Travel agencies: Scott's Cheap Flights vs. Booking.com
Quick Verdict
Scott's Cheap Flights is best for users focused on finding cheap flights, while Booking.com is a more comprehensive travel platform.
- Scott's Cheap Flights specializes in finding cheap flights and mistake fares, while Booking.com offers a broader range of travel services including accommodations and package deals.
- Booking.com provides 24/7 customer support and multiple payment options, which are not explicitly available with Scott's Cheap Flights.
- Both platforms offer loyalty programs and mobile apps for iOS and Android, enhancing user experience.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Scott's Cheap Flights | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price Guarantee | Alerts members to deals and mistake fares, potentially saving up to 90% on airfare. Provides price history for flights. | Offers a price match guarantee for accommodations. You can submit a claim anytime up to 24 hours before arrival if you find a lower price elsewhere. They may price match their own deals as well. |
| Flight Search Capabilities | Uses flight experts and technology to find deals on various airlines. Sends email alerts with booking information. | Offers flight search, allowing customers to compare flights from over 500 airlines to more than 4,500 destinations. |
| Accommodation Options | Not available | Provides a wide variety of accommodation options, including hotels, apartments, B&Bs, hostels, farm stays, bungalows, boats, igloos, and treehouses. |
| Package Deals | Not available | Offers vacation packages, where you can book flights and hotels together. |
| User Reviews and Ratings | Rating of 4.6/5 based on 10 reviews. | Features real user reviews from travelers who have made reservations through the platform. They use a weighted review system that gives more importance to recent reviews. Uses verified reviews from real guests. |
| Cancellation and Refund Policies | Membership purchases are non-refundable. Within 30 days of purchase, you can pause your membership or cancel the next renewal. If a mistake fare is canceled by the airline, you'll get a refund. If an airline cancels your flight, you're entitled to a refund. | Offers free cancellation for most rooms. For cancellations within 14 days, you might get a partial refund based on the time left on your reservation. Non-refundable bookings can't be canceled or changed. Refund processing typically takes 7 to 12 days, depending on your bank. |
| Customer Service Responsiveness | Customer support team responds to emails, with many users receiving a response within hours. | Offers 24/7 customer support via phone and messaging. You can contact them by calling (888) 850-3958. |
| Mobile App Availability | Mobile app available on iOS and Android. | Has native mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. |
| Loyalty Programs | Offers different membership tiers (free, Premium, and Elite) with increasing benefits. Elite members now get alerts for points and miles deals. | Has a Genius loyalty program with three levels. You can unlock Level 1 by creating a free account. Higher levels offer increasing discounts and benefits. |
| Destination Coverage | Sends deals to over 900 destinations worldwide. Finds deals departing from US airports. | Offers accommodations in almost every corner of the world. |
| Payment Options | Not available | Accepts credit cards (Amex, Mastercard, Visa, and Diners Club International), digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and PayPal. Some accommodations may allow cash payments upon arrival. |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly website. Handles the research, making it easier to find deals. | Has a user-friendly interface on both its website and mobile app with an intuitive search. |
Overall Comparison
Flights: Scott's Cheap Flights specializes in deals; Accommodations: Booking.com offers extensive options; Support: Booking.com offers 24/7 support
Pros and Cons
Scott's Cheap Flights
Pros:
- Access to cheap flights
- Finds mistake fares
- User-friendly website
- Saves users an average of $550 on international economy seats
- Saves users an average of $2,000 on first-class seats
Cons:
- Membership purchases are non-refundable
- Does not offer accommodation options
- Does not offer package deals
- Doesn't offer direct price comparison like Booking.com
Booking.com
Pros:
- Wide variety of accommodation options
- Offers flight search capabilities
- Provides package deals
- Features real user reviews
- Offers flexible cancellation policies with free cancellation options
- Provides 24/7 customer support
- Has mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Offers a loyalty program
- Extensive destination coverage
- Multiple payment options
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- No major disadvantages reported.
User Experiences and Feedback
Scott's Cheap Flights
What Users Love
- Access to cheap flights
- Finds mistake fares
- User-friendly website
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- Members save an average of $550 on international economy seats
- Members save an average of $2,000 on first-class seats
- Offers deals with discounts between 40% and 90%
Booking.com
What Users Love
- No highlights reported.
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- No value feedback reported.