An alternative to Kayak?
Sep 27th, 2017, 03:02 AM
#1
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An alternative to Kayak?
I have frequently used Kayak to plan for flights and especially liked not only the various filters but also the possibility to see variations in prices over a number of days. Maybe I did not follow the booking link but it gave me input to change my schedule to get better prices especially for long trips to the US or the Far East.
However, Kayak has now eliminated the price differential over a number of days. Some airlines still show variations in price over a number of days (British Airways, Swiss etc) but obviously this is a single airline.
Is or are there alternatives to Kayak which show multiple dates?
However, Kayak has now eliminated the price differential over a number of days. Some airlines still show variations in price over a number of days (British Airways, Swiss etc) but obviously this is a single airline.
Is or are there alternatives to Kayak which show multiple dates?
Sep 27th, 2017, 03:59 AM
#2
Use ITA, which is the engine behind Kayak. http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ . You can do month-long searches, or given days plus/minus 2 days. If you learn ITA's "syntax" you can specify preferred routes or airlines, stopovers or connections, alliances, arrival times and departures... many, many variables. It's well worth the effort to learn how to use this very powerful tool.
ITA got bought by Google a couple of years ago, and have linked it (sort of loosely) with Google Flights. You can't book directly through ITA like you can with Kayak, but using Google flights you can. So you use ITA to see the full breadth of your options, then use Google flights (or better, just go to the airline's website or call them) to book the trip.
ITA got bought by Google a couple of years ago, and have linked it (sort of loosely) with Google Flights. You can't book directly through ITA like you can with Kayak, but using Google flights you can. So you use ITA to see the full breadth of your options, then use Google flights (or better, just go to the airline's website or call them) to book the trip.
Sep 27th, 2017, 04:22 AM
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Sep 27th, 2017, 04:45 AM
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I too always use ITA and have very successfully found great airfares since we normally have some flexibility. One issue though is that sometimes (not too often) it finds routings I can't find elsewhere. The site can be slow at times, but I can wait a bit.
Sep 27th, 2017, 07:59 AM
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Skyscanners was, in my opinion, by far the most effective flight search site around. Spent years booking flights with them.
However, after selling out and changing their software I wouldn't even bother to log on. Just a waste of time.
I have found flights directly the airlines' own sites which don't appear on search engines.
Delta offered us The Bahamas next EASTER with one stop for £550 which is just unbelievable. The best price on on search engines was £2000 per ticket, economy.
Still finding 8 months out is the best time to book.
However, after selling out and changing their software I wouldn't even bother to log on. Just a waste of time.
I have found flights directly the airlines' own sites which don't appear on search engines.
Delta offered us The Bahamas next EASTER with one stop for £550 which is just unbelievable. The best price on on search engines was £2000 per ticket, economy.
Still finding 8 months out is the best time to book.
Sep 29th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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I beg to differ about 8 months out being the best pricing. IF you are flexible, a month or so beforehand can get you fabulous prices. I have consistently had success with this. I use ITA software flexible dates search. Last winter we did a complicated USA midwest into Yangon in Myanmar and out of Kuala Lumpur back to the US for around $750. We just arrived in Italy on flights I booked a month ago using ITA's flexible search. Midwest USA roundtrip to Rome $610.
