I have been using Google Flights since 2014 and firmly believe it’s the only tool you need to find the best flight prices.

It’s what I teach in my Free Budget Travel 1o1 course.

But Google Flights was missing one major thing…

Southwest Airlines did not historically allow Google Flights to show flight and pricing information.

So whenever I searched for flights, I would also need to look on the Southwest website separately to compare. This was a little inconvenient, but not the worst thing in the world.

But in May 2024, that all changed!

Southwest Airlines information showed up on Google Flights! This amazing development has changed flight search on Google for the better.

Why? Because Southwest Airlines is a solid U.S. budget airline. Their soft and hard product is consistent, they are reliable (we won’t talk about the meltdown of 2022) and their policies are fair.

In this article, we’ll dig deeper into why Southwest Airlines on Google Flights is great for travelers. We’ll talk about what Google Flights is, why Southwest Airlines is so special, and the key benefits of this new development. So let’s get to it!

Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What is Google Flights?

The concept of Google Flights is simple. It’s a free flight aggregator that helps you find and compare flight prices across different airlines all in one spot. It is NOT a 3rd party travel agency.

It’s like a flight shopping tool, allowing you to see the cheapest days to fly, different route options, and even set alerts for price drops.

Pros of Google Flights

Comprehensive Search Results: Google Flights quickly scans many airlines and booking sites and provides you with a wide range of options so you can easily find the best flight that works for you.

User-Friendly: It’s so easy to use Google Flights. They lay things out nicely making it simple to figure out how to find the best flight.

Flexible Date Search: I love the calendar view. It’s the first feature I use to figure out when I should travel. It makes it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly, especially if you’re flexible!

Price Tracking: This is by far the best part about Google Flights. You can set up an infinite amount of alerts to monitor price changes for specific routes. When pricing changes, you’ll get an email. I like to leave my alerts on even after I’ve booked my flight because if my flight price decreases I may have options to get money back or a flight credit.

Price Prediction: Google Flights will give you a summary of when it predicts the best time is to purchase a flight for your chosen route. This is invaluable information when it comes to deciding on when to purchase your flights.

No Booking Fees: Google Flights doesn’t add booking fees, it directs you straight to the airline or travel agency to purchase your flight.

Cons to Google Flights

No Loyalty Program Integration: If you are part of a frequent flyer program, Google Flights doesn’t display loyalty program benefits or allow you to filter flights based on potential reward benefits. However, there is now a Chrome extension called Points Path that can help with finding flights that you can purchase with points and miles!

Limited Filtering Options: While you can filter by stops, airlines, times, bags, price, emissions, connecting airports, and duration, other sites offer more detailed filters like Wi-Fi availability or aircraft type. However, I do think that Google Flight filters have all you need.

Occasionally Inaccurate Pricing: Sometimes the prices shown on Google Flights can be outdated due to the delay in updating fares, leading to discrepancies when you go to book. This is quite rare but can happen.

No Package Deals: Unlike some travel booking sites, Google Flights doesn’t offer the option to book hotels or rental cars alongside flights. I personally, prefer to book direct and do not purchase travel packages anyway.

What’s so special about Southwest?

Many budget travelers (including myself) love Southwest Airlines and for good reason. The airline is consistent in offering a solid product that will get you from A to B without trying to nickel and dime you into paying unnecessary fees.

Pros of Southwest Airlines

No Checked Bag Fees: Some passengers may make the mistake of overlooking Southwest’s checked bag policy. But one of the best perks to flying Southwest is the two free checked bags per passenger policy for any fare type. They are the only airline that offers this perk. We are firmly team carry on even for a one or 2 week trip, but this can lead to significant savings, especially for families and long-term travelers. If flying Southwest, we’ll usually check bags on our return flight.

No Change Fees: Southwest does not charge fees to change a ticket before the flight. You can update your flight up to 10 minutes before departure. This is a game changer because it offers more flexibility if plans change. It can even save you money on your fare because if the price drops it’s extremely easy to get a refund or credit back to your account.

Customer Service: Southwest is renowned for its customer service, they are known to go above and beyond to ensure passenger satisfaction. They have a friendly, casual approach that can make flying less stressful and more enjoyable.

Transfarency®: Southwest prides itself on transparency in advertising and communicating with customers. I love this about them! They aim to avoid hidden fees and simplify the travel process with straightforward pricing and policies.

Rapid Rewards Program: Of course, let’s not forget about their loyalty program which they call Rapid Rewards. I love using points and miles to pay for travel and their program offers easy-to-earn points that never expire. The program is straightforward, with unlimited reward seats and no blackout dates.

Cons to Southwest Airlines

Limited International Routes: Southwest primarily focuses on domestic flights within the United States. Although they do offer some international flights its nowhere near the level of other U.S.-based airlines. However, their domestic footprint is quite extensive.

No Assigned Seating: Now, this policy is a deal breaker for some. They do not offer assigned seating with any fare type. There are ways to give you a better chance of finding your ideal seat (getting on their A-List), but there are no guarantees. This can be stressful, but if you go into it knowing the drill you’ll be fine.

