C.W.
I only book directly with the airlines...if something goes wrong, you will be helped out. I have been a loyal United flyer for years but I needed to get to Orlando from Los Angeles to Orlando eight weeks ago. Through United/Continental (hate the merger) the price was $880, through Southwest it was $341. I could not justify the other price and Southwest was actually pretty nice. I would never use a discount travel site unless being bumped fits into your schedule, not having the ability to deal with the airlines directly if fine with you and you REALLY like the bad seats.