One thing about searching the web for flights: you have options and lots of them. From popular airlines to sites with package deals to aggregators that compare results from both, it’s hard to tell what sets it all apart.
That’s why we’re breaking down the differences between booking direct, online travel agencies (OTAs) and metasearch engines so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Metasearch (that’s us).
KAYAK is a metasearch engine. That means we find flights from 100s of sites (including airlines and OTAs) to help you snag the best deal.
Metasearch highlights:
- Transparency: We only show the most current prices from airlines, OTAs and even other metasearch engines, so you can compare options.
- Flexibility: We help you weigh your decisions, giving you the freedom to book direct with airlines or through OTAs, depending on where the better deal is.
- Cash-saving tools: From Flexible Dates to Price Alerts to KAYAK Explore, we’ve got more than one way to keep you on budget.
Good to know:
- Searching with KAYAK doesn’t equal booking with KAYAK. We’re never the merchant of record – that would be the airline or OTA. So if you need to cancel or change your flight, they’re your point of contact.
Online travel agencies (OTAs).
Sites that sell flights, hotels, rental cars and more (often as package deals) are OTAs. Think of them like a one-stop travel shop.
OTA highlights:
- Bundling: Some OTAs let you package flights with hotels or cars for extra savings.
- Customer support: Most OTAs offer 24/7 support and sometimes their own cancellation or refund policies.
- Exclusive discounts: You’ll often find lower prices on OTAs (usually because they negotiate them with partners).
Good to know:
- When you book with an OTA, you’re subject to their terms *not* the airline’s. Be sure to check each site’s policies and reach out to their customer support if you need to adjust your booking.
Booking direct.
For ride-or-die airline loyalists, booking direct’s the way to go.
Booking direct highlights:
- Easy booking management: Whether in-app, online or over the phone, it’s usually simpler to manage your flight with airlines.
- Loyalty perks: If you’re a frequent flier or have airline status, you might get credit or miles for the trip.
- Direct customer service: No middlemen, just the airline’s team.
Good to know:
- Slower searching: You won’t know if another airline (or OTA) has a better price or route unless you shop around.
- Fewer deals: Sticking to one airline might mean missing out on deals offered by OTAs or metasearch sites.
Note: There are times when you can book with OTAs or airlines without leaving KAYAK but we’re still not responsible for the sale. Think of it like using your phone to pay for a purchase.
So… what’s the best option?
That’s up to you. But if you were to ask us, we’d say KAYAK’s your best bet for:
- Seeing all your options in one place
- Comparing prices from both airlines and OTAs
- Using tools like Price Alerts, Explore and Flexible Dates to score better deals
TL;DR.
KAYAK shows you the best flight options and lets you decide how to book. Want to see why planning travel’s better with us? Start a flight search and try filtering by airline or booking site.
FAQs.
Short answer: you don’t book with KAYAK. You book through KAYAK, meaning we help you find flights, and book them with your site of choice (whether that’s an airline, OTA, or another partner).
We work with a wide range of travel providers, including well-known OTAs and some smaller sellers that may offer better prices. And you can always filter results to include or exclude certain booking sites.
Yes. You can filter for any site or airline you want to book with. Just look for the “Booking Sites” filter and select the sites you want to see (or deselect the ones you’d rather avoid).
Sometimes, yes, especially if you want more flexibility or plan on changing your flight. That’s why we show both airline and OTA options, side by side. Switch on the “Airlines only” filter to exclude OTAs and other partners from search results.
Because we’re not the ones selling tickets. If you ever need to change or cancel your booking, you’ll need to go through the site you booked with – that could be the airline or an OTA. We know that this can get confusing, so we try to make it clear during checkout who you’re actually booking with.
Our Price Calendar and Price Alerts tools use historical and real-time data to make educated guesses about whether prices will rise or fall. They’re not perfect, but they are one of the best ways to track and book smarter (and hey, they’re free).
Obviously, we could go on and on about what makes KAYAK great, but here are five good reasons:
- Compare 100s of travel sites in seconds
- Search multiple routes and date options in one search to find the best deal
- Know the best time to book with real-time Price Alerts
- Find what actually works for you (like nonstop only flights or bags included) with KAYAK filters
- Access private flight deals on the KAYAK App
We’re powered by two things:
- Commissions: When you click through to a partner (like an airline or OTA) and book, we may earn a commission, either per click or per booking. It doesn’t cost you extra.
- Advertising: Some partners promote their results on KAYAK (similar to sponsored listings). If something’s sponsored, we’ll label it clearly.
We’re not here to sell you flights. We’re here to show you all your options – whether they earn us money or not. That’s what makes us a metasearch engine, not a booking site.
