Is Agoda a reliable platform for booking flights compared to airlines' websites?

Oct 29, 2024
2 months ago
Lee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is Agoda good to use to book flights? Comes up more than 2000bht cheaper than booking through websites airasia etc
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discussion evaluates the pros and cons of booking flights through Agoda compared to directly with airlines. Some users report that Agoda often offers lower prices but caution that these may exclude checked baggage and that refunds can be challenging. Others highlight that direct bookings provide better customer service in case of issues. Overall, opinions are mixed: while Agoda can be cost-effective, especially for AirAsia, many recommend booking directly with airlines for better flexibility and support.
Kevin ********
If I ever had a problem with Agoda the sorted it out
Gary ******
Try Skyscanner then book director with the cheapest price airline.
Terry ********
Yes but they charge about double for checked baggage. That's her to go on a comparison site first like Skyscanner.net or momondo.co.uk and you will see others like trip.com or booking.com offering the flights about the same as Agoda. The checked baggage on booking.com it's about the same as for the airline.
Gerald ********
I always have 3 or 4 sites open when I am looking for flights, Trip.com Skyscanner. Momondo. Kayak these I used the most but you have to be aware now a lot of flights now offer flights with just hand luggage and people have fallen for thinking that cheaper than others then later find out they have to pay extra for their luggage.
Nicholas *********
I use Agoda

Air Asia doesn’t accept Bangkok bank cards
Sophie *********
It's fine if nothing goes awry before or during the journey..
Dek ******
Have you tried skyscanner
Mark *********
try kiwi app too
Bill *********
I've used Agoda for 4 flights/hotel combinations this year and everything worked great. Definitely appreciated the cheaper price than I found separately. It's a site that's my first stop when thinking about a trip.
Declan **********
I use skyscanner and the majority of the time Agoda is the cheapest so I end up using them a lot, never had an issue and I fly in and out the country for work at least 2 times a month, most months.
Jared **********
I used agoda the other day for my on arrival domestic flight and they seem to direct you now to the third party site, one of the listed businesses was edreams which has horrendous reviews

Just be aware who is responsible for your ticket
Luc ************
Always book direct with the Airline company.
Will ********
I don't trust Agoda due to glitches with their booking app.Always book directly.
Andy ********
I use Google Flights
Nicole ****************
No. They will change your flight to keep the discount rated ticket. Always book directly with the airline
Jade *******
I've had best luck with Google flights to locate the flights and then booking directly through the airline. We flew Saudia Air last time US to BKK and it was a fantastic experience.
Ralph *******
Check the apps for Skyscanner and Trip dot com. You will get a choice of flights at various prices. Usually cheaper than the airlines website.
David ***********
Book with the Airline. If problems arise it is far easier to get it remedied.
Tore *********
with agoda and booking_com it’s actually fine. You get an actual airasia booking ref and can login to airasia to add luggage etc if need be.
David *********
Check it’s for the same luggage
Jamie ******
If there is a problem with Agoda there is no one to talk to ,,,,a robot can only answer what it’s been programmed to do …not everybody fits into their program ,,end result no ticket ,,no refund ..lesson learnt don’t book with Agoda to save money ,,you won’t
Rok ********
Agoda is a very good platform. Main for Asia really …
David ********
Do your own research and planning when it comes to flights. Depends on many things each traveller has different expectations about flights and airline conditions can also be a difference in flight time departure also stopovers. But l have used them all depends on price and if l want to fly that way.same as baggage 7 kg is great for me but some want like 25 kg so pay more. You decide don't ask here you will get 1 million answers
Tore *********
@David *******
with agoda and booking you get a airasia booking ref and can purchase luggage directly with airasia. I just added luggage to my flight a couple days ago
David ********
@Tore ********
as l mentioned the options are up to the traveller. But the booking sites are fine
Jim **********
Just check the final prices. A lot if headline prices excludes taxes snd fees. Only when you get to the final step in the booking process (usually payment) can you see the full and final price.

It’s a pain in the arse but because they all load their prices on different fees a headline price can be very misleading.
Frank ******
@Jim *********
yes agoda adds hefty service and taxes
Jim **********
@Frank *****
also the fees - everything from seats, luggage, meals, even credit card charges all vary enormously from one carrier to another.
Tony *********
Never deal with third party
Tore *********
@Tony ********
i would usually agree, but in this case you end up with a airasia booking ref and can make any ad ons etc directly with Airasia
Carlos *********
Agoda starts cheap but the final price is like, what happened!!???!!!
Steve *******
Yes no problem, just check to make sure it's the same kind of ticket. A lot of times the cheap prices shown don't include meals or checked luggage.

