Third Party Booking Sites

dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 20:22

I was looking at airlines/flights to the US for a short trip so destination is little flexible and noticed some of the third party websites are a lot cheaper.
I know everyone mentions to go directly with the airline but if i don't make any changes to my flight would i have any issues?

Example - Sydney - Denver Return. Skyscanner shows some flights with QANTAS for ~$1200, but directly through QANTAS is $2500+ in Feb.
Sydney - LA Return similar story but with Virgin. (i think it's code sharing with United Airlines)
If it was only $100-200 difference i'd happily pay the difference but this half the price.

Have we had good stories through third party websites?
Or share the issues? I've read of customer side issues when dates/flights need to be changed and understand those are my issues.
Is it just issues if flight is delayed and transit time was 1hr and i miss the next flight? If both segments are sorted at Sydney check in would that be an airline issue or would i still need to go through the third party site?
Anything out of my control which might cause issues?

Travel Airfare

Comments

  • HamBoi69 on 05/01/2025 - 20:26
    +3

    Booking via third-party sites is basically gambling. Except the house always wins, and by 'house,' I mean Expedia's fine print.

    • dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 20:41

      haha so i guess it's the gamble if my ticket is straight forward with no flight issues or if i have problems….

  • nekro on 05/01/2025 - 20:32

    What is the 3rd party site?

    • dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 20:42

      aunt betty, byojet, trip.com. I thought it was a price error but saw a few third party with the same.

      • Ramrunner on 06/01/2025 - 14:27

        All I can mention is Aunt Betty had some VERY BAD posts on here a year or two back. Can't comment on the other two but unless I hear different, I personally would never book with Aunt Betty.

  • capslock on 05/01/2025 - 20:40
    +5

    I've booked flights with Expedia and Trip.com. No problems with either.

    • dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 20:43

      This gives me hope. I take it, it's because you didnt need any involvement with customer service reps? Bought, received confirmation ticket and flew? (not change of flight or delays from airline either)

      • capslock on 05/01/2025 - 20:50
        +1

        Correct. Flew as per original booking.

    • somebody123 on 06/01/2025 - 05:12

      +1 for trip.com
      I have been using them for the last two years. No issues. Their app is really good too and it just takes minutes to book any flight. Paying with paypal in AUD and no extra charges for foreign currencies like when you book directly with airlines. Do shop around though, they are not always the cheapest.

    • sammm on 06/01/2025 - 08:03

      Ive booked through skyscanner, Trip.com and Expedia. i have not had a problem either. i usually make sure there is a fair amount of time between stopovers, just in case something happens and there is a delay.

    • ryefig on 06/01/2025 - 09:06

      Generally speaking, places like Expedia or Booking.com are fine and you prrrrobably wont have issues.
      It's the 'unknown' third parties that are risky.

  • MrHyde on 05/01/2025 - 20:49
    +4

    I've booked with third party sites and never had an issues. Basically the issues fall under three categories.

    1) If you need to cancel or change your flights - can become very expensive as in addition to airline change fees, the third party sites will also charge their fees on top plus change in airfare as well.

    2) If there are connecting flights and the site has booked them separately. Then you are not covered if first flight is delayed leading to missed connections. If booked on same ticket; then not an issue - but some sites are not transparent and not easy to tell if its same ticket or different.

    3) If airline makes changes; you can only deal with airline through the site. Many sites are a pain to get in touch with and hard to get them to do anything for you - ie they are terrible at representing you to the airlines.

    So, if its a straightforward booking and you are 100% sure you won't require changes; go with the sites and lock in those savings.

    • SnowDragon on 05/01/2025 - 22:19
      +1

      Yep that's the risk you're taking booking third party - lots of effort and or money to change things. I booked via Aunt Betty to go to Bali in early 2020. Took until mid 2022 and numerous phone calls to get the Travel Bank sorted.

      For simple return flights without connections then go cheap. Otherwise pay a lil bit extra and make life easier.

    • dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 23:15

      Thanks for the response!
      Luckily i shouldnt need to change dates for anything but thanks for the heads up on the missed connections issue. The same flight is on the qantas website but at a far higher price so i would hope it's the one ticket rather than two.
      There is like to be a connection so i guess i should just cross my fingers and hope for the best.

      • sammm on 06/01/2025 - 08:04

        In case of delays, just make sure that you have a fair amount of time between connections.

  • djkelly69 on 05/01/2025 - 21:00
    +3

    For that sort of price difference, I think I would be willing to take the chance if my plans were somewhat flexible and I was confident I didn't need to make changes, etc.

    Have you actually clicked through to check those prices with the 3rd party sites are accurate and you are comparing apples with apples (flight category, baggage, etc)? It seems unusual for there to be that big a difference.

    • MrHyde on 05/01/2025 - 22:48
      +2

      Make sure you are comparing prices in the same currency and also inclusive of all taxes. Some sites show prices in USD; which can look a lot cheaper if you mistake the price as AUD.

      • dragong87 on 05/01/2025 - 23:17

        Thanks. Checked and did go through to the third party site and was able to go through in AUD until the passenger details so it looks like it's right.
        Looks like the price is correct and cross my fingers there's no issues!

  • 87percent on 05/01/2025 - 21:35
    +1

    Last time I went to the US, bought through Aunt Betty and had no issues. I’ve also used Kissandfly and had no issues

  • SydneySwan on 06/01/2025 - 07:48
    +1

    Booked GOL domestic flights in Brazil on Trip.com that was unable to book directly on GOL website. All were fine.

  • 12Sydney34 on 06/01/2025 - 08:29
    +1

    Booked with aunt Betty… they are owned by flight centre… they clearly say you either pay a little bit more for changes otherwise, they have charges for any mods + airline charges
    Pay with credit card…. To do chargeback if any issue…
    Check that booking exits on the airline website and regular check that booking is still there….

    Found that booking via Skyscanner thru to aunt Betty was cheaper than directly via aunt Betty…..

    • kiitos on 06/01/2025 - 09:17

      Found that booking via Skyscanner thru to aunt Betty was cheaper than directly via aunt Betty…..

      That's interesting, wonder if that's the same with links through to the airline too

  • Jac33au on 06/01/2025 - 09:05
    -2

    This whole conversation is weird to me. Virgin is the only carrier I've booked direct with for anything travel related.

  • afah0447 on 06/01/2025 - 10:54

    Ive never had any issues with Trip.com. I think the bigger 3rd party firms are starting to lift their game a bit and have their shit together now given how bad they used to be.

  • Emcaljoe on 06/01/2025 - 14:44

    I use Skyscanner but always book directly with airlines even if not the cheapest flight (sometimes it is). 'Peace of mind' but no guarantees with the airline business, unfortunately.

  • yellowfever on 06/01/2025 - 14:59

    I personally wouldn't book a flight through a third party for a small saving of typically $100-$300

    The headache and stuff around with flight cancellations (not caused by you) and any other mishaps is not worth the saving.

    For accommodations is fine as there is far less chance of cancellation or any delays.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join