Airfare search and booking: where to book, pros and cons
Airfares move constantly. The cheapest way to buy depends on whether you value the lowest price, flexibility, or being able to fix problems quickly when a flight is delayed or canceled.
Your options compared
Book direct with the airline
United, Delta, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska and others
Changes, refunds and rebooking are handled by the airline itself
Miles and status count in full
Southwest fares are generally sold on its own site
You compare one airline at a time
Fare search engines
Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, Momondo
Compare airlines, airports and dates in one search
Price calendars and price-tracking alerts
Usually send you to book with the airline or an agency
Some results link to little-known agencies; check who you are actually buying from
Online travel agencies
Expedia, Priceline, Booking.com and others
Bundles of flight plus hotel or car
One itinerary for a whole trip
During disruptions you may need the agency and the airline to agree on a fix
Budget and ultra-low-cost airlines
Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Ryanair, easyJet and others
Low base fares on many routes
Bags, seats and changes often cost extra
Fewer flights to rebook you on if something goes wrong
Before you pay, check:
Compare the fare with bags and seat selection added
The Company Chronicle does not earn a commission from the companies named on this page. Prices, fees and policies change often; always confirm the final total and the rules on the booking page before you pay.
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