Booking sites

[teelack 9,574]

I have been looking at alternative booking sites. I am not sure what the situation is in other countries but in NZ travel agents apparently get no commission for air travel and surcharge for their "expertise _.

 

There are so many sites like Expedia, Kayak and so forth. My question is are there good, bad, dubious outfits that you would recommend or totally avoid?

 

I would appreciate your feedback.

 

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[Blackwell 288]

My opinion is that it is always best- but not usually cheapest- to book direct with the airline.

Many advantages including seat selection, and greater possibility of refund when things go wrong.

Use Skyscanner, look at the “deals” then look at the airline site, and make informed decisions.

Travel agents will allow the possibility of “mix and match”, but be aware if they go broke, your travel tickets become worthless. The larger travel sites usually direct you to a subcontractor, without informing you.

[forcebwithu 4,834]

I only using booking sites (esky.com and google.com/travel/flights) to find flights in the price range I'm willing to pay. I then book directly with the airline. If things go pear shape on my flight, I'm in a much better position to get help on rebooking by dealing direct with the airline.

[tallguy 1,467]

12 minutes ago, Blackwell said:

My opinion is that it is always best- but not usually cheapest- to book direct with the airline.

 

 

Many advantages including seat selection, and greater possibility of refund when things go wrong.

 

 

Use Skyscanner, look at the “deals” then look at the airline site, and make informed decisions.

 

 

Travel agents will allow the possibility of “mix and match”, but be aware if they go broke, your travel tickets become worthless. The larger travel sites usually direct you to a subcontractor, without informing you.

 

 

I'm also a fan of booking direct with the airline for the reasons stated above. It's normally only a few pounds more expensive than the booking sites for the same itinerary.

I haven't used the booking sites for years other than to compare a range of prices on different airlines.

[teelack 9,574]

Thanks for the replies so far. Very interesting and all on the same page

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[Olded 239]

I always use CheapOair, never had a problem with them and if you have a question and you call them you allows get someone that you can understand what there saying.

[yselmike 382]

I only book direct with the airlines,mainly for peace of mind,The reviews of the agents are universally dire,that always puts me of.

[la8rat 990]

When I was booking my flight back to the UK in June I tried using the Etihad site.. from what I could see the prices were no better than Skyscanner and for the life in me I could not get it to display price.s in GBP.. the site seemed hell bent on Thai baht.

I've now found I get the best prices on booking.com a site I used to avoid but now because of using it for rooms over the last 5 months I seem to get a nice little discount.

[TheFiend 1,181]

I've been booking direct with Qatar for about the last 4 years, and had no problem getting a full refund when COVID hit, also they extended the validity of my Q Points and Air-miles too because of Covid...... and thanks to the number of trips I've made since Thailand re-opened I hit Gold status on my last trip!!!

Just booked again direct with Qatar, using cash+air-miles to get discount on the fares.

 

[jacko 8,807]

I had a couple of issues with using agents to book flights... they don't want to give refunds and it required persistence. Even when T&C cover it. You get bounced between them and the airline. So now I also do as many here have posted..... look at prices on a scraper like Skyscanner then book with the airline. The exception is when I want a hotel room in town where Agoda does the job....

[Jon77 7]

In my experience I find it better to book directly with airline. Sometimes airlines will not honor refunds, miles etc from third party booking sites

[sailingbill 1,017]

Overwhelmingly i book directly with the Hotel or Airline. No price difference at least from American sites.  Yes booking sites work fine most of the time but when they dont i could tell the stories, but you can imagine.  Go over to Flyertalk forum to read some of the difficulties. The airline gate agents are delighted you booked with an agency if it goes tits up. Oh , tight ,missed connection, call Expedia or whoever.

[TheFiend 1,181]

I posted previously about always booking direct with the airline, but for my upcoming trip in November Bangkok Airways prices were ridiculous for the flight we use flying up to Sukhothai and only showing the top price tickets available, the price quoted was more than double what we normally pay!!!, Searched on Skyscanner and ended up booking through booking.com as the fare they quoted was half the price than booking via Bangkok airways...... Within minutes booking was confirmed and was able to access the booking via the Bangkok airways website....