PriceLine Vs SkyScanner: Traveling on a Budget

Traveling the world is a dream for many, but for most of us, this dream comes with budget restraints. Fortunately, with various cheap flight finder option, it has never been easier to save time and money when looking for the most affordable travel options for your next trip.

Numerous tools and platforms can help us save time and money when booking flights and accommodations. Two popular options for US travelers looking for cheap flights are Priceline and Skyscanner.

In our Priceline Flight vs SkyScanner reviews below, we will explore both the pros and cons of both platforms, aiming to answer the burning question: which cheap hotels and flight finder is better for budget-conscious travelers?

PriceLine vs SkyScanner Reviews

Both SkyScanner and Priceline have developed a strong online following amongst travelers who want to source cheap flights, cruises, hotels, and car rentals without investing the hours it takes to research offers across various websites and airlines.

What is PriceLine?

PriceLine is a well-established online travel agency that has been helping travelers across the globe find the best deals on flights, hotels, as well as rental cars for decades. It became known for its "Name Your Own Price" feature, which allowed users to bid on hotel rooms and rental cars. However, this service has been discontinued. However, the site is still a fantastic place for potentially scoring significant discounts on Flights, Hotels, Cruises, Rental Cars, and Travel Bundles.

The PriceLine Price Match Guarantee:

Priceline's best price guarantee can save you money on various travel services like airfare, cruises, hotels, and rental cars. Joining the Priceline VIP Rewards Program unlocks this feature. Here's how it works:

• Airfare: If you find a lower airfare within 24 hours of booking through Priceline, they'll refund the price difference.
• Cruises: The same guarantee applies to cruise bookings; if you spot a better deal within 24 hours of reserving your cruise, Priceline refunds the difference.
• Hotels: For hotel bookings, if you find a better rate within 24 hours of booking, Priceline refunds the price difference.
• Rental Cars: Priceline also guarantees the best price for rental car bookings; if you discover a better price within 24 hours, they'll refund the difference.

Additionally, if you uncover a superior rate on an Express Deal before midnight on your travel day, Priceline will reimburse you for up to 200% of the price difference, enhancing your savings.

The PriceLine VIP Loyalty Program:

Priceline offers various ways to save when booking, and one of these is through the Priceline VIP loyalty program. This program offers extra discounts, coupons, premium customer service, and more to its members.

The Priceline VIP program consists of four elite status tiers: Member, Blue, Gold, and Platinum. You can join this program for free by simply creating an account with Priceline.

Here's a breakdown of how to earn each level of Priceline elite status and the benefits they provide:

Member:

• How to Earn: Sign up for the program.
• VIP Rental Car Discounts: Up to 10%.
• Hotel Savings: Up to 10%.
• Insider Coupons: Receive a 5% Express Deal coupon after every trip.
• Premium Customer Service: Not applicable at this level.

Blue:

• How to Earn: Complete two trips with Priceline.
• VIP Rental Car Discounts: Up to 15%.
• Hotel Savings: Up to 50% for bookings with over 15,000 hotels.
• Insider Coupons: Receive a 5% Express Deal coupon after every trip.
• Premium Customer Service: Not applicable at this level.

Gold:

• How to Earn: Complete five trips with Priceline (also automatically granted to Priceline Rewards Visa Card holders).
• VIP Rental Car Discounts: Up to 20%.
• Hotel Savings: Up to 50% on over thirty thousand hotels.
• Insider Coupons: Receive an 8% Express Deal coupon after every trip.
• Premium Customer Service: Priority customer service.

Platinum:

• How to Earn: Complete 25 trips with Priceline.
• VIP Rental Car Discounts: Up to 20%.
• Hotel Savings: Up to 50% on over forty-five thousand hotels.
• Insider Coupons: Receive a 10% Express Deal coupon after every trip.
• Premium Customer Service: Priority premium customer service.

While Priceline VIP doesn't offer perks like seat upgrades or complimentary amenities, it focuses on providing discounts and savings to its members. For travelers who prioritize cost savings over additional amenities, these discounts can be extremely valuable.

What is SkyScanner?

Skyscanner, on the other hand, is a travel search engine that aggregates data from various airlines, online travel agencies, and booking sites. Its primary focus is on finding the best flight deals for users, making it a go-to choice for travelers looking for cheap airfares.

Skyscanner also boasts a user-friendly interface and offers a wide range of travel options for users to filter and refine their search results.

