Air Fares: Expedia vs. Hotwire

More fun and games with air fares to Oslo, comparing prices on Expedia vs. Hotwire. All examples assume a 7/15/05 departure & 7/31/05 return:

Departing Minneapolis (MSP):

• Expedia -- $984.92 (Iceland Air)
• Hotwire -- $914.00 (brand X)
• Savings -- $71

Departing Los Angeles:

• Expedia -- $1162 (Lufthansa, departs LAX)
• Hotwire -- $1080 (brand X, departs SNA)
• Savings -- $82

Departing Seattle (SEA):

• Expedia -- $1102 (Northwest)
• Hotwire -- $993 (brand X)
• Savings -- $109

Departing Chicago (ORD):

• Expedia -- $1,074.52 (US Airways/Iceland Air/Northwest)
• Hotwire -- $859 (brand X)
• Savings -- $216

Departing Atlanta (ATL):

• Expedia -- $1156 (United)
• Hotwire -- $876 (brand X)
• Savings -- $280

Departing Newark (NEW):

• Expedia -- $941.72 (Continental)
• Hotwire -- $770 (brand X)
• Savings -- $172

Hotwire is Expedia's business partner. You can do your search on Expedia's web site and then, while you're looking at the results, Expedia offers a link that opens an identical Hotwire search in a different window. The catch? With Hotwire you don't know the exact itinerary until after you have purchased the tickets.

However, in the examples above, you could save up to $280 per ticket by purchasing through Hotwire instead of Expedia. That's enough kroner to buy a lot of varme pølser.

Remember that air fares can change daily (or faster). There is no guarantee that what I'm posting here will be available tomorrow.