Travelers who want to book a flight online will find fewer options at present as two of the country's biggest airlines have stripped their fares from some travel sites.

Those seeking to fly on American Airlines can no longer book trips from Orbitz as of Dec. 21, while Delta stopped allowing three websites like OneTravel. com, CheapOAir. com, and BookIt. com from listing its flights after Dec. 17.

It's a step that more airlines may follow in a bid to reduce costs, for promoting their brand and increase their ability to sell aspects of the travel experience that boost the bottom line, as per some travel experts opinion. But some industry observers are concerned about the reduction of booking outlets that could ultimately consumers suffer for finding the best deal.

George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog. com. stated, that more computer mousework will be needed. What many customers do not realize is that the millions of dollars of customers get saved by online travel agencies a year not just by allowing them to quickly compare fares but also by making them aware of the fact that at times it is cheaper to fly out on one airline and back on another.

Delta stated that its main objectives are to build up the brand loyalty and keep a more direct connection to its customers.

Glen Hauenstein, one of the Delta executive vice presidents stated that they look at it similar to an Apple Store vs. Best Buy in a recent presentation to investors. One can buy components or Apple products at both, but one's experience in an Apple Store is obviously quite different than that of a Best Buy store.

American stated that it's not interested in reducing the number of outside outlets that sell its flights. On the contrary, it wants Orbitz to take up a technology system that informs fliers about the ever-growing collection of services the airline offers for a fee, such as priority boarding, which bring the airline over a sum of one billion dollars billion a year in extra revenue.