When it’s time to plan a trip, I don’t want to get stuck switching between tabs or jumping through airline, hotel, and car rental websites just to find out what’s affordable. I also don’t love using online travel agencies I’ve never heard of, especially when it’s unclear what their fees or additional policies might be.
That’s why I often start my search at skyscanner. It is not an online travel agency; It is a metasearch tool that brings together results from more than a thousand travel providers so you can see everything in one place.
Once I find an itinerary I like, I click and book directly with the airline or hotel. That way, I continue to earn points and miles and use the loyalty benefits I get by having hotel elite status knowing I got a fair price.
Here’s how I use Skyscanner and why it’s become an important part of my travel planning process.
Finding inspiration when you don’t know where to go
Some of my favorite trips started without a destination in mind. “When I just want to get away, I use Skyscanner.”Explore everywhere“. I plug in my home airport, set flexible dates, and see what comes up. It sorts destinations by price and I can filter based on the type of trip I’m craving: beach, nightlife, adventure… you name it.
I also like the “Underrated Destinations” tab to spot places you may not have considered. A few years ago, I booked an unforgettable trip to Svalbard in northern Norway (the world’s northernmost airport with scheduled commercial flights) simply because I saw so many deals popping up. I built the entire trip around that affordable flight.
Call it: main character energy meets spontaneous adventure.
Use the ‘Cheapest Month’ feature to time my trips
Once I’ve chosen a destination, I use the “Cheapest Month” tool to see when the lowest fares tend to be. It’s a simple feature, but one that can make 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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Set up alerts and detect rate reductions
There are times when I’m eager to book a trip, but I see that the current prices are too high when I first search, so I put off booking.
Can I set an alert on skyscanner that will notify me when prices change. When they drop to a price that’s within my budget, I can pull the trigger on booking my next trip.
In the mobile app, there is also a feature called “Drops” that flags routes where fares have fallen by 20% or more. It’s like having a deal-seeking friend who never sleeps.
I also save searches so I can revisit them easily, especially for group trips where someone is still “thinking about it” in the group chat. When they finally say “yes”, my saved results will be ready.
Choose self-transfer fares to combine flights you would never have otherwise found
Not everyone is aware of this, but skyscanner also displays self-transfer fares, which combine separate flights from different airlines into a single, smart itinerary.
Instead of being limited to a single airline or alliance, you can unlock new route options and significant savings. You can view your entire trip, including details on stopovers and baggage rules, in a single search.
Here is an example. Let’s say you want to live out your “White Lotus” fantasy in Thailand. The latest season was filmed on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, but your airline of choice may only fly to Bangkok, the country’s capital, without offering connections to your final destination, as it doesn’t fly there or perhaps doesn’t partner or sell tickets with any airlines that do.
Skyscanner can show itinerary options that can fly to Samui International Airport (USM) via self-transfer, allowing you to choose the itinerary in one place, rather than going back and forth between your favorite airline and Thailand-based airlines to ensure you find an itinerary that works for you. If you need to change airports to make this connection, Skyscanner will notify you before you book your tickets.
Related: 5 hotels in Thailand to stay in for a ‘White Lotus’-inspired getaway
In a nutshell
Many people assume skyscanner It is an online travel agent, but it is actually more like a travel ally, a comparison tool with many interesting 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 appreciate self-transfer fares as they can bundle together flights from different airlines that other comparison tools might miss, allowing you to save money while traveling to lesser-known destinations.
I’m wary of booking through online travel agents, even if they show cheap travel results, because I don’t know what their change and cancellation policies and fees are (is it worth doing it to save $20?) and because I may not be able to use the benefits of Elite status or earn points and miles if I’ve booked through a third party. This is especially possible when staying in luxury hotels.
Instead, I love to save time and money by using an online comparison tool and then booking directly. I know exactly what I have booked and that I have found the best price.
