Reading Time: 11 minutes Skyscanner Review: An Unbiased, Comprehensive Review
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Ever been down the rabbit hole of online travel booking? I have. It’s like venturing into a maze – weaving through countless websites, each displaying airfares that are so similar they could be twins.
The hours tick by as you click and scroll, your eyes start to glaze over, and your mind begins to blur the numbers together.
And just when you’re about to throw in the towel, you spot it: a price that’s finally cheaper.
It’s a victory, sure, but it’s a hard-earned one. You can’t help but think, “There has to be a better way.”
Imagine a tool that could do all this analysis for you, a tool that could dive into the depths of the internet and emerge with the best deals clutched in its digital hands.
Well, guess what? There’s no need to imagine anymore. That tool exists, and its name is Skyscanner.
This is not just another travel website. It’s a game-changer, a breath of fresh air, and quite possibly your new best friend in travel planning.
Let’s explore how Skyscanner can eliminate several steps in helping you find cheap deals on travel.
Table of Contents
Skyscanner’s Unique Features
Skyscanner has several unique features and a no-nonsense interface to help you find a cheap ticket or the best time to fly.
Skyscanner Usability
In the realm of online travel platforms, Skyscanner has consistently proven itself to be a standout.
Its user interface is sleek, intuitive, and uncluttered. Skyscanner has the normal search boxes and filters like number of stops, round-trip or one-way, departing airport, destination airport, and departure and arrival times.
Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature allows you to find the cheapest destinations from your chosen departure airport, which is incredibly useful for flexible travelers like myself. But I’ll come back to that in a minute.
Skyscanner’s Color Coding Map feature
I don’t know what to call this, but I love it. Some online travel agencies show the cheapest days to get a flight on their calendar. Skyscanner does it smarter. Instead, they color-coat the least expensive dates to fly.
Check it out. Their calendar view is intuitive. The green indicated the cheapest dates.
After seeing it, I can’t believe their competitors don’t copy the design.
Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” Feature Review
What sets Skyscanner apart from other platforms is its ‘Everywhere’ search feature.
It allows you to find the cheapest destinations from your chosen departure airport, which is incredibly useful for flexible travelers like myself.
You can simply enter your departure city, choose ‘Everywhere’ as your destination, and Skyscanner will provide a list of flight options to various destinations around the world, sorted by price.
This feature is incredibly useful for finding the best deals, especially for last-minute breaks. It provides the inspiration to make a decision.
The “Everywhere” feature is also available on the Skyscanner mobile app, offering the freedom to explore potential destinations on the go.
The Mobile Version is very intuitive. It also easily lets you choose filters like “Cheapest Flights”, “Direct Flights”, “Suggested For You”, “Beach”, “Great Food”, “Outdoor Activities”, “Nightlife and Entertainement”, and “Relaxation”.
“Explore Everywhere” is my favorite aspect of Skyscanner.
Skyscanner’s “Cheapest Month” Feature Review
The ‘Cheapest Month’ feature was awesome. It allowed me to search for the cheapest month to fly somewhere. But the Skyscanner Cheapest Month feature has been disabled. Hopefully it is temporary.
By choosing ‘Cheapest Month’ as your departure date, Skyscanner used to display a list of flight prices for each day of the cheapest month to travel. This way, you could easily identify the most cost-effective dates for your trip.
The “Cheapest Month” feature took the guesswork out of finding the best flight deals, making it easier to plan a budget-friendly trip. I miss this feature.
Skyscanner’s “Price Alerts” Feature Review
Skyscanner’s “Price Alerts” feature is a valuable tool for travelers keen on snagging the best deals.
This feature lets users track the pricing for a specific flight route and date. When you set up a price alert, Skyscanner monitors the fare for you and notifies you of any price changes.
The “Price Alerts” feature is praised for its effectiveness and user-friendly nature. By simply clicking on the price alerts tab, users can set up notifications and let Skyscanner do the monitoring work for them.
The convenience of receiving an email when the price changes means you’re always in the know and can book your flight when it suits your budget best.
An example of how much can be saved with a price alert largely depends on the specific route and time of booking.
