When it’s time to plan a trip, I don’t want to get stuck switching between tabs or hopping between airlines, hotels, and car rental sites just to find somewhere affordable. I also don’t like using an online travel agency I’ve never heard of, especially when it’s not clear what their additional fees or policies might be.
That’s why I often start my search on Skyscanner. It is not an online travel agency; It’s a metasearch tool that aggregates results from over a thousand travel providers so I can see everything in one place.
Once I find an itinerary I like, I click through and book directly with the airline or hotel. This way, I can still earn points and miles and use the loyalty benefits I get from hotel elite status while knowing I’m getting a fair price.
Here’s how I use Skyscanner and why it’s an important part of my travel planning process.
Looking for inspiration when I don’t know where to turn
Some of my favorite trips have taken place without a destination in mind. When I just want to get away, I use Skyscanner’s Explore Everywhere feature. I plugged in the power at my home airport, set a flexible date, and saw what happened. It ranks destinations by price, and I can filter by the type of trip I’m craving: beaches, nightlife, adventure… you name it.
I also like the “Underrated Destinations” tab for discovering places I might not have considered. A few years ago I booked an unforgettable trip to Svalbard in northern Norway (the northernmost airport in the world with regular commercial flights) simply because I saw a great deal. My entire trip revolved around this affordable flight.
Call it a combination of protagonist energy and spontaneous adventure.
Plan my trip using the “cheapest month” feature
Once I’ve chosen a destination, I use the “Cheapest Months” tool to see when fares are typically lowest. It’s a simple feature that makes a big difference.
Instead of guessing when to book a trip to Tokyo or Lisbon, Portugal, I can see at a glance which months are likely to offer the best value and plan my paid time off accordingly.
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Related: The 10 best places to travel in December
Set alerts and catch fare drops
Sometimes I’m tempted to book a trip, but the first time I search I find that current prices are too high, so I put off booking.
I can set alerts on Skyscanner to notify me when prices change. When the price falls within my budget, I can start booking my next trip.
On the mobile app, there’s also a feature called “Drops” that flags routes where fares have dropped by 20% or more. It’s like having a deal-hunting friend who never sleeps.
I also save searches so I can revisit them easily – especially for group trips where someone is still “thinking” in the group chat. When they finally said yes, my saved results were ready to use.
Choose a self-service transfer fare to combine flights or I would never have found it
Not everyone knows this, but Skyscanner also displays self-transfer fares, which combine separate flights from different airlines into one smart itinerary.
You can unlock new routing options and save big without being locked into one carrier or alliance. You can view your entire journey with just one search, including details of stopovers and baggage regulations.
Here is an example. Let’s say you want to live out your “White Lotus” fantasy in Thailand. The latest season is filmed on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, but the airline you choose may only fly to the country’s capital, Bangkok, and not offer connecting services to your final destination because it doesn’t fly there itself, or it may not partner with and sell tickets to any airlines that do.
Skyscanner shows you options for trips with self-service transfers all the way to Koh Samui International Airport (USM), letting you choose your trip from one place without having to jump between your favorite airlines and Thai Airways, ensuring you find the trip that’s right for you. If you need to change airports to make a connection, Skyscanner will notify you before you book your flight.
Related: 5 hotels in Thailand for a “White Lotus” style vacation experience
bottom line
Many people think of Skyscanner as an online travel agency, but it’s actually more of a travel ally, a comparison tool with many neat features.
If you know exactly where you want to go, it can show you the cheapest months, alert you when prices drop, and send Drops for the cheapest flight deals. I really like self-service transfer fares because they piece together flights from different airlines that other comparison tools might miss, allowing you to save money when traveling to lesser-known destinations.
I’m wary of booking through an online travel agency, even if they show cheaper travel results, both because I don’t know what their change and cancellation policies and fees are (is it worth saving $20 by doing this?), and because I might not be able to use elite status benefits or earn points and miles if I book through a third party. This is especially possible when staying in a luxury hotel.
Instead, I like to save time and money by using online comparison tools and then booking direct. I knew exactly what I booked and I found the best price.
