Best site and times to get cheaper airline tickets

[fromkentgent]

Undecided but defo going to one of the three.

1: Dubai (2 weeks)
2: Goa (possibly Mumbai first then Goa) (3 weeks)
3 China (3 weeks)

Will go for 2 to three weeks depending on where we go in, about from Feb 11th.

Want a direct flight with a decent airline.

Therefore, which site you found best, reliable, ATOL covered and at what time, what days are normally the best prices?

There is 4 of us going.

Thanks

PS: Heathrow is closer to us.

[anonymous-user]

Skyscanner / Google flights then direct to website to book.

[fromkentgent]

Thanks - been looking since last night appears to be one of the better sites. Fares were lower overall last night but higher now - trying to work out the bast times to buy will buy towards the weekend or from tonight as we need to firm up where we are going

[eldar]

Lord.Vader said:

Skyscanner / Google flights then direct to website to book.

Google flights good for getting prices, particularly around the date you want to fly. Then skkyscanner for the chosen flights.

[fromkentgent]

Re Google bit it and miss and I agree with what you said. I see Google prices by chance when searching generally. Can you access that direct?
TIA

[oilslick]

fromkentgent said:

Re Google bit it and miss and I agree with what you said. I see Google prices by chance when searching generally. Can you access that direct?
TIA

https://www.google.co.uk/flights/

[fromkentgent]

Cheers.

[Dave Brand]

fromkentgent said:

Therefore, which site you found best, reliable, ATOL covered and at what time, what days are normally the best prices?

Flight-only bookings are not usually ATOL protected.

As for the best site to book on, book direct with the airline. Third party websites have the habit of showing very attractive prices which mysteriously disappear when to try to make a booking. Generally speaking with such companies when you click on "buy" you are not making a booking, you are making a booking request; they will then try to make a booking with the airline on your behalf. Usually it's them, not you, who owns the booking, which can lead to complications.

There are many theories as to when to book, but I don't think anybody outside (possibly inside!) the airline business really understand how airline pricing works. The consensus seems to be that somewhere between six & three months before flying gets the best price. Find a price that suits you, book it & don't look back!

[fromkentgent]

Dave Brand said:

Flight-only bookings are not usually ATOL protected.

As for the best site to book on, book direct with the airline. Third party websites have the habit of showing very attractive prices which mysteriously disappear when to try to make a booking. Generally speaking with such companies when you click on "buy" you are not making a booking, you are making a booking request; they will then try to make a booking with the airline on your behalf. Usually it's them, not you, who owns the booking, which can lead to complications.

There are many theories as to when to book, but I don't think anybody outside (possibly inside!) the airline business really understand how airline pricing works. The consensus seems to be that somewhere between six & three months before flying gets the best price. Find a price that suits you, book it & don't look back!

Many thanks for that.

We will use a CC to book and protect but will look up the aTOL thingy.

Looked at Skyscanner, Google Flight and came acrosss Opodo. Opodo appears the cheapest and all destinations are cheaper about 2 weeks in advance so may wait the 2 weeks before but seasons vary. With the 2 weeks in advance, single tickets lot cheaper than 2/3 or 4 may go down single ticket route.

I went to the Air India site, they were a bit higher than the lowest but did not fully investigate prices.

AB appears overpriced dated planes and less legroom and seat widths.

Virgin appears expensive and in between the other 2 carriers

Thanks all.

[Hamsterdam]

You may find some of this helpful, you may not...

1. You may get bored spending 2 whole weeks in Dubai. I’ve been before and would go again but not for more than 4/5 nights. China and India, more than enough go see for a few weeks.

2. You could fly to Dubai, spend a few nights there and then go to India, the flight time between the two is around 3 hours, China is a lot more.

3. You could see if Emirates offer a free stopover for the above

4. I wouldn’t recommend Air India at all.

5. Try using different browsers when checking flights. I’ve found it does sometimes make a difference and if you notice prices going up, clean the history and cookies on the browser you are using.

