Why You Should NOT Book flights with Booking.com or GoToGate.com

[SYD]

My Citibank credit card has 5% off international flights from Australia with no blackout dates on Trip.com

I think one of my cards does also.

OT, but it's becoming sooo hard trying to keep tabs on what cards are offering promo discount codes, cash backs...etc. I'm sure I've made a few "travel mistakes" forgetting to use one or another....

 

[kangarooflyer88]

A timely resurrection of this subject. I am trying to book an Indigo flight from Agra to Mumbai. I can't do it on the Indigo site because they want my indian GST number which I don't have. From google these OTAs sell the flight.
View attachment 453595

Are any of these reliable or better does anyone know how to book a domestic Indigo flight as a foreigner.

Can’t you book indigo flights through Qantas?

 

[SYD]

Can’t you book indigo flights through Qantas?

No. Not standalone.

Only as part of QF inbound/outbound bookings.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

No. Not standalone.

Only as part of QF inbound/outbound bookings.

I thought they were a classic award partner. Apparently that is only possible if booked in conjunction with a Qantas operated award flight which has the added benefit of earning Qantas status credits on that segment provided you are a Points Club membe

 

[SYD]

I thought they were a classic award partner. Apparently that is only possible if booked in conjunction with a Qantas operated award flight which has the added benefit of earning Qantas status credits on that segment provided you are a Points Club membe

OP was looking at $ bookings not CRs. But yes, standalone CRs could be an option for some.

 

[drron]

I thought they were a classic award partner. Apparently that is only possible if booked in conjunction with a Qantas operated award flight which has the added benefit of earning Qantas status credits on that segment provided you are a Points Club membe

classic awards only on International flights not on domestic flights. I did try,failed and asked. no go.

 

[n7of9]

The last time I used any of these booking sites was 2007. I turned up at the airport in La Paz, Bolivia for my flight home to find it had been cancelled. I wasn't notified and no alternative arrangements had been made. The airline told me I needed to contact my 'travel agent'. Trying to contact Expedia was a poopshow, and I'd probably used them because the flight cost was $50 cheaper, and I thought I was smart.

 

[AIRwin]

Booking.com has been our number one for booking service for many years. I have booked accommodation multiple times using this site and have never had an issue until this year.

'It's a nightmare': Complaints pile up over Booking.com grievances

Hundreds of complaints against Booking.com are piling up as customers and hosts allege they've lost money, their property has been trashed and no one is taking responsibility.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Saab34]

I’ve been trying to book directly in recent times, I even contact the hotel and screenshot the cheaper Expedia/booking price and see if they will match it, most times they do.

I’ve never booked a flight outside of an airline website and I don’t know why people book on some of these third party sites. Sadly many not so experienced get caught in the Google marketing they push so book via these, my old folks are inexperienced with technology and nearly booked a few times until I stopped them.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve been trying to book directly in recent times, I even contact the hotel and screenshot the cheaper Expedia/booking price and see if they will match it, most times they do.

I’ve never booked a flight outside of an airline website and I don’t know why people book on some of these third party sites. Sadly many not so experienced get caught in the Google marketing they push so book via these, my old folks are inexperienced with technology and nearly booked a few times until I stopped them.

Because sometimes OTAs have volume discounts that make it worth while.

I used Aunt Betty (subsidiary of Fright Centre) to book tickets to Bali, considerable saving over going via the GA website. It was close enough in that I wasn’t expecting to cancel or change.

Trip.com is also good for flight bookings, never had an issue, and customer service seems to be good for folks I know that have needed it.

As for hotels… Agoda is usually super cheap in Asia. And I can’t be bothered calling the hotel. Only exception is Hilton, book direct for the status benefits.

 

[VPS]

The lady who had the accident in Japan

She tried to get a refund from Booking.com for accommodation in Tokyo but that request was denied because there was a "no cancellation" clause.

I think that should have been TI not Booking.com issue

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The lady who had the accident in Japan

She tried to get a refund from Booking.com for accommodation in Tokyo but that request was denied because there was a "no cancellation" clause.

I think that should have been TI not Booking.com issue

Agree 100%. That’s what TI is for.

Unfair to single out booking.com for that reason.

But the ABC is pretty good at click bait these days. Or is it just a case of not being able to think?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Has anyone noticed Agoda (which is one of the subsidiaries) undercuts Qantas domestic airfares? Ive tried it a few times and its worked well though again I didn't need to change the flights or anything like that

 

[burmans]

As for hotels… Agoda is usually super cheap in Asia. And I can’t be bothered calling the hotel. Only exception is Hilton, book direct for the status benefits.

Have never quite worked out how Agoda is so much cheaper than booking.com (despite the same owners hence probably get the same inventory) but agree. Recent Asian trip Agoda cheaper most of the time but trip.com in some cases.

 

[RooFlyer]

Trip.com is also good for flight bookings, never had an issue, and customer service seems to be good for folks I know that have needed it.

Like booking with Jetstar. These sites are good and cheap and great until something goes wrong and then it’s often a complete *** show which can have serious consequences for a holiday

 

[AuSammy]

Have never quite worked out how Agoda is so much cheaper than booking.com (despite the same owners hence probably get the same inventory) but agree. Recent Asian trip Agoda cheaper most of the time but trip.com in some cases.

I usually book through hotels.com on the occasions I can’t get a really good deal direct. They price match anything on booking.com and i get a “free” room every 10th night. Haven’t used booking.com for many years. [NB: I don’t pursue or care about status benefits that may or may not be granted]

 

[Saab34]

So booking these cheaper JQ/QF fares via these third parties, do you still get a JQ/QF reference number that you can then login to the airlines site?

If not, how is this even ticketed? Are they investing marketing revenue into lower airfares or something? As I see most of these third party providers don’t have any agreements with the airlines.

 

[AuSammy]

So booking these cheaper JQ/QF fares via these third parties, do you still get a JQ/QF reference number that you can then login to the airlines site?

If not, how is this even ticketed? Are they investing marketing revenue into lower airfares or something? As I see most of these third party providers don’t have any agreements with the airlines.

….and how does it work when JQ (and QF?) have a price match guarantee

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So booking these cheaper JQ/QF fares via these third parties, do you still get a JQ/QF reference number that you can then login to the airlines site?

If not, how is this even ticketed? Are they investing marketing revenue into lower airfares or something? As I see most of these third party providers don’t have any agreements with the airlines.

Yes of course! You can access your booking as normal.

No different to going into your local travel agent, or flight centre.

Travel agents need to have agreements with the airline to act as their agent. Otherwise the airline wouldn’t be able to bill them for the tickets, or collect commissions, etc.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

….and how does it work when JQ (and QF?) have a price match guarantee

The price match guarantee is a separate product.

I dunno how agents action it. If they even can?

If they can’t, it’s up to the passenger to meet the eligibility requirements and claim the match rather than going through an agent.