Booking flights sounds simple… until you open 10 tabs and see 10 different prices.
Some say book through aggregators.
Some say always book direct.
Some say Google Flights is best.
So instead of guessing, I ran a real test.
I compared Google Flights, Skyscanner, and direct airline booking for the same route over multiple days to see which one is actually cheaper and safer.
Here’s what I found.
Route & Test Details
- Route: Delhi → Dubai
- Travel Class: Economy
- Baggage: 20–25kg check-in
- Tracking Period: 12 Days
- Booking Window: 45 days before departure
Platforms tested:
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Direct airline websites (like Emirates and IndiGo)
Day 1 Price Comparison
Here’s what I saw on the first day:
| Platform | Display Price | Final Checkout Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Flights | ₹18,950 | ₹18,950 | Redirected to airline |
| Skyscanner | ₹18,400 | ₹19,150 | OTA service fee added |
| Airline Website | ₹19,200 | ₹19,200 | Free seat selection (basic) |
Initial Winner: Skyscanner looked cheapest.
But final price changed after adding payment fees.
What Happened Over 12 Days?
Prices fluctuated daily. Here’s what I noticed:
1️⃣ Google Flights Was Fastest to Update
Whenever fares dropped, Google Flights reflected the change almost instantly.
It didn’t sell tickets directly.
Instead, it redirected to airline or OTA websites.
Best for:
- Tracking price changes
- Checking date flexibility
- Seeing historical trends
2️⃣ Skyscanner Showed Lowest “Starting” Prices
Skyscanner often displayed the cheapest option first.
But in many cases:
- Extra service fees were added at checkout
- Some OTAs increased price after redirect
- Refund policies were unclear
In 3 out of 7 checks, final price increased by ₹500–₹900.
3️⃣ Direct Airline Booking Was Most Transparent
When booking directly through airline websites:
✔️ No surprise service fees
✔️ Easier refund process
✔️ Better baggage clarity
✔️ Seat selection sometimes included
Even if base fare was ₹400–₹800 higher, final cost difference was often minimal.
Hidden Costs Most People Ignore
Here’s where many travelers lose money:
💼 Baggage Differences
Some cheaper OTAs showed “lite fare” without check-in baggage.
After adding baggage, price exceeded airline direct fare.
💳 Payment Gateway Charges
Certain third-party sites added:
- Convenience fee
- Payment processing fee
- Forex markup (for international sites)
🪑 Seat Selection
Airline direct sometimes included free basic seats.
OTAs charged extra.
Biggest Surprise From My Test
On Day 6:
Skyscanner showed ₹1,200 cheaper fare than airline website.
But at final checkout:
- Service fee added ₹850
- Payment charge added ₹300
Final difference? Only ₹50 cheaper — with stricter cancellation rules.
That’s when I realized:
“Cheapest” on homepage doesn’t always mean cheapest at payment page.
Final Results After 12 Days
✔️ Cheapest Upfront Display: Skyscanner
✔️ Most Transparent Final Price: Airline Website
✔️ Best for Tracking Trends: Google Flights
✔️ Safest Booking Experience: Direct Airline
So What Should You Actually Use?
Here’s my personal strategy now:
- Search dates on Google Flights
- Compare price on Skyscanner
- Always check airline website before final payment
- Compare final checkout price — not homepage price
This method saved me ₹900 on this route.
When Should You Avoid OTAs?
Avoid third-party booking if:
- You are booking peak season travel
- You may need cancellation
- You are traveling with family
- Visa timing is uncertain
In such cases, direct booking reduces stress later.
