10 Ways to Spot a Real Flight Deal — Avoid Black Friday Gimmicks

3. Cross-check airline site vs. third-party aggregators

Aggregators can show attractive headline fares but add fees at checkout or sell itineraries with restrictive rules. Always cross-check any promising price on the airline’s official site. When a fare is identical on the airline site, you get clearer terms and easier customer service if changes or cancellations are needed. If a third-party price seems dramatically lower, verify the exact flight number and operating carrier. Codeshare listings sometimes hide which airline actually operates the flight, which affects luggage policies and delays. If the aggregator forces nonrefundable payment methods or tacks on a high service fee, booking direct often ends up cheaper and less stressful.