Flight Comparison Websites
Discussion
I'm looking to book a flight to Thailand, probably with EVA Air.
Usually, I'd just book direct with the airline, but I can see a saving of a few hundred pounds if you go via a flight comparison site such as BudgetAir or Skyscanner.
Is there a catch with these sites? My concern is really around refunds. If I book direct with EVA Air I can see it costs $250 to cancel a £3k business class ticket, but trying to read the same terms and conditions on BudgetAir or Skyscanner just presents me with a wall of text and not a single paragraph insight.
Are these sites legitimate or should they be avoided?
Usually, I'd just book direct with the airline, but I can see a saving of a few hundred pounds if you go via a flight comparison site such as BudgetAir or Skyscanner.
Is there a catch with these sites? My concern is really around refunds. If I book direct with EVA Air I can see it costs $250 to cancel a £3k business class ticket, but trying to read the same terms and conditions on BudgetAir or Skyscanner just presents me with a wall of text and not a single paragraph insight.
Are these sites legitimate or should they be avoided?
I've always advised booking direct if the cost is comparable, but when it was £700 direct vs £480 via BudgetAir I used them - and there wasn't a whole lot of difference.
I accept that should things have gone wrong I'd likely find myself in a world of pain, but knowing the trip wouldn't be cancelled and that I paid with a credit card (for Section 75 protection) I felt fairly confident.
All went smoothly.
I accept that should things have gone wrong I'd likely find myself in a world of pain, but knowing the trip wouldn't be cancelled and that I paid with a credit card (for Section 75 protection) I felt fairly confident.
All went smoothly.
I've used Skyscanner loads of times.
I've only had an issue once where my flight time was moved forward and the booking agent didn't inform me. I missed the flight and had to pay a fee to move the flight to the next day.
It wasn't the fault of Skyscanner or the airline, it was the agent selling the tickets (a high street name). The airline informed the agent, but they didn't pass it on to me.
If I'd gone direct to the airline they would have informed me themselves
I've only had an issue once where my flight time was moved forward and the booking agent didn't inform me. I missed the flight and had to pay a fee to move the flight to the next day.
It wasn't the fault of Skyscanner or the airline, it was the agent selling the tickets (a high street name). The airline informed the agent, but they didn't pass it on to me.
If I'd gone direct to the airline they would have informed me themselves
I’ve used Skyscanner loads in the past too, useful to get a quick rough idea of flight options and costs.
Skyscanner list prices from agents and direct from the airline. Going through an agent can usually save a few quid, and I’ve been happy to do this every time, until recently. They are fine and well set up to do bookings, but where the agents fall down massively imho is when you need to cancel or change a booking. They are a total nightmare to get through to and even when you do, you are cut off, have difficulty communicating over a poor line etc etc.
I had a recent booking with an agent to fly Qatar airways, then along came Omicron and South Africa was back on the red list. Trying to get through to them to refund / change anything was painful. Qatar don’t want to know and refer you to the agent. I’ve had the same recently again, with Virgin Atlantic changing schedule meaning I would miss a connection. Virgin don’t want to know, speak to the agent. Took me a week of constant effort to speak to someone without getting cut off…. Still not resolved yet…. I’ve rebooked with another airline, paying more to book direct.
Whether the airline will respond better when things go wrong is up for debate, Covid seems to be an excuse for many service industry companies to provide less than useless service….
Skyscanner list prices from agents and direct from the airline. Going through an agent can usually save a few quid, and I’ve been happy to do this every time, until recently. They are fine and well set up to do bookings, but where the agents fall down massively imho is when you need to cancel or change a booking. They are a total nightmare to get through to and even when you do, you are cut off, have difficulty communicating over a poor line etc etc.
I had a recent booking with an agent to fly Qatar airways, then along came Omicron and South Africa was back on the red list. Trying to get through to them to refund / change anything was painful. Qatar don’t want to know and refer you to the agent. I’ve had the same recently again, with Virgin Atlantic changing schedule meaning I would miss a connection. Virgin don’t want to know, speak to the agent. Took me a week of constant effort to speak to someone without getting cut off…. Still not resolved yet…. I’ve rebooked with another airline, paying more to book direct.
Whether the airline will respond better when things go wrong is up for debate, Covid seems to be an excuse for many service industry companies to provide less than useless service….
Do be careful with comparison sites - you might find they offer the lowest cost tickets with no luggage, seat booking etc.
As an example, BA have economy, economy plus (bags and seat includes).
In the case of flight schedule changes - if you book via a TA you will need to contact them for support. The airlines force you this route.
Personally I always book direct with the airlines.
As an example, BA have economy, economy plus (bags and seat includes).
In the case of flight schedule changes - if you book via a TA you will need to contact them for support. The airlines force you this route.
Personally I always book direct with the airlines.
I religiously used to book everything via the cheapest agent on Kayak or Skyscanner.
When covid hit 90% of the agents refused to give refunds and objected to reversed transactions via credit cards and I ended up having to pursue the monies via my travel insurer which wasn't fully successful and incurred excesses etc.
I only ever book with the airline now, and always on a flexible rate - yes it costs more but that mindfulness is worth it IMO
When covid hit 90% of the agents refused to give refunds and objected to reversed transactions via credit cards and I ended up having to pursue the monies via my travel insurer which wasn't fully successful and incurred excesses etc.
I only ever book with the airline now, and always on a flexible rate - yes it costs more but that mindfulness is worth it IMO
I've always used Skyscanner and the likes and never paid them directly. You get the results, click the links, and buy the tickets from the airline. The comparison site makes their money from the referral Expedia is the exception but I hardly use them now.
Eva does look good for BKK and their business class is fairly cheap. I'm using Finnair this winter for the first time.
Eva does look good for BKK and their business class is fairly cheap. I'm using Finnair this winter for the first time.
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