Aunt Betty VS BYOjet VS Jetabroad VS Ifly.net VS Expedia

EveryLastCent on 12/07/2023 - 12:31
Last edited 12/07/2023 - 12:40 by 1 other user

I previously made a forum post looking for flights and I got a lot of good advice and tips from great OzBargainers. Now I found the best flights available at the best price.

Catch is that the flights are not available directly from the airline (I even spoke with them on the phone), but they are available and ready to be bought from a number of online travel agents. I know, with them any changes will be a costly pain. But the price difference is really substantial. Also I am retired and I have the time to chase them if it comes to that.

The question is which is the lesser evil between:

Aunt Betty VS BYOjet VS Jetabroad VS Ifly.net VS Expedia.

The first 4 are Australian registered. Expedia seems to be the oldest/more reliable? I know, none of them is good, but the price difference is thousands!

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Travel Airfare

Related Stores

Aunt Betty
Aunt Betty
BYOjet
BYOjet
Marketplace
Expedia Australia
Expedia Australia
ifly.net.au
ifly.net.au

Comments

  • Hybroid on 12/07/2023 - 12:41
    +2

    Aunt Betty is the sister company of Flight Centre so reliable.

    Expedia is one of the largest travel agencies in the world a dozen sub-brands.

    Both will be fine but you MUST READ THE T&Cs carefully. They offer cheaper prices for a reason, there will be restrictions and additional charges for changes/cancellations etc.

    Haven't heard of the others so cannot vouch for them personally.

    • EveryLastCent on 12/07/2023 - 13:21

      Yes I suspect that a lot of bad reviews generate from people that expect what they feel is fair, rather than what is written in the T&C (which often is not fair, but still a contract).

  • kctt on 12/07/2023 - 12:52
    +1

    I bought flight from Expedia before. No issue. Bought tour activities from Expedia as well.
    It's better to use Expedia.com.au which i reckon there must be a registered Australian company for that domain. They would have more obligation than expedia.com

    • EveryLastCent on 12/07/2023 - 13:18

      Thank you. Good to hear feedback from people that actually used the services recently.

    • Thrawn on 17/07/2023 - 13:16

      Don't rely on domain names like that.

      More relevant is that Expedia is either the #1 or #2 booking agency in the world by sales. Pretty safe

  • djsweet on 12/07/2023 - 13:31
    +3

    Personally I wouldn't book flights through any companies mentioned. During COVID travel restrictions getting any money back from the above agencies was a nightmare. I still have about $800 I haven't managed to recover with Aunt Betty. People quickly forget how badly these companies screwed people over during COVID. Book flights direct with the airline for minimum pita. It might cost a few dollars more, but I think its worth it.

    • EveryLastCent on 12/07/2023 - 13:50

      I agree completely. But this particular flight (only 1 stop) somehow is only available through these online companies. The airline will not sell it. Instead they will sell a 2 stops flight going through Melbourne first adding an extra 5 hours to the trip. And a lot more expensive.
      Unbelievable but true.
      PS. Everyone screwed people over during Covid!

      • bmxr on 12/07/2023 - 13:59

        Agree, I wouldn't use any of the above.

        What's the route and the airline out of interest?

  • b-t on 12/07/2023 - 13:37

    Like others are saying, you're on your own if things go wrong (ie. cancellations, rescheduing, etc)

    However, I've bought from Aunt Betty, BYOJet and Expedia before. Haven't had any issues yet…. oh except the fact that I purchased a ticket to London via Vietnam - Mel > Hanoi > Ho Chi Minh > London, and no one told me I needed a visa to do a transit through Vietnam because I was going through their domestic terminal. I've booked with physical travel agents like Flight Centre and they'll be adamant to make sure that you have everything you need before you travel otherwise it's on them.

    Always have pros and cons :)

    Lately I've purchased a ticket from Trip.com, so we'll see how that goes haha

  • tmcn85 on 12/07/2023 - 14:07

    Just try your best to anticipate what could go wrong. e.g. your second flight gets cancelled and you get lumped with a 15 hour layover.

    Sounds like it might be worth the chance.

  • 2jzzzz on 12/07/2023 - 14:32

    I'll only ever book flights direct with the company

  • Sweet3st on 12/07/2023 - 14:45
    +1

    I'd do it to save a lot of money but double and triple check everything!

  • MrHyde on 12/07/2023 - 15:22

    I've used BYOJet and Jetabroad with no issues. However as others have mentioned, its when things go wrong that you have issues with the travel agents - so be clear on what any change fees, etc will be.

    Also interested in the routing - do doublecheck that there is enough time to make the connection and that it is being sold as one ticket. Some online travel agents will purchase two tickets and sell them as one and then you find out later that you are not protected because the connection was too tight and against airline rules (which is why the airline does not sell it themselves)

  • rambutann on 12/07/2023 - 15:36

    I once lost my flight and my money when STA Travel went into administration.
    Not a lot in the grand scheme of life, but still infuriating.

    I have personally used all of the companies mentioned, they are all fine. It's honestly just a matter of choosing which one is least likely to go into administration.
    If I had to vote on which is the most to least reliable in terms of not going into administration i'd say Expedia, Aunt Betty, Jetabroad then BYOjet.

    • Thrawn on 17/07/2023 - 13:19

      Pay by credit card and that's not really an issue (also for the travel insurance). Just chargeback, easy. I did it when Fly365 went bankrupt…

      Also BYOJet and Aunt Betty are both Flight Center brands so they're equivalent

  • koplik8 on 12/07/2023 - 15:50

    I use Webjet, Flybuys Travel and Agoda. Then I go straight to the airline companies website to cross reference the pricing. I usually book a package to get a discount on the accommodation. My Dad did a claim with Webjet and the insurance company were excellent. It was a medical thing and he could go on the trip.

  • MELso on 12/07/2023 - 19:59

    I've used Jetabroad without issue.

    Having said that, have you tried using the airline's multi-city booking engine?

  • drogba on 13/07/2023 - 00:04

    I've used Aunt Betty, BYOjet and Expedia without issues.

    If you're confident with your plans just go for the cheapest option, most of those 3rd party options will give you the same service.

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