28th April, 2023
Finding cheap flights often takes us a lot of time and effort, and in this regard, the question arises: is it not easier to use the services of fare aggregators? It is not uncommon for airfares quoted by fare aggregators to be lower than those on the airlines’ websites. Here is a short overview to help you understand if using fare aggregators is worth it.
Fare Aggregators Benefits
The cost of air tickets is constantly changing under the influence of many factors. Fare aggregators are good because they offer:
- Building the best route in the absence of convenient direct flights, when you plan flights over long distances and in different time zones, for example, a flight from Los Angeles to Guangzhou;
- A single system for comparing prices and flight options for several airlines and travel service providers;
- Exclusive offers and promotions that may not be available to the general public, and search with vague dates to select the best departure/arrival options;
- Customizing search criteria, such as choosing preferred airlines, departure time and break duration, number of stops, price, schedule, etc.
This allows them to find the most convenient and cost-effective travel options that suit your needs.
Drawbacks of Booking with Aggregators
Unfortunately, along with convenience, aggregators have several imperfections:
- Prices displayed on rate aggregator sites are not always accurate or up-to-date.
- Not all airlines may be included in search results, which greatly limits the choice available to travelers.
- An additional charge, such as a booking or credit card processing fee, often cancels out the savings from the transaction.
- When booking through an intermediary, you may not be able to access certain amenities or services offered by the airline, such as free baggage allowance or priority boarding.
While fare aggregators offer convenience and potential savings, we advise you to check prices directly with airlines to make sure all options are explored and you get the best deal.