Are you looking for the best deals on flights for your next trip? If so, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available online. How do you know which third-party flight booking website will give you the lowest price, the best service, and the most flexibility?
In this article post, we will review some of the best websites for booking flights at the cheapest prices. Whether you are looking for a domestic or international flight, a one-way or round-trip ticket, or a specific airline or fare class, you will find a website that suits your needs.
Best Third Party Flight Booking Sites
One of the simplest ways to book a flight is to go directly to the airline’s website. This way, you can avoid paying any extra fees or commissions to third-party websites, and you can also use your frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards to get discounts or free flights.
However, booking direct has some limitations. First, you need to know which airline offers the best price and availability for your destination and dates. Second, you might miss out on some deals or perks that are exclusive to certain websites or platforms. Third, you might have to deal with the airline directly in case of any changes, cancellations, or issues with your booking.
To find out which airline has the best price, you can use a travel search engine or an online travel agency (OTA) to compare different options. Then, you can go to the airline’s website and book your flight there. Some of the best travel search engines and OTAs are listed below.
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Momondo
Momondo is a third-party flight booking and travel metasearch engine that searches hundreds of websites to find the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. It has a simple and user-friendly interface that lets you enter your travel details and filter your results by price, duration, stops, airlines, airports, and more.
One of the best features of Momondo is the price calendar, which shows you how the prices vary depending on the dates you choose. You can also use the price alert tool to get notified when the prices drop or rise for your desired flight. Additionally, Momondo offers Mix & Match fares, which are combinations of two one-way tickets from different airlines that can save you money compared to a round-trip ticket.
However, Momondo does not sell flights directly. Instead, it redirects you to the website of the airline or the OTA that offers the flight you want. This means that you have to make two separate bookings if you choose a Mix & Match fare, and you have to deal with the customer service of the third-party website in case of any issues.
Pros:
- Great price tracking tools
- Mix & Match fares for more flexibility and savings
- Comprehensive search and filter options
Cons:
- Does not sell flights directly
- Mix & Match fares require two separate bookings
- Customer service depends on the third-party website
Hot Tip: We cover the ins and outs of finding cheap airfare with this website in our guide to using Momondo.
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Kayak
Kayak is another popular travel metasearch engine that compares prices from hundreds of websites, including airlines, OTAs, and other travel platforms. It has a similar interface and features as Momondo, such as the price calendar, the price alert, and the filter options.
Kayak also offers Hacker Fares, which are similar to Mix & Match fares, but with a difference. Hacker Fares are combinations of two one-way tickets from the same airline or its partners, which can sometimes be cheaper than a round-trip ticket. Kayak also allows you to book these fares in one transaction, unlike Momondo.
However, Kayak also does not sell flights directly. It redirects you to the website of the provider that offers the flight you want. This means that you have to deal with the customer service of the third-party website in case of any issues.
Pros:
- Great price tracking tools
- Hacker Fares for more flexibility and savings
- Comprehensive search and filter options
- Allows booking Hacker Fares in one transaction
Cons:
- Does not sell flights directly
- Customer service depends on the third-party website
Hot Tip: We cover the ins and outs of finding cheap airfare with this website in our guide to using Kayak.
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Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another travel metasearch engine that compares prices from thousands of websites, including airlines, OTAs, and other travel platforms. It has a similar interface and features as Kayak and Momondo, such as the price calendar, the price alert, and the filter options.
Skyscanner also offers a unique feature called Explore, which allows you to find the cheapest flights to anywhere in the world from your departure city. You can also use the map view to see the prices of different destinations on a map. This is a great tool for finding inspiration and discovering new places to visit.
However, Skyscanner also does not sell flights directly. It redirects you to the website of the provider that offers the flight you want. This means that you have to deal with the customer service of the third-party website in case of any issues.
Pros:
- Great price tracking tools
- Explore feature for finding the cheapest flights to anywhere
- Map view for seeing the prices of different destinations on a map
- Comprehensive search and filter options
Cons:
- Does not sell flights directly
- Customer service depends on the third-party website
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Skyshiptravel
Skyshiptravel is one of the best third party flight booking sites and a travel website that compares prices from many sources, like airlines and other travel sites. It’s easy to use, and you can quickly see prices for your trip. One great thing about Skyshiptravel is its price graph, which shows you how prices change over time for your route. It also helps you find the cheapest dates to travel. Additionally, it has a feature called Discover that shows you good deals for popular destinations.
However, Skyshiptravel also does not sell flights directly. It redirects you to the website of the provider that offers the flight you want. This means that you have to deal with the customer service of the third-party website in case of any issues.
Pros:
- Great price tracking tools
- Price graph and date grid for finding the cheapest dates to fly
- Discover feature for finding the best deals for popular destinations
- Simple and fast interface
Cons:
- Does not sell flights directly
- Customer service depends on the third-party website
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Expedia
Expedia is one of the largest and most popular OTAs that sells flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. It has a comprehensive and user-friendly interface that lets you enter your travel details and filter your results by price, duration, stops, airlines, airports, and more.
One of the best features of Expedia is the bundle deals, which allow you to save money by booking your flight and hotel together. You can also use the Expedia Rewards program to earn points and perks for every booking you make. Additionally, Expedia offers a feature called Scratchpad, which saves your recent searches and alerts you of any price changes.
However, Expedia also charges a booking fee for some flights, which can increase the total cost of your ticket. It also has a mixed reputation for its customer service, which can vary depending on the provider you book with.
Pros:
- Bundle deals for saving money by booking flight and hotel together
- Expedia Rewards program for earning points and perks
- Scratchpad feature for saving your recent searches and getting price alerts
- Comprehensive and user-friendly interface
Cons:
- Charges a booking fee for some flights
- Customer service can vary depending on the provider
Wrapping Up
Booking flights online can be a daunting task, especially when you want to find the best deals and the most convenient options. The next time you plan a trip, don’t forget to check out these third-party flight booking sites and compare their prices and benefits. You might be surprised by how much you can save and how much fun you can have while booking your flight.
