Skyscanner 'deal' rates lower than airlines themselves...

Alan_Cross

... but are they ok?

I have noticed that various 'deals' are available from Skyscanner which seem to offer much lower transatlantic return fares than going direct to the airlines.

Are these dodgy in any way? They seem to be quoting the self-same flights.

peachyprice

Skyscanner is only a search engine, not a booking site. Have you actually clicked on any of the links to try to book them? Often the prices will be from dodgy agents and will go up when try to book or you'll find it's a different ticket class with no luggage included for example.

Read before booking

Prices shown always include an estimate of all mandatory taxes and charges, but remember to check ALL ticket details, final prices and terms and conditions on the booking website before you book.
Check for extra fees
Some airlines / agents charge extra for baggage, insurance or use of credit cards.View airlines fees.
Check T&Cs for travellers aged 12-16
Restrictions may apply to young passengers travelling alone.

And if you do click through on the cheap deals you often get this message:

We're sorry, we can't verify prices at the moment.
Please try again.

leylandsunaddict

Most of the agents that advertise on SS don't have access to live pricing, or availability. You're not comparing like for like when you compare prices displayed on SS to those of the airlines.

Ganga

Plus i would imagine if things went wrong the airline will be able to sort it out where as an agent at a call center may not!

Pollycat

Ganga wrote: »

Plus i would imagine if things went wrong the airline will be able to sort it out where as an agent at a call center may not!

Yes.

I'm sure Leylandsunaddict will agree that lots of people who book with 3rd parties instead of direct with airlines post with regret on Tripadvisor about their experiences.

steve1500

Sky scanner is great for checking the different airlines & combinations.

Do they fly on that day nearby airports & so on

But I then always go to the actual airlines site.

travellerboy

Saying Skyscanner is doggy is a plain stupid comment.

They are a well respected search engine along side momondo, expedia and a few others. They give people the choice of booking via Travel Agencies, Bucket shops and airlines. Most if not all are ABTA licensed and I have used many of them in the past.

leylandsunaddict

Pollycat wrote: »

Yes.

I'm sure Leylandsunaddict will agree that lots of people who book with 3rd parties instead of direct with airlines post with regret on Tripadvisor about their experiences.

Most definitely!

agrinnall

I personally find Skyscanner better for researching flights than alternatives such as Kayak, the latter consistenty returned flights that didn't actually exist. But as stated, you do need to go elsewhere to actually confirm that the flight or combination of flights is valid and to get an actual price. Generally the price that Skyscanner comes up with is pretty close to what you can get booking direct with the airline.

Pollycat

travellerboy wrote: »

Saying Skyscanner is doggy is a plain stupid comment.

They are a well respected search engine along side momondo, expedia and a few others. They give people the choice of booking via Travel Agencies, Bucket shops and airlines. Most if not all are ABTA licensed and I have used many of them in the past.

I don't think the OP said that Skyscanner was 'dodgy' (or even 'doggy' ).

He asked a question.

TBF, I don't think he understood that - as explained by Peachyprice - "Skyscanner is only a search engine, not a booking site".

peachyprice

travellerboy wrote: »

Saying Skyscanner is doggy is a plain stupid comment.

They are a well respected search engine along side momondo, expedia and a few others. They give people the choice of booking via Travel Agencies, Bucket shops and airlines. Most if not all are ABTA licensed and I have used many of them in the past.

Who said Skyscanner is dodgy?