Want to take a luxury trip? Booking sites enter the arena

New York

THIRD-PARTY travel booking sites such as Expedia.com and Booking.com are go-tos for travellers in search of wallet-friendly accommodations or deals on packages that include both airfare and a hotel stay. But as sites to book high-end vacations? Not so much - that is, until recently.

Today, these sites and two new search engines - Skylark and Lola - are looking to attract consumers seeking luxury getaways by including prestigious hotels in their inventory and selling discounted packages that combine luxe accommodations with business - or first-class - flights.