Buying Cheap Flights on Third Party Websites?

ASOT on 29/04/2021 - 11:25

I'm looking at a flights right now on third party websites that I found through Google Flights, such as gotogate, kiwi, cheapoair, trip, and edreams, it's $98 (or significantly cheaper) vs $159 for the same flight on the actual airline's website. Is this legit? If so how do they manage to sell tickets for so much cheaper?

Also, every so often when I refresh the google flights page, the prices for these third party websites goes up and down quite a bit sometimes. Would there be any chance that as I try and checkout, I end up paying a higher amount than listed?

Travel Airfare

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 29/04/2021 - 11:28

    They are wholesale prices that they pre-purchase and on sell for a profit or;

    They are dodgy and you will never see your money again

  • waterbottled on 29/04/2021 - 11:35
    +6

    trip.com is the parent company of skyscanner, and is one of the largest travel companies in the world (runs the ctrip train ticketing system in China). they're trustworthy.

    the others are a bit hit and miss. the savings you get from them are worth it for me when I know my trip plans won't change. it's when you need to cancel or amend your order that these elcheapo websites can spiral into nightmareland.

  • jjjaar on 29/04/2021 - 11:39

    Is it a like for like product?

    That is, do both options include bags, seat selection, food, etc?

    I’m not saying they aren’t the same, just something to double check.

  • 88mph on 29/04/2021 - 11:40
    +2

    Would not advise any site without a physical street address in the country, ABN, and a contact number (that's actually answered by giving a test call). Even then, bit risky, Google a few popular cheapo sites which went bust in QLD a few years ago.

    My strategy (pre Covid) was to find a good deal online from an Aussie aggregator, and walk down to the local flight center on my street and ask them nicely to price match, always did. Unsure of present day though, haven't booked a flight since Covid hit.

    • crazyboy on 29/04/2021 - 12:02
      +1

      Tried this but flight center only price matches from Australian websites with ABN (which usually don't have that highly discounted prices).

      • waterbottled on 29/04/2021 - 15:13

        I remember Student flights would price match Aunt Betty which had prices on the lower end of the spectrum.

        • cheapjunkie on 29/04/2021 - 16:57
          +1

          Aunt Betty is actually under the Flight Centre Umbrella so not that suss and have used them numerous times without issues but as everyone else has said wont be fun when you have to make any changes

    • trapper on 29/04/2021 - 13:04

      Always pay via credit card then you're safe if they go belly up.

      • crazyboy on 29/04/2021 - 16:35

        Looks like I need to apply for a credit card now.

      • ASOT on 29/04/2021 - 23:34

        I've only got a debit card, is there a difference? And doesn't paypal offer more protection?

  • MrHyde on 29/04/2021 - 11:41

    I have used gotogate, edreams, cheapoair numerous times pre Covid and never had any issues.

    However, I did not have to make changes - that is when they are more than useless. In current uncertain times when things can change without notice; I would not use such sites. Too risky as money could just disappear if a flight gets cancelled.

  • crazyboy on 29/04/2021 - 12:03

    Have used gotogate and budgetair. Budgetair used to be cheaper 3-4 years but it seems not anymore.

  • Presence on 29/04/2021 - 12:54

    With covid i'd avoid resellers. Plenty of horror stories on this site about problems.

  • trapper on 29/04/2021 - 13:05

    I've used loads of these dodgy sites over the years and never had an issue, always pay via credit card though.

  • Stewardo on 29/04/2021 - 13:06
    +2

    Australian based websites/agents have to advertise the full price (in USA it’s added at checkout) and they have to adhere to Australian consumer law. The offshore agents on selling wholesale tickets don’t have to do this and vary in quality. You could be fine, most people who use them don’t have any problems or you could lose your money, encounter huge change fees, non existent customer service, it’s I bit of a risk, I normally book direct with airline, better access to seat selection, changes after cancellation, flight updates, FF membership etc

  • Food on 29/04/2021 - 15:36

    Always price beat on jetstar if possible. Matches 3rd parties based in Aust.

  • brad1-8tsi on 29/04/2021 - 16:16

    I've bought from a few of them and as you get towards the end of the check out process they add some mandatory or optional extras on.

    You will also find that if you need to change the ticket or cancel or get a refund that the customer service is non-existent. During normal times they are OK for simple trips. I wouldn't use them these days.

  • edumacation on 29/04/2021 - 23:39

    Usually they have terrible cancellation policies and sell to overbook flights by 10% expecting some to cancel/not show so they make their money back. I use certain sites regularly when travel was still allowed (international) for domestic usually go Jetstar and pricematch

    • samfisher5986 on 30/04/2021 - 10:37

      Travel Booking sites can't overbook flights, you are confusing that with airlines.

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