Think you’re getting the best deal when you go online and and book a travel deal? Well, think again. Turns out a lot of airlines are keeping some of their best deals from consumers according to NBC’s Today Show.
Host Matt Lauer, in an interview with Jackie Gifford, Senior Editor of Travel + Leisure revealed some surprising information about getting the best deals online.
While many consumer believe using a comparison site, like Orbitz, helps get them the best prices, in reality it does the opposite. The reason? Airlines want you to book directly through their site, so they hide their prices and the best deals until you click to go to their site.
As Gifford explained doing this help build customer loyalty and allows the company to control the flow of information.
Here’s something even more surprising: some airlines, like Luftansa, are charging a fee when you purchase tickets through a 3rd party site, so you may end up paying even more.
So, what can you do? Your best option is to go to the sites of the actual airlines and compare deals that way to make sure you are getting the best price possible.
In addition, here are some other useful tips Gifford shared with viewers:
·Call hotels to book: sounds old-fashioned, but by calling you become a person instead of a number. You may be able to get a better deal or upgrade if it’s your birthday or special occasion.
·Beware of connecting flights: unless it’s saving you thousands of dollars using a connecting flight may be too much of a hassle. If you get delayed you may miss your connection and end up paying more and wasting valuable time.
·Book in the A.M.: early morning is the best time to book because customer traffic is light so your more likely to get better pricing and the dates you want.
·Use social media: Social media is a great way to hear about upcoming deals- just make sure you follow the page of the actual airline/hotel.
What do you think of these travel tips? Let us know if they were a help to you below.
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