For years, seasoned travelers have been advised to use Travel Search Engines to find flight options, but ultimately book directly with the airlines. However, personal experiences can sometimes challenge this conventional wisdom. One traveler with 15 years of flying experience, including numerous trips to Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the US, consistently found that online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia offered lower prices than booking directly with airlines.
This traveler, based in British Columbia, Canada, regularly uses search engines such as Expedia, Kayak, Momondo, and Google Flights to compare flight prices from airports in Kelowna, BC, and Spokane, Washington. In a recent example, for a flight from Kelowna to Los Cabos, Expedia was significantly cheaper – $150 less – than WestJet for the exact same flight. While preferring to book directly with the airline, the substantial price difference led to booking through Expedia. This experience, consistent over years of travel pre and post-Covid, raises a valid question about the perceived benefits of booking directly with airlines after using a travel search engine.
Historically, using a travel search engine to identify flights and then booking directly with the airline was considered best practice. The assumption was that OTAs might add extra fees or not always display the most accurate pricing. However, with the evolution of travel search engines and the dynamic pricing models employed by both airlines and OTAs, the landscape might be more nuanced. While Google Flights often aligns with airline website pricing, anecdotal evidence suggests that OTAs like Expedia can sometimes offer more competitive deals, potentially due to negotiated rates or promotional offers.
Therefore, while the advice to utilize a travel search engine remains sound for comparing options across different airlines and routes, travelers should not automatically dismiss OTA pricing. It is prudent to compare prices on a travel search engine and then cross-reference with the airline’s official website, but also to consider reputable OTAs like Expedia. The optimal strategy might be to use a travel search engine to gain a comprehensive view of available flights and prices, and then make an informed decision based on the actual prices offered, whether it’s directly from the airline or through a trusted online travel agency.
Ultimately, the goal is to secure the best possible flight deal. By understanding the evolving role of travel search engines and the pricing dynamics of both airlines and OTAs, travelers can make informed choices and potentially save money, regardless of where they choose to book their flights.
