"International Air Booking"

Another one of my "bucket list" trips is the Danube river cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Like the ocean cruise industry, the river cruise industry has been releasing innovative new and improved ships regularly.  A brochure for a wonderfully designed new ship arrived, and I placed a deposit on one of its summer sailings, conditioned on being able to find good flights to and from Europe.

Tired of our domestic carriers, I decided to check flights for one of the overseas airlines that has a reputation for efficient well-executed service. First I researched multiple leg flights from Miami on a travel search engine.  With two stops, itineraries appeared to be 28 to 35 hours each way, and priced at $1,250.  When I went to the dedicated site for the desired international carrier, I found one stop itineraries down to 16 hours for $1,530.  I returned to the site multiple times while drafting through the evening, and then at 2am a $1,350, 13-hour fare appeared!  Bingo! I continued to book it, but before i did I was directed to join the carrier's frequent flyer program.  All of the sections were completed, and I was e-mailed a confirmation of my new membership number.  With this I was supposed to be able to process the reservation.  Unfortunately the site kept not accepting my code, and then would disconnect me so I had to start the whole search and process again!  Meanwhile, each time I tried to continue to process the reservation,  the fare went up!  By 3am it was up to $1,600, and I gave up for the evening!  The next morning, I called the 800 number while driving and 30 minutes later (listening to the tape..."we'll be right with you, but in the meantime if you want immediate service, use our web site!") an agent picked up! She said if I needed help with the site not accepting my log in number (that they had given me!) I could call Tech Service from noon to 5pm weekdays!  Due to computer issues, it took her about 10 more minutes to find the itinerary, and she informed that there would be a $20 fee for not booking online...and the rate she quotes was...$3,800!  "You have got to be kidding...I had $1,350 online last night!  Are you quoting anything else other than economy or are you quoting for two passengers?"..."May I book this reservation for you?!?".   Late that night I went back online, and the site did not require my unaccepted log in number...and after a few minutes, I found the itinerary for $1,410, and I was able to book it!!! 

Lots of persistence is required to book with one of the top rated airlines...and I'm hoping the flying experience is better than the reservations systems!!!