The Truth About Flight Booking Sites – Do They Really Save You Money?

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Hidden Fees Can Add Up Quickly

While booking flights through online travel agencies and metasearch engines may seem like an easy way to save money, it's important to be aware of the various fees and surcharges that can quickly add up. These hidden costs can ultimately negate any potential savings you thought you were getting.
One of the biggest culprits is baggage fees. Airlines have become increasingly aggressive in charging for even the most basic checked and carry-on bags. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier can charge $50 or more per bag if you don't pre-pay, while legacy airlines like United and American may charge $30 or more. These fees can easily add $100 or more to the cost of a roundtrip flight for a family traveling with bags.
Seat selection is another area where airlines love to nickel and dime passengers. Many carriers now charge extra to select your seat in advance, with fees ranging from $10 to $50 or more per seat. This is especially frustrating for families who want to sit together. Trying to avoid these fees by waiting until check-in is also risky, as the best seats may already be taken.
Onboard services like food, drinks, and entertainment can quickly drive up the total cost of a flight as well. A single meal or cocktail can cost $10 or more, and buying Wi-Fi or streaming entertainment can add another $10-20 to the bill. These smaller expenses add up fast, especially on longer flights.
Then there are the various taxes, fees, and surcharges that are tacked on at the end of the booking process. These can include government-imposed taxes, airport fees, and fuel surcharges set by the airlines. While these are necessary costs of air travel, they're often not included in the initial quoted price, leading to sticker shock at checkout.
Finally, don't forget about potential change and cancellation fees. If you need to modify your flight for any reason, you could be looking at charges of $150 or more per ticket. This is especially problematic for nonrefundable basic economy fares. Suddenly that $200 roundtrip ticket can balloon to $400 or more by the time you've paid all the associated fees.

What else is in this post?

1. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Hidden Fees Can Add Up Quickly
2. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Not All Sites Search Across All Airlines
3. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Third Party Sites Don't Always Have the Latest Deals
4. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Using Multiple Sites May Be Your Best Bet
5. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Booking Direct Isn't Always More Expensive
6. The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Comparison Shopping is Key

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Not All Sites Search Across All Airlines

One common misconception about flight booking sites is that they search across all available airlines, providing a comprehensive view of flight options. However, the reality is quite different. Many flight search engines and online travel agencies (OTAs) have limited airline coverage, often excluding certain carriers from their search results.
For example, Google Flights, a popular metasearch engine, does not include flights from airlines like Allegiant, Frontier, and Southwest in its results. This is because these airlines have chosen not to participate in Google's flight search program, either due to pricing disagreements or a desire to drive direct bookings through their own websites.
Similarly, OTAs like Expedia and Priceline may not feature flights from certain regional or low-cost carriers. This is because these airlines may have direct relationships with customers or prefer to sell tickets through their own channels, rather than paying the commissions charged by third-party booking sites.
The exclusion of specific airlines can have a significant impact on the flight options and pricing that consumers see. By not having access to the full range of available flights, travelers may miss out on opportunities to find the cheapest or most convenient options for their needs.
This is particularly true for budget-conscious travelers, who may be more inclined to seek out flights on low-cost carriers. If these airlines are not included in the search results, the apparent savings on a flight booked through an OTA may be undermined by the availability of a cheaper direct booking.
To mitigate this issue, it's important for travelers to be aware of the limitations of different flight search tools and to cross-check results across multiple platforms. This may involve visiting airline websites directly or using specialized tools like ITA Matrix, which have more comprehensive coverage of the airline industry.

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Third Party Sites Don't Always Have the Latest Deals

The IP address 37.19.212.88 is a public IP address owned by Google LLC. It is associated with the Google Cloud Platform, specifically with the Google Cloud Storage service. This IP address is used as a gateway IP address for Google Cloud Storage, which allows users to store and retrieve data in a cloud-based object storage service. The IP address is also associated with other Google services such as Google Cloud Functions and Google Cloud Run. It is important to note that this IP address is subject to change, and it is recommended to check the current IP address range for Google Cloud services.

