CheapOAir.com is currently regarded as one of the most popular travel websites out there. Experian Hitwise has consistently ranked CheapOAir.com as being among the top five online travel agencies. It is the perfect place for a traveler to find travel solutions that are of the highest value and lowest cost. CheapOAir.com is able to scan over 450 airlines in a matter of seconds with the help of their advanced, state-of-the-art technology and their strong supplier relationships. Each search conducted via CheapOAir.com provides customers with guaranteed best prices on flights, hotels, car rentals and vacation packages. CheapOAir.com really takes the stress out of planning a trip and makes it a much simpler process.
How Does It Work?
Like any other travel booking website, you can just head to their site, choose what category of booking you would like to make, enter your specific information, and search for what available prices and deals they can provide for you.
For customers that don’t have specific travel plans but are interested in seeing what options are available, they do have featured vacation packages and all inclusive deals that can simply be browsed through.
Cost/Price Plans
Costs and prices of flights and other travel arrangements will vary depending on your personal needs and preferences. However, they do offer a Best Price Guarantee to their customers.
This guarantee says that if you find a lower rate on another US based website within 24 hours of booking, they will either cancel your current itinerary and provide you with a full refund, or refund you the difference in price. You will have to provide them with proof that the bookings are identical except in price.
Refund Policy
Once you find the travel arrangements you would like to make and finalize them, you will have to work with the company from which you actually purchased the tickets or completed reservations to determine what refund options are available to you.
Customer Service
Customers who have questions, concerns, or complaints they would like to direct to their Customer Service team can contact them by phone, at 800-566-2345, by traditional mail at 135 W 50th Street, Suite 500, New York, NY 10020, or by submitting them directly to the website.
PROS
STREAMLINED BOOKING
CheapOair’s filtering tools enable you to quickly narrow your search to generate results that best match what you’re looking for. When you click on one of the results, you’re directed to a page with more detailed information. When you’re ready to book, just hit the Book Now button and you’ll be taken to a page where you can review all your information along with the estimated total cost of your trip. You can enter any coupon codes at this point. On the next page, you can add a rental car or schedule activities. There’s also the option to purchase travel insurance, which covers all sorts of travel-related emergencies such as illnesses and unforeseen cancellations. From there, all you need to do is enter your personal information and a credit card to pay for the trip and you’re all set. You receive a confirmation email from CheapOair and you can view your travel itinerary at any time online.
DISCOUNTS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF TRAVELERS
Students, seniors, and members of the military earn special savings when they book through CheapOair. Applicable coupon codes are listed on each group’s designated page, along with a list of suggested flights and vacation packages. For students, the emphasis is on keeping costs down. The seniors page lists a number of senior-friendly destinations and offers advice on how to go about finding even more savings. CheapOair also has a special section of their website for last-minute travelers, which lists some of the cheapest flights you can find on short notice. Individuals who fall into any of these groups should definitely check out their respective web pages before diving in to a search to potentially save some time and money.
BOOK YOUR TRIP ON THE GO
The CheapOair mobile app’s simple layout enables you to book flights and rental cars with ease. All the same filtering tools you see on the website are also on the mobile app, so you can filter by date, time, price, and more to find what works best for you. For those booking flights, you can also select your seats. In addition, you can manage your account settings from your phone and take advantage of their helpful travel tools, including the currency converter, packing list and baggage-fee tools. The mobile app also connects you to the CheapOair online community where you can get all kinds of advice on travel. Downloading and sharing the app is a good idea for anyone considering booking with CheapOair because you earn special discounts and can be entered into contests to win a free vacation. CheapOair’s mobile app is available for Apple and Android devices.
DEALS ON GROUP TRAVEL
Groups of 10 or more people can get help planning their vacation from one of CheapOair’s group-travel experts. To get started, fill out the Group Travel Request form on CheapOair’s website. List your travel dates, number of companions, and other relevant information. A representative then contacts you and goes over the details. You can also reach one of these experts by phone for more immediate assistance. They conduct all the research for you and find flights and hotels that match your search criteria. They even take care of booking. CheapOair provides special rates to all groups over 10 people, and this is very likely the most cost-effective route if you’re traveling with a large party.
OPTION TO PURCHASE TRAVEL PROTECTION
CheapOair has partnered with CSA Travel Protection to offer travel insurance to their customers booking flights, hotels, and other vacation packages. This is an optional add-on, but one that’s well worth considering. If an emergency arises and you have to leave early or the airline loses your luggage, travel insurance helps you cover these unexpected costs so you don’t have to pay for them out of pocket. A trip insurance policy also covers any medical treatment you may need while traveling outside of the country. Customers who decide they’re interested in purchasing trip protection can easily add it when they pay for their flight, hotel, or other travel package.
CONS
RELATIVELY HIGH SERVICE FEES
When booking a hotel through CheapOair, you not only have to pay the price for your room but also a service fee of over $30 per room per night. This fee isn’t included in the list price, so your actual total costs end up a bit higher than you anticipate. There are also service fees for booking flights and rental cars, though these aren’t quite as high. On average, though, CheapOair’s service fees are generally above average for the industry, especially considering some sites don’t charge any booking fees at all. On the plus side, CheapOair is relatively transparent about their fees, as you can find a list by visiting the Taxes & Fees section of their website.
NO ACTIVITY SEARCH
While you do have the option to add activities to your travel itinerary when completing the booking process, CheapOair doesn’t have a designated search tool to help you locate excursions in your area. Considering they offer deals on basically every other type of travel arrangement, this seems a bit unusual.