Other times the cheap option tries to sell you these things, even though the airline gives it to you for free, regardless of where you bought your ticket.
Jo **********
Well ok if you fly air asia i agree but the rest you should book directly with airline and especially directly with the hotel. Easy to change after that. In summary don’t use Agoda unless it’s for Air Asia
Bart **************
@Jo *********
why not? They're very good at hotel bookings.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
no. I book directly with hotel. Any problem the hotel will help me. changes, upgrades etc. A lot of people have had problems when checking in with Agoda. There is no benefit
Bart **************
@Jo *********
I have the opposite experience. Direct bookings are often less flexible. Agoda has great refundability conditions if you use those.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
but your using a second party to make a booking you can make directly yourself. we had a lot of people during the covid period lose their booking because of Agoda. Booking with hotels are always going to give you more flexibility and security
Bart **************
@Jo *********
no, that's not the case. You can book fully refundable with Agoda and fully refundable means fully refundable. If you don't book fully refundable, they still have leniency policies and can sometimes give you a refund regardless. We had this when cyclone "Pabuk" struck, a couple years ago. Direct bookings are not as flexible.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
I am traveling internationally every month for 25 years if you book directly with the hotel you have maximized you flexibility this is a well known. And the contract is between you and the hotel
Bart **************
@Jo *********
it's well-known that hotels are not as flexible Jo. If you didn't know this after 25 years of traveling then that's a shame.

FYI, 25 years ago hotels were even much less flexible than they are today. It is thanks to booking platforms that the flexibility we know today even exists. Back then all bookings were final. The strategy to offer flexibility is how Booking originally penetrated the market.
Bart **************
I used them when AirAsia's own website didn't work, and had no issues. Also used their counterpart, Booking, for the same reason as yours. And used other third party booking sites as well.

First off, you can trust a company like Agoda. Unlike AirAsia, they make sure their systems work properly. However, as holds with any third party booking site: they take away your flexibility, if any. You can't change or cancel your ticket. Service packs, as they call it, are always too expensive to even consider, so you're kinda forced to book the least flexible option. If you book an AirAsia or other budgeter flight, this doesn't matter, because that's just the same with direct bookings. But if you book e.g. Etihad, you'd have the option to cancel or reschedule at a somewhat acceptable cost, which you'd lose if you book with a third party. Or, if anything goes wrong, you may want to deal with the airline directly, instead of a third party.

And one last thing: if they don't allow you to book baggage, don't do it. It is not possible to book baggage later. Or well, at penalty fare then. That's the scam: not allowing you to book baggage upfront, they collect a penalty fare. Usually more than your ticket (i.e. forfeiting your ticket and rebooking the exact same ticket but with baggage at the airline booking desk is cheaper). I believe Thai Lion scams people this way. Although having said this, I kinda remember that Agoda also didn't allow me to book checked baggage that one time I used them. Not a problem then as I planned to fly without, but if they really don't allow you and you need it, you know what to do.

All in all: if your plans are set in stone, you may book via third party websites such as Agoda. But if you can't find an option to book baggage (and you need it), abort, and book direct.
Bob **********
Sure
Andy **********
If it's a low cost internal flight, why not just go for the cheapest?? it's worth the risk in my eyes, I had a delayed flight a couple of weeks ago, and the Agoda app sent a notification of the delay, I wouldn't have known otherwise, it actually helped a lot, I could plan things better and not waste more unnecessary time at the airport, I was surprised because I didn't think third party booking sites did this.
Jason ******
I've found Skyscanner the best over many years now ,but always check when it's budget airlines like air Asia as they add so many things on and even split couples up in seats if you don't buy seats ,try to avoid AirAsia if you can,but Skyscanner gives many options 🙏🏽
Andy ************
Agoda is a pain because often they'll have the lowest fare which doesn't include checked baggage. I gave up on airfares with Agoda because it's too inconsistent. They should stick with hotels, they're good at that!
Ken ***********
@Andy ***********
I noticed a strange business practice. You book on Agoda and then get a refund after 2 months. I am not a fan of this.
Andy ************
@Ken **********
Don't know what you mean. Why would you get a refund?
Ken ***********
@Andy ***********
it is very strange...you pay a higher fee and then after 60 days you get a certain sum returned.
Andy ************
@Ken **********
Not a refund, that's a cashback, just a gimmick so they can advertise lower prices.
Ken ***********
Jimmy ******
@Andy ***********
even hotels they have the exact same prices as everywhere else
Andy ************
@Jimmy *****
Sometimes higher. It pays to do several checks when looking for good prices. In Thailand I find somewhere suitable, note the price, then my lady phones them for the "Thai price". Doesn't always work, sometimes they quite higher than Agoda, but more often than not it's lower
Kraig ******
Book direct with airline because if you have any issues they will fob you off to the airline anyway.
Michael *********
Direct from AA is (almost) always more, cross reference a few 3rd party sites
Ken ***********
@Michael ********
I have booked AirAsia flights through other vendors often. Last month, I booked directly with the but after booking, I realized they charged me insurance and I didn't catch it. I learned my lesson.
Elishba *****
Yess never faced any problem
Willem ****
pay attention to the conditions. there is often a difference in ticket classes and therefore the right to changes and compensation/costs.
Jef ********
@Willem ***
yeah like no baggage or self transfer (bags) there is usually some stitch up
Thaimer ******
@Jef *******
air Asia don’t have baggage anyway and they don’t have connected flights
Jef ********
Jef ********
@Thaimer *****
that’s funny cause I have a connecting air Asia flight Lombok-KL-Bangkok and it’s with baggage 😂
Vinn *********
I had the same before. Didn't had any problems. But it could be more hard if you need your money back for a delay or something like that. Because it is not directly from the airline company.
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