Best website for flight booking
Discussion
Looking to book flights only to Mauritius over the new year, accommodation already sourced.
So book direct with airline, or a third party site?
I don’t fit well in economy, so looking either premium economy or business, airlines seem to be BA (may already be sold out), Emirates, who only seem to do PE from UK to Dubai or Air Mauritius who don’t seem to offer PE.
So book direct with airline, or a third party site?
I don’t fit well in economy, so looking either premium economy or business, airlines seem to be BA (may already be sold out), Emirates, who only seem to do PE from UK to Dubai or Air Mauritius who don’t seem to offer PE.
Matt.. said:
Always book flights direct. Never use a third party.
Use third party sites to find flights and then book direct. I mainly search using Google Flights.
This. Use third party sites to find flights and then book direct. I mainly search using Google Flights.
Google flights and it's predecessor ITA Matrix are good for finding flights and comparing prices, then always book direct.
Flights have the biggest potential to throw a spanner into your travel plans so you don't want to be dealing with a disinterested third party that doesn't care because they already have your money and an airline is going to put anyone who booked via a 3rd party right at the bottom of the list because they're going to take care of their customers first. So always book direct.
Mark V GTD said:
But the flights from agents are often significantly cheaper than the direct cost.
Almost never seen this in my experience. Airlines have been competitive for years simply because they'd rather take the money themselves than have to pay commissions. Book the majority of our work travel globally with Booking.com and never had any hassle or felt ripped off. Having said that if it was a family holiday I would probably go direct with whoever I was flying with. Just make sorting any issues like delayed/missed flights that bit slicker.
On my last trip I had a felxi ticket and to change flights I had to deal with booking.com who dealt with Lufthansa who had the ticket while the actual route was operated by United Airlines.
On my last trip I had a felxi ticket and to change flights I had to deal with booking.com who dealt with Lufthansa who had the ticket while the actual route was operated by United Airlines.
Mark V GTD said:
But the flights from agents are often significantly cheaper than the direct cost.
I ve found them to be £30 or £40 more expensive. On an international flight costing £600, I d gladly pay, not to have to deal with the useless third party booking sites. Last booking site I used, they called me up to try and flog extras. Then they sent me an email saying my flight was cancelled after I landed, and I had to contact them immediately. Not sure what that particular ruse was about, maybe an attempt to upsell insurance? The airline and airport websites confirmed the flights were proceeding as planned.
Once I had to cancel a flight and of course getting the taxes refunded took months. I presume the booking website got the refund and sat on the funds, to use as float.
When I ve cancelled a direct booking, the tax refund only took a few working days.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 5th November 07:47
We search accommodation and flights via Booking.com ,Expedia , Trip Advisor etc.
We then always book direct , pretty much without fail at lower cost.
Booking.com detail in the terms and conditions they add a percentage in commission to flight's and accommodation. It's their business of course and they do it well.
We then always book direct , pretty much without fail at lower cost.
Booking.com detail in the terms and conditions they add a percentage in commission to flight's and accommodation. It's their business of course and they do it well.
If a multi-leg trip with the same airline I'd normally book direct with the airline as they are then responsible for getting you to your destination. If with different airlines I make sure that I have plenty of time between the legs - which will normally entail 2 separate bookings as the 3rd party sites tend to give very little time between flights.
There can be some great deals from 3rd party websites. I had a £1000 discount with booking.com on a multi leg flight with Ethiopian over their site - no idea why, but it does happen.
There can be some great deals from 3rd party websites. I had a £1000 discount with booking.com on a multi leg flight with Ethiopian over their site - no idea why, but it does happen.
Agree with what's being said on using Google Flght and booking direct.
If you are flexible on dates, GF has the grid date view showing the most competitive price across the various date ranges.
Generally find the 3rd party price slightly cheaper, but I always book direct so 1) I can select my seat 2) if the SHTF, I can deal direct with the airline and not some disinterested 3rd party whose office is likely to be closed anyway.
If you are flexible on dates, GF has the grid date view showing the most competitive price across the various date ranges.
Generally find the 3rd party price slightly cheaper, but I always book direct so 1) I can select my seat 2) if the SHTF, I can deal direct with the airline and not some disinterested 3rd party whose office is likely to be closed anyway.
Mark V GTD said:
But the flights from agents are often significantly cheaper than the direct cost.
I've set myself up as an Independent Travel Agent, merely to get better access to travel options, and cheaper travel!!I can assure you, the rate a TA gets are pretty much identical to the retail rate, and commissions is pitiful. Hotels/packages usually offer 8-15% commission - Airlines range from 0-1%, so an agent won't be able to share that.
We are often advised (if booking for others) to get them to book airfare directly as it's often cheaper.
I've tried using them in the past and yes, you can save money by going through one of the booking services - and if you're just looking for the cheapest option, aren't fussy about seats, etc - and everything goes to plan you're quids in.
Problems start when you are a bit fussy or things do go wrong.
Want to add the flight to your airline app so you can pick seats/do online check-in? More than once that's involved having to email someone at the booking agents to get a special, booking specific email address you need to access the booking.
Flight cancelled last minute and need to re-book? No just logging on to the airline app or queueing at the airline's desk at the airport. Nope, you might find you don't have a contract with the airline, just with the booking agent and they have a one with the airline. As such you might need to go through the agent, to get them to transfer you.
None of that's the end of the world but stress you don't always need and can at least be minimised if you've booked direct with the airline - which is what I do these days.
Problems start when you are a bit fussy or things do go wrong.
Want to add the flight to your airline app so you can pick seats/do online check-in? More than once that's involved having to email someone at the booking agents to get a special, booking specific email address you need to access the booking.
Flight cancelled last minute and need to re-book? No just logging on to the airline app or queueing at the airline's desk at the airport. Nope, you might find you don't have a contract with the airline, just with the booking agent and they have a one with the airline. As such you might need to go through the agent, to get them to transfer you.
None of that's the end of the world but stress you don't always need and can at least be minimised if you've booked direct with the airline - which is what I do these days.
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