We've used all the major "open" online travel websites: Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. They are great for comparison shopping, but its better to use a travel agency if you are planning a trip for a large family or group.

We have also used "blind sites" like Priceline.com. We were very satisfied with the flights, lodging and car rentals of all of them. We saw no differences between the open and blind sites. We have heard good things about Hotwire.com and believe they are worth a look.

All of the travel sites make claims. For example, Orbitz claims to be the Travel Site with the Most Web-Only Rates on the Internet! Priceline and Hotwire.com claim the lowest prices. The January 2004 issue of Consumer Reports cites a Web Watch study that found the latter to be true only about half the time. We suggest you shop all of them and compare prices. Don't delay making a reservation if you do find a good price, as prices and seats change quickly.

The website you ultimately choose depends largely on how flexible your travel plans are and your budget. Take a look at some guidelines on how and when to use online travel websites.