Users have reported significant savings, with some even cutting their flight costs by half thanks to timely alerts.
The “Price Alerts” feature is like having a personal travel deal scout that helps save both time and money.
It eliminates the need to manually check flight prices daily, making it an essential tool for budget-conscious travelers and those with flexible travel dates.
Skyscanner’s “Price Alerts” feature is an excellent way to stay ahead of fluctuating flight prices and secure the best deals possible.
It’s a simple, effective strategy that could save you substantial money on your next trip.
Review Of Skyscanner’s “Savings Generator” Feature
Another unique feature of Skyscanner is the “Savings Generator”. The Savings Generator works by suggesting alternative travel dates or airports that could significantly reduce your overall travel costs.
Let’s say you’re planning a trip from New York to Paris. The tool might suggest that flying out a day earlier could save you a hefty sum, or that choosing a different nearby airport could slash your expenses even further.
What’s impressive is the level of customization this feature offers. You can set the maximum range of date flexibility and how far you’re willing to travel to alternative airports. This way, you’re always in control of your travel plans while still maximizing potential savings.
The Savings Generator is an innovative feature that truly sets Skyscanner apart from other booking platforms.
It takes the hard work out of hunting for deals, doing all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. If you’re serious about saving money on travel, I highly recommend giving this feature a try.
Why is Skyscanner So Cheap? Independence
Have you ever noticed that most travel sites have a similar look and feel, and often provide the same results? This is because the same parent companies often own them and draw from the same pool of options.
This distinction becomes more apparent when you look at the larger landscape of online travel platforms. For instance, Expedia Group owns Expedia, Orbitz, Trivago, Hotwire, and Travelocity.
While seemingly in competition, these brands offer the same pool of options dictated by their parent company. This can sometimes create an “illusion of choice,” where you look at similar results despite browsing different platforms.
The hunt for the best deal can often feel like a wild goose chase, repeatedly leading you back to the same options.
This is where Skyscanner’s independence shines. As an independent platform, Skyscanner is not tied to a specific set of airlines or booking agencies.
Unlike many other travel search platforms that are owned by parent companies with multiple other travel services, Skyscanner operates independently.
Instead, it searches across a wide range of providers and to find the best ticket price and deal for you.
This allows Skyscanner to provide unbiased results, offering a diverse range of options without favoring certain airlines or booking agencies.
What Is Better Skyscanner or Google Flights: Skyscanner vs Google Flights
You might be thinking, “This sounds a lot like Google Flights?” It’s true that Skyscanner and Google Flights are both big players in online flight booking.
So, let’s dive into a side-by-side comparison to see how they stack up.
When it comes to flexible searching, Skyscanner has an edge. Its advanced search allows for flexibility in travel dates.
For those with some leeway in their schedule, this can mean the difference between an okay deal and a great one.
In terms of user interface, Skyscanner is often praised for its intuitive design. The navigation is straightforward, the filters are clearly defined, and the results are easy to understand. These factors can make your trip planning a breeze.
Choosing between Skyscanner and Google Flights isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It really depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Each platform has its own strengths and caters to different aspects of the travel booking process.
But one thing is clear: Skyscanner could be your go-to if you’re looking for comprehensive search results that include low-cost carriers and third-party booking options.
At the end of the day, it’s about finding the tool that finds the cheapest flights. For many, Skyscanner fits the bill perfectly.
How Much Can You Save With Skyscanner: Estimating Savings with Skyscanner
Skyscanner has carved a niche for itself in the realm of online travel platforms, not just for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search results, but also for the significant savings it can offer its users.
Based on my research and experience using Skyscanner can lead to around 5% savings on the cost of flights. These savings vary depending on factors like the timing of the booking, the chosen route, and the flexibility of travel dates.
Skyscanner Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Independence: Skyscanner isn’t owned by one of the parent companies that owns many of the other travel sights. So Skyscanner is immune to the illusion of choice.
- Comprehensive Results: Skyscanner pulls data from numerous airlines and travel agencies, providing a wide range of available options.