[Dave Brand]

fromkentgent said:

Looked at Skyscanner, Google Flight and came acrosss Opodo. Opodo appears the cheapest and all destinations are cheaper about 2 weeks in advance so may wait the 2 weeks before but seasons vary. With the 2 weeks in advance, single tickets lot cheaper than 2/3 or 4 may go down single ticket route.

Before you use Opodo type "Opodo review" into your favourite search engine; you'll find some interesting reading! Wanna buy a bargepole?

Opodo may appear cheap, but they don't have live prices, so the advertised price will almost certainly not be available.

If you look at threads relating to Online Travel Agencies on the Tripadvisor air travel forum, & others, you'll see literally hundreds of complaints from people who were basically blinded by the "C" word. . . cheap.

[85Carrera]

Hamsterdam said:

You may find some of this helpful, you may not...

5. Try using different browsers when checking flights. I’ve found it does sometimes make a difference and if you notice prices going up, clean the history and cookies on the browser you are using.

This is good advice. I know from someone who worked for them that Emirates will increase the price each time you go to look at a fare so I always use a different device when booking as opposed to browsing for flights.

[vaud]

Hamsterdam said:

4. I wouldn’t recommend Air India at all.

^^^ what he said

Also look for indirect flights, e.g. connecting through Schipol.

[fromkentgent]

Thank you all.

Re Opdo, that's what our son said last night that they are best avoided.

Re Dubai, re the 2 weeks, son and daughter has been and they agree that 2 weeks is too much, will get bored unless
we are loaded which we are not.

Re different browsers, search engines, will try and have cleared cookies. Thanks, I was aware re prices going up.

ATM, playing around with prices, dates to travel, booking a few days in advance is cheaper.

However, Feb ill be busier I think.


Another worry is the Iran thing which I posted a separate thread about on Sunday and thankfully my predictions were almost spot on IE, Iran is allowed to save face and back to the status quo.


NB: I will not look at Opdo as they consistently come up with cheaper flights but as you guys said - so will avoid.

Thanks

[Superbad]

fromkentgent said:

Thank you all.

Re Opdo, that's what our son said last night that they are best avoided.

Re Dubai, re the 2 weeks, son and daughter has been and they agree that 2 weeks is too much, will get bored unless
we are loaded which we are not.

Re different browsers, search engines, will try and have cleared cookies. Thanks, I was aware re prices going up.

ATM, playing around with prices, dates to travel, booking a few days in advance is cheaper.

However, Feb ill be busier I think.


Another worry is the Iran thing which I posted a separate thread about on Sunday and thankfully my predictions were almost spot on IE, Iran is allowed to save face and back to the status quo.


NB: I will not look at Opdo as they consistently come up with cheaper flights but as you guys said - so will avoid.

Thanks

For Dubai, book a hotel that includes breakfast and if possible executive lounge access. I stayed in a Hilton in Dubai and it had both of these. Saved quite a lot as the lounge had afternoon tea including scones etc and also drinks in the evening for few hours.

[fatboy b]

Keep an eye on airline sales. That’s it. We got BA 1st class returns to Toronto with 90% discount last sept.

[FukeLreeman]

fromkentgent said:

Thank you all.

Re Opdo, that's what our son said last night that they are best avoided.

Re Dubai, re the 2 weeks, son and daughter has been and they agree that 2 weeks is too much, will get bored unless
we are loaded which we are not.

Re different browsers, search engines, will try and have cleared cookies. Thanks, I was aware re prices going up.

ATM, playing around with prices, dates to travel, booking a few days in advance is cheaper.

However, Feb ill be busier I think.


Another worry is the Iran thing which I posted a separate thread about on Sunday and thankfully my predictions were almost spot on IE, Iran is allowed to save face and back to the status quo.


NB: I will not look at Opdo as they consistently come up with cheaper flights but as you guys said - so will avoid.

Thanks

I thought you was loaded?

And not even flying business class?

Pauper.

[aquarianone]

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Edited by aquarianone on Friday 10th January 18:39