Is Skyscanner Legit? (Beware Before Booking)

Last Updated: August 7, 2023

If you are looking for the cheapest flight deals, you may have come across Skyscanner.

But, is it actually legit and reliable, or a scam waiting to take your hard-earned money?

In this blog post, I am going to cover EXACTLY that, as well as, the things you must be aware of before booking through Skyscanner.

So, let’s uncover the truth!

Is Skyscanner Legit?

Skyscanner is for sure a legitimate company as it is owned by Trip.com Group, one of the leading companies in the online travel industry. However, it does not take responsibility for bookings made through its platform.

In case you’re wondering, why? Here’s the reason:

Unlike online travel agencies such as Agoda, Booking.com, SuperTravel, and Gotogate, Skyscanner is not a booking platform itself.

Instead, it is a travel search engine that aggregates information and compares rates from different sources such as airlines and online travel agencies to help you find the best possible prices on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Skyscanner itself does not facilitate transactions or bookings directly.

When you search for flights or other travel services on Skyscanner, it just provides you with a comprehensive list of booking options that can be sorted and filtered according to your personal preferences.

Then by selecting a particular result, Skyscanner will show you all the booking options from various airlines and travel agents.

And once you have selected your preferred travel agent or airline, Skyscanner will redirect you to their website where the actual transaction takes place.

Skyscanner won’t have access or visibility to any of your booking information, which is why they don’t take responsibility for bookings made via its platform.

So if any issues arise with your bookings or you need to make changes, cancellations, or get a refund, do not expect any help from Skyscanner.

Instead, reach out to your respective travel provider (airline or travel agent) with whom you completed your booking since they are fully responsible for your booking.

Now as far as the legitimacy of Skyscanner is concerned, it is undoubtedly a legitimate and reliable company as it has been operating since 2003 and scam companies don’t survive this long.

Furthermore, Skyscanner is used by more than 100 million travelers every month and they have established partnerships with over 1200 travel providers, including airlines, online travel agencies, hotels, and car rental companies.

With over 100 million users per month and 1200 travel providers being partners with them, how could this company be a scam?

Moreover, it is owned and operated by one of the leading companies in the travel industry, Trip.com Group, who also owns Trip.com, Ctrip, and Qunar.

Apart from these solid facts, I’ve personally used Skyscanner several times and it is my go-to tool for finding the best possible prices on flights and other travel services.

So, Should You Use Skyscanner?

Definitely, because there is no reason not to use Skyscanner.

Not only is it free, but also helps you save both time and money when searching for the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals.

So why not use it and take advantage of its service?

However, don’t rely on Skyscanner for your bookings since it is not responsible for them nor guarantees the reliability of its partner travel providers.

It’s ultimately up to you to do your own due diligence about your preferred airline or online travel agency listed on Skyscanner.

However, I highly recommend you to AVOID BOOKING FLIGHTS through any online travel agency, regardless of whether they are from those listed on Skyscanner or not.

I am referring to online travel agencies in general, not just those listed on Skyscanner.

Here’s why:

While online travel agencies typically offer cheaper rates than airlines, booking flights through them can complicate any mishaps, including changes, cancellations, and refunds, due to the involvement of a third party.

Here’s what I mean:

Online travel agencies basically act as a middleman between you and the airline.

Being a middleman, they collect your payment and are therefore responsible for your booking, not the airline you booked with since your contract is not directly with them, it is with the online travel agency.

So if something goes wrong with your booking and you need any help, you will have to contact your online travel agency who will then reach out to the airline you are booked with, and then get back to you.

This makes the whole process of resolving any issues more complicated to resolve since you’re most probably going to be stuck in a lot of back-and-forths between your online travel agent and airline.

Similarly, if you need to make changes, cancellations, and get a refund for your booking, it gets complicated since an intermediary is involved (online travel agency).

That’s why I highly recommend you to book your flights directly with the airline rather than through any online travel agency, even reputable ones such as Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, and Kiwi.com.

8 Tips To Get The Most Out of Skyscanner

Here are seven tips to help you make the most out of Skyscanner:

1. Use The “Whole Month” Feature

If you don’t need to fly on specific dates, use Skyscanner’s “Whole Month” search feature to find the cheapest prices across an entire month.

2. Use the “Everywhere” Feature 

If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t have a specific destination in mind, use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature that lets you search for unbelievable prices for flights to hidden gems all over the world.

3. Use the “Multi-City” Search 

If you’re planning a trip with multiple destinations, use the “Multi-City” search to find the cheapest route. This can be a great way to save money and time on your travels.

4. Set Up Price Alerts

If you have a specific destination and travel date in mind but aren’t ready to book yet, set up a price alert for that trip. 

Skyscanner will notify you if the price drops, so you can snag a deal.

5. Consider Alternative Airports 

When searching for flights, consider alternate airports near your destination. You may be able to find cheaper flights.

6. Look For Promo Codes

Skyscanner occasionally offers promo codes that can save you money on your booking. Make sure to check their website and social media pages for any current promotions.

7. Use Skyscanner’s Mobile App

The Skyscanner app is a convenient way to search for and book flights, hotels, and rental cars on the go. You can also use the app to get exclusive deals and discounts.

8. Book Directly & Double-Check Everything

Skyscanner’s prices often don’t include extra fees such as baggage or tax fees, therefore, it’s always a good idea to book your flights directly from the airline’s website or app and double-check everything to avoid any unwanted surprises.

There you have it!

By following these tips, you can get the most out of Skyscanner and make your travel experience satisfactory.

Conclusion

So yes, Skyscanner is completely legit, but as a travel search engine, it is not responsible for your bookings made via its platform.

The airline or the online travel agency you’re booking with via Skyscanner is solely responsible for your bookings.

Therefore, you should use Skyscanner just to find the best travel deals across different airlines and online travel agencies and then do your due diligence about your preferred airline or online travel agency.

Make sure your chosen airline, especially the online travel agency, is reliable and trustworthy.

Typically, airlines are reliable for booking flights, but online travel agencies aren’t since they are also dependent on airlines, which makes things even more difficult to resolve.

Therefore, I strongly recommend you to book your flights directly with the airlines, even if it costs you higher than online travel agencies.

The most effective approach is to discover the best flight deals via Skyscanner and then book directly with the airline.

Just make sure to follow the tips shared above to get the most out of Skyscanner.

Got any questions?

Feel free to let me know in the comments below.