- Transparent Pricing: Skyscanner is known for its transparency. The prices displayed include all mandatory fees and taxes, giving you a clear picture of your total expenses.
- Unique Features: Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ and ‘Cheapest Month’ (when it is available) features offer flexibility and spontaneity, which are great for flexible travelers.
Cons:
What are the weaknesses of Skyscanner?
- Price Fluctuations: As with any platform, prices can fluctuate based on demand and availability. Sometimes, the prices displayed initially might not be available when you go to book.
- Third-party Bookings: Many deals on Skyscanner redirect users to third-party sites, which could potentially lead to customer service issues.
When to Use Skyscanner over Competitors
Skyscanner shines for travelers who are flexible about their destination or travel dates. Its ‘Everywhere’ feature helps you discover the most affordable options.
Skyscanner’s independence ensures unbiased search results, providing an extensive range of flight options. Instead of searching all the travel sites and airlines sites, Skyscanner does it for you and finds the cheapest flights.
Is Skyscanner Available In The US
Skyscanner, while headquartered in the UK, has established a strong presence across the globe including in the US.
Thanks to its comprehensive database of airlines and travel agencies, it provides an excellent service for US travelers, offering a wide array of choices for domestic and international flights.
Mobile App Experience
The Skyscanner mobile app mirrors the ease-of-use and functionality of its desktop counterpart. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and it maintains a high rating on both platforms.
The ability to search for flights, hotels, and car rentals on-the-go makes travel planning even more convenient.
Skyscanner Customer Support
While Skyscanner does not provide direct bookings, it has a robust Help Center on its website. This includes guides on how to use the site, FAQs, and tips for booking flights, hotels, and car hire.
They also have a dedicated team for user support, offering assistance via email.
Sky Scanner Refunds And Cancellation
Skyscanner gets some negative reviews online. But it’s mostly due to misunderstanding who to reach out to.
Skyscanner itself is not a travel agency but a travel search engine, so it doesn’t directly handle bookings or manage cancellations and refunds.
You should contact the airline directly if you need to cancel or change your booking.
If you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, you may be entitled to a refund, which varies depending on the airline’s terms.
If your flight is canceled by the airline, you can typically seek a refund or rebook your flight.
Getting a full refund is unlikely if you miss a flight due to your own fault, such as late check-in.
Also, if you wish to cancel a flight within seven days of the departure date, the airlines might deduct some amount from the refund. The exact amount would depend on the airline’s specific policies.
While some users have reported difficulties in getting refunds from Skyscanner, remember that refunds are usually handled by the airline rather than Skyscanner.
Think about it like Google. Skyscanner is helping you find the deal, but they are just a search engine.
Therefore, understanding the airline’s website and policies when making a booking is crucial.
Skyscanner Hotels And Car Rentals
I lean on Skyscanner for its proficiency in finding the best flight deals. But, it also offers services for booking hotels and renting cars. these are two areas I must confess I haven’t yet explored.
Skyscanner’s hotel service promises to compare deals from all major travel websites to find you the best price.
The platform boasts a user-friendly interface that allows you to filter by price, star rating, guest rating, and amenities. Plus, there’s a map view to help you find the best location. Without personal experience, I can’t vouch for the accuracy or efficiency of these features.
Similarly, Skyscanner’s car rental service claims to offer a range of options from over 30,000 locations worldwide. Again, you can filter your search to suit your needs and preferences.
They assure that there are no hidden charges or credit card fees.
While I haven’t personally tested Skyscanner’s hotel and car rental services, they certainly seem to offer a comprehensive and potentially cost-effective solution for travelers.
If you’ve used these features, I’d love to hear about your experiences! Otherwise I will update this section after I try these features.
Conclusion: Is Skyscanner Legit?
Yes, Skyscanner is legit.
Skyscanner has changed the way I plan my travels. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive search results, unique features, and additional offerings make it a go to for finding deals on flights.
While there are minor challenges like fluctuating prices and reliance on third-party bookings, the benefits far outweigh these concerns.
For travelers who value flexibility, diversity of options, and a tool that finds the cheapest flights, Skyscanner is definitely worth considering.