lake in Whiting NJ specializes in cruises and vacation
packages. Web page (http://www.eclipse.net/~vacation/travlk.htm).

Marc-Andre Lalande <lalandem@nash.pubnix.net> at Voyages Vacances Tourisme in
Montreal specializes in incoming and outgoing tourism, leisure and corporate
travel from all over the world. Affiliated with wholesaler Groupe Voyages
Quebec.

Amcan Travel <amcan@netcom.com> is a full range travel agency on net since
1993. Web page (http://www.halcyon.com/amcan/welcome.html.)

Global Adventures <mikem@globaladventures.com> custom eco-sensitive travel for
the adventurous and active traveler to Australia & Southern Africa, iincluding
golf, whale shark diving, and Botswana photo safari.

Cruisin <longleyr@tiac.net> The first exclusively on line cruise only agency -
1-800-MYSAILS. Web page (http://www.crocker.com/cruisin).

Island Dreams Tours & Travel <info@islandream.com> specializes in scuba
diving, snorkeling, and world-wide adventure travel. Web page
(http://www.islandream.com/island/index.htm) with a broad range of information
of interest to scuba divers and international travelers.

Web-ers Travel Service <Mogyweb@aol.com> specializes in travel specials for
clubs, retired communities and other large groups, and has great prices on
international air and cruises. Web page (http://transport.com/~rose/web-ers)
with specials.

Craig Russell <FHTT72A@prodigy.com> at Sterling Travel is a full service
travel agency which also specializes in discount travel, cruises, disney
packages and Flordia and caribbean vacations.

Rozovaya Panthera JSC <ppavv@redline.ru> in Moscow, Russia. Specializing in
trips and tours to Russia for individuals and groups. Russian visas, hotel
reservation, V.I.P and business services.

Meet the People provides small-group and private-charter day tours for
international visitors to Sydney, Australia. Their web page
(http://www.meetoz.com.au/g_day) has links and other visitor info.

Bill Welk <Bill@Lodging1.com> of Vacation Connection operate a lodging
reservation service in Oshkosh, Wi. and serve many special events organizers
by providing free use of our toll free phone numbers for information and
lodging connections. Web page (http://www.atw.fullfeed.com/~dadvanc/).

For 16 years, Eric Fenster <efenster@igc.apc.org> has organized affordable
study trips to Moscow to examine political and economic change in Russia
first-hand. All adults welcome.

David Debs <debsd@mail.firn.edu> is an outside agent who specializes in
student group travel to Europe and very inexpensive domestic and international
air reservations

Jerry Johnson <jerry@cucruising.com> at AEA Credit Union travel department has
info on smaller carriers (http://www.cucruising.com/cu) and can offer 25% off
almost all TWA tickets.

Jimmy Georgiadis <rextrvl@generation.net>, Montreal, Que., has 45 years of
experience with travel to the land of the Gods - GREECE. "If it's Greece, we
have it". Can arrange, hotels, car rentals, yacht rentals, tours.

Rob Lynx <rob.lynx@colorado.net> is a ski travel wholesaler that sells ski
packages at all ski resorts in North America and Europe.

Pavlus Travel <AirSaver@aol.com> in Albuquerque NM offers 25% off fares on a
major US carrier as well as other discount tickets, cruises, and packages.

Bagwis Travel & Tours Inc. <bagwistt@dv.weblinq.com> in Davao, Philippines.
specializes in international travel & local tours of the beautiful white sand
beaches in Mindanao. especially Pearl farm, a must for all tourists

OnlineTravel <online@eurorail.com> offers European railpasses, Eurail travel,
and the Chunnel channel tunnel, with planning maps, car rental and discount
air fares. Web page (http://www.eurorail.com).

David Peters <NMQU98A@prodigy.com> in southern California offers Overseas
Discount Flights from the US to Europe, Asia, South America, etc. Most apply
frequent flyer miles.

Park'N Ticket Travel <sonny@photobooks.atdc.gatech.edu> located in Atlanta GA,
specializes in Business Travel. We have a 24 hour travel agency as well as a
1,250 car parking facility with a 24 hour shuttle service. Our agency number
is 1-800-443-5437.

Paul Foley <pfoley@his.com>, at Passport Executive Travel of Alexandria, VA, a
full-service agency, CLIA, and IGTA, specializes in Gay and Lesbian Travel,
but handles all sorts of travel. Web page
(http://www.prairienet.org/business/travex/homepage.html$.)

The Travel Experts <travex@prairienet.org> in Champaign, Illinois is a full
service agency with a special emphasis in Caribbean destinations and the UK,
and have expertise in Israel and the Middle East. Web page
(http://www.prairienet.org/business/travex/homepage.html).

Cyber Air Broker <philt@world.net>, Sydney, Australia, offers discounted
airfares worldwide. Free internet access for travelers in Sydney. Web page
(http://www.airdiscounter.com), also separate web pages for offices in Manila
(http://www.airdiscounter.com/ph) and Auckland
(http://www.airdiscounter.com/nz).

Lucky Travel <lucky@batelco.com.bh> in Bahrain offers best rates from the
Arabian Gulf to all over the world, also arranges tours to US and far east.

Susan Mitchell <tolitasue@aol.com> at Travel Services in San Diego (800
435-6659) is a Honeymoon and Family vacation Specialist, with a Honeymoon
Registry (similar to Bridal Registry) for honeymoon travel.

NOTE: If you're a travel agent and would like to be listed, drop me a note and
I'll add you. Please make my life easier by e-mailing me a three-line or so
description in the style above. Thanks.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not a travel agent, just an interested traveller. Everything
I know about on-line travel info is in this FAQ. Don't write or call me asking
for fare quotes, packages, or any other travel agent info, because I don't
have it.
-- 
John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869
johnl@iecc.com "Space aliens are stealing American jobs." - Stanford econ prof
