44 Flight Booking Myths That Are Actually Wasting You Money

Myth 15: Booking on Airline Websites Guarantees the Best Perks

Many travelers assume that booking directly through an airline is the smartest move, believing it guarantees perks like priority boarding, free seat selection, or bonus frequent flyer miles. While some airlines do offer slight advantages for booking directly—such as waived change fees or extra loyalty points—this isn’t always the best deal. Third-party travel websites and online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Priceline, and Google Flights often negotiate exclusive perks that airlines don’t offer directly. These can include discounted baggage fees, hotel and flight bundles, or even free cancellation windows that aren’t available when booking through the airline itself. Additionally, some credit card travel portals, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Travel, allow you to redeem points for flights or earn additional rewards, making a third-party booking more lucrative than buying directly from the airline.