Sky Scanner Flight Alerts:

As of today, Skyscanner offers flight alerts as a valuable feature to help travelers monitor and track flight prices. These flight alerts are designed to notify users when there are changes in the price of a specific flight route. Here's how Skyscanner flight alerts typically work:

1. Search for a Flight: Start by searching for a specific flight route on Skyscanner's website or mobile app. You can then enter your departure and destination cities, ideal travel dates, and other travel preferences to find the flights that match your criteria.
2. Set Up a Flight Alert: Once you've found a flight that interests you, you can set up a flight alert for that particular route. Look for an option that allows you to "Get Price Alerts" or something similar, usually located near the flight listing.
3. Enter Contact Information: To receive alerts, you'll need to provide either your email address or your mobile phone number. Skyscanner will use this information to notify you about changes in flight prices for the route you've selected.
4. Monitor Price Changes: Skyscanner's system will continuously track the prices for the flight route you're interested in. If there are significant changes in the fare, you will receive notifications. These notifications can include price drops or increases.
5. Booking Opportunity: When you receive an alert about a price drop that matches your budget, you can click on the notification to view the flight details and proceed with booking the flight at the lower fare.
6. Customization: Skyscanner often allows users to customize their flight alerts by setting a specific target price, target minute flights, or budget. You can adjust these settings to receive alerts only when the fare falls within your desired range.

SkyScanner User Reviews and Ratings:

The SkyScanner platform also provides a platform for travelers to share their experiences and opinions by leaving ratings and reviews for the following:

1. Flights: Users could rate and review specific flights they had taken. These reviews often included feedback on the airline, flight duration, comfort, service, and overall experience.
2. Airlines: Travelers could also leave ratings and reviews for airlines as a whole. These reviews might cover aspects such as customer service, in-flight amenities, on-time performance, and more.
3. User Feedback: Skyscanner's review section often allowed users to share valuable insights and tips with others, helping fellow travelers make informed decisions when booking flights.

How to Book a SkyScanner or PriceLine Flight

Booking a flight on PriceLine of SkyScanner is a straightforward and streamlined process. Here are the steps to follow on each website.

Booking a Priceline Flight:

1. Visit the PriceLine Website: Navigate to the PriceLine website or open the mobile app.
2. Enter Your Travel Details: Fill in your departure dates and destination cities, return dates, and the number of passengers.
3. Browse Flight Options: PriceLine will display a list of the best available flights based on your criteria. You can filter results by various factors, such as price, airline, and layovers.
4. Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that best suits your needs and budget.
5. Complete Your Booking: Enter your payment details and passenger information to complete the booking. PriceLine offers the option to add hotels and rental cars to your itinerary if needed.
6. Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details before confirming your booking.

How to Book a Flight on SkyScanner

Booking a flight on Skyscanner is equally user-friendly:

1. Go to the Skyscanner Website: Visit the Skyscanner website or use the mobile app.
2. Enter Your Travel Information: Input your departure and destination cities, travel dates, and passenger numbers.
3. Search for Flights: Skyscanner will search for available flights from various sources.
4. Filter and Compare: Use the filters and sorting options to refine your search results and compare flight options.
5. Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that meets your preferences regarding price, timing, and airline.
6. Redirect to Booking Site: Skyscanner will redirect you to the airline's website or travel agency offering the selected flight.
7. Complete Your Booking: Follow the booking process on the external website, providing your payment and passenger details.
8. Review and Confirm: Before confirming your booking, review all the information to ensure accuracy.

Which is Best for Cheap Flights? PriceLine vs SkyScanner

Now, the million-dollar question: which platform is better for finding cheap flights? The answer depends on your personal travel preferences and priorities.

PriceLine Standout Benefits:

• PriceLine's Price Match Guarantee ensures that you won't pay more than necessary for your bookings.
• The platform's loyalty and reward programs can provide additional value on the best flights for frequent travelers.

Skyscanner Highlight Features:

• The ability to set fare alerts and track prices over time can help you snag the best flight deal.
• User reviews and ratings provide valuable insights into the quality of flights and airlines.

Suppose you're primarily concerned with finding the absolute lowest price for your flights and appreciate the flexibility to choose from multiple options. In that case, Skyscanner might be the better choice for a good deal. On the other hand, if you value the potential for significant savings through PriceLine's Price match feature or prefer the convenience of booking flights, cheap hotels, and rental cars all in one place, PriceLine could be your top pick.

Takeaway: Priceline Vs Skyscanner: Traveling on a Budget

In the eternal quest for the best travel deals, PriceLine and Skyscanner stand as two strong contenders. Both platforms offer unique cheap flight-finding features and benefits that cater to a wide variety of travelers. Ultimately, the choice between PriceLine and Skyscanner comes down to your priorities and preferences.

To cover all bases and make sure you get the best possible deal for your next flight, using both cheap flight finders to zero in on the best deal can be a quick and stress-free process.