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Using Multiple Sites May Be Your Best Bet

While it may seem convenient to search for flights on just one or two sites, looking across multiple booking platforms and metasearch engines can help ensure you find the best deal. Each site may have access to different airline inventory and fares, so casting a wide net increases your chances of discovering hidden gems.

Start by checking both general OTAs like Expedia and Orbitz as well as airfare specialists like CheapOair and Airfarewatchdog. Expand your search to include metasearch sites like Kayak and Skyscanner which aggregate options from hundreds of sources. Don't forget to try airline sites directly too - Southwest and Allegiant flights won't show up on most third party sites.
Consider leveraging both paid and free flight alerts services as well. Sites like Scott's Cheap Flights can email you when mistake fares pop up, while Hopper and Google Flights offer free watchlist features. Set up alerts on multiple sites for the same route to get notified the instant a good deal appears.

Be sure to compare both roundtrip and one-way options in your searches. Sometimes two one-way tickets can be much cheaper than a roundtrip fare. Also look at nearby alternative airports, different travel dates and flight connections to unlock savings. A little flexibility goes a long way.

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Booking Direct Isn't Always More Expensive

One of the common misconceptions about flight booking sites is that booking directly with the airline is always more expensive. While this can sometimes be the case, it's not a hard and fast rule. In fact, there are instances where booking directly with the airline can actually save you money.
One key reason for this is that airlines are increasingly offering special deals and discounts exclusively through their own channels. By booking directly on the airline's website, you may have access to promotional fares, package deals, or loyalty member perks that aren't available on third-party sites. Airlines want to drive more direct bookings, so they often incentivize customers to book this way.
Additionally, airlines can sometimes match or even undercut the prices found on online travel agencies (OTAs). This is especially true for basic economy fares, where OTAs may tack on extra fees that the airline doesn't charge directly. By comparing prices across both the airline's site and OTAs, you may be able to find the absolute lowest fare.
Another factor to consider is flexibility. When you book directly with the airline, you generally have more options for making changes or receiving refunds down the line. OTAs often have stricter policies around modifications and cancellations, which can lead to costly fees. Booking direct gives you a better chance of avoiding these extra charges if your travel plans need to shift.
It's also worth noting that airlines may offer exclusive perks or services to customers who book directly. This could include things like priority boarding, additional loyalty program points, or access to airport lounges. While these extras may not sway your decision on their own, they can provide added value that makes direct booking the better choice.
Of course, the calculus around direct versus OTA booking isn't always black and white. There are situations where OTAs may still offer the best deal, especially for complex itineraries or when taking advantage of special promotions. The key is to shop around and compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure you're getting the absolute best fare for your needs.

The Truth About Flight Booking Sites - Do They Really Save You Money? - Comparison Shopping is Key

When it comes to finding the best prices for flights, a little comparison shopping can go a long way. The reality is that no single flight booking site or airline has a monopoly on the cheapest fares. Prices and availability can vary significantly across different platforms, so taking the time to check multiple options is essential.
Start by searching the major online travel agencies like Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz. These sites aggregate flight options from a wide range of airlines, allowing you to quickly compare prices and itineraries in one place. However, don't stop there. Also check the websites of individual airlines, as they may offer exclusive deals or lower base fares that don't appear on third-party sites.
Metasearch engines like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner can be particularly powerful tools for comparison shopping. These sites scour the internet to find the lowest fares from a vast network of airlines and booking partners. The ability to easily adjust variables like travel dates, number of stops, and airline preferences makes it simple to uncover the best deals.
When conducting your searches, be sure to account for any hidden fees or surcharges that could drive up the total cost. Things like baggage fees, seat selection charges, and onboard amenities can quickly add up. Always compare the final, all-inclusive price rather than just the base fare.
Additionally, don't overlook the value of flexibility. Adjusting your travel dates by a day or two can sometimes unlock significant savings, as can considering nearby airports as alternatives to your preferred departure and arrival points. The more open you can be to creative routing, the better your chances of finding a rock-bottom price.