Basic In-flight Amenities: There are no frills when it comes to Southwest Airlines. You won’t find seatback entertainment (it’s BYOD – bring your own device) or power outlets on most flights. The snack options are also limited.

No Business Class or Premium Economy: Southwest only offers one class of service. So if you’re looking for premium amenities like larger seats or meal service, you won’t find it with Southwest.

Boarding Process: The boarding process can be chaotic if you’re not used to it. You’re assigned to a boarding group and a space in line. It can be stressful because other passengers may not be so considerate, but again if you know the drill you’ll be fine.

Limited Code-share Agreements: Southwest is not part of an alliance or larger network of airlines. So that does limit options.

What are the benefits of having Southwest on Google Flights?

Now that Southwest shows up in Google Flight search results, it makes searching for flights even easier than before giving you a broader range of flight options all in one place.

This makes it so much easier to make an informed decision and compare prices and schedules across multiple airlines giving you the best chance for finding affordable flight options to match your preferences.

Here are some reasons why this is such a big deal:

Transparency in Pricing: Now that it’s possible to see Southwest’s fares on Google Flights you can better understand the final cost of flights. Especially when you take into account the value of free checked bags and no change fees, compared to other airlines that might offer a lower headline price but charge additional fees.

Better Planning: For travelers like me, whose priority is finding the most convenient or fastest routes, having access to Southwest’s extensive network of domestic flights on Google Flights means more options.

Alerts and Tracking: This is huge! Southwest does not offer flight price tracking, but now that these flights are showing up in Google Flights you can set price tracking and alerts. This makes is even easier to update your flight if the price goes down, especially without any change fees!

The verdict?

Having Southwest Airlines show up in Google Flights search results is a major game changer for the budget traveler. Not only does it make searching for affordable flights more convenient, but with the price tracking and alerts there’s no longer any reason not to get the best price on flights.

Even if you don’t consider yourself an avid Southwest customer, maybe this new development will pique your interest since now you’ll be seeing their logo pop up more now in your searches!

Want to see this in action? I run searches on Google Flights for Southwest. You can watch below!

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Planning a trip can be both exciting and also pretty stressful. There are already many options available, but determining whether to book directly with airlines or use online travel agencies (OTAs) can make the decision even more overwhelming.

I have been on countless flights, visiting over 30 states and hundreds of cities in the United States and abroad. That means I’ve done my fair share of searching for flights. So I know a thing or two when it comes to booking flights and how to decide between booking direct or through an OTA.

Each approach has its advantages and finding the right one can greatly impact your overall travel experience. So let’s take a look at the various factors that should influence this decision, so you’ll feel empowered to choose the approach that aligns best with your individual travel style and budget.

What are OTAs?

Online travel agencies (OTAs) are platforms that serve as the middleman between consumers (you) and various service providers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. There are probably thousands of online travel agencies that exist, big or small.

Examples of big OTAs:

• Priceline
• Expedia
• Orbitz
• Travelocity

Examples of smaller OTAs:

• Kiwi
• GotoGate
• Kiss&Fly
• TravelMerry

People like to use OTAs because they can consolidate a lot of info in one place, making it easier to compare options, find deals, and complete their bookings conveniently online.

OTAs generally have user-friendly websites and mobile apps, allowing you to search for flights, hotels, and other travel-related services based on your preferences.

How do OTAs make money?

There are several ways that OTAs can make money, but probably the primary source is through commission from the airline or service provider.

When you book flights, hotels, or any service through their platform the OTA receives a commission from the service provider. This commission is typically a percentage of the total booking value.

This works for OTAs because they usually facilitate a high volume of bookings because people perceive them as more convenient and “cheaper” than booking direct.

What a lot of people like about OTAs are the opportunities for additional services and add-ons like seat upgrades, travel insurance, airport transfers, or activities and tours. This generates additional revenue for them.

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Are OTAs always cheaper?

Not really.

Contrary to popular belief, OTAs don’t always guarantee lower prices compared to booking directly with the airline. They can often offer competitive rates, but in some cases, the prices are exactly the same or may actually be slightly higher.

However, despite the slightly higher prices, a lot of people are willing to pay for the convenience and additional services provided by the OTA, such as comparison tools, user reviews, and package bookings.

But nowadays, airlines are increasingly incentivizing consumers to book directly with them. They offer exclusive discounts, loyalty program benefits, and other perks to bypass OTAs and establish a direct relationship with customers.

What is the 24 hour rule?

The 24-hour rule is a Department of Transportation federal rule that allows travelers to cancel or change their flight bookings within 24 hours of making the reservation without any fees or penalties.

This means that even if you book a non-refundable or fully restricted fare you can cancel or make changes at no penalty, but only if it’s within 24 hours of making the booking.

This regulation applies to flights originating or departing from the United States. But this rule technically only applies to airlines and not necessarily to flights booked with an OTA.

You should always check the specific terms and conditions of your booking and consult with the airline or OTA for compliance with the 24-hour rule.

The Convenience Factor

When it comes to booking travel, there are two factors that hold high value for me: comfort and convenience. I will not just always choose the cheapest option because for me that’s not always the best option.

Personally, I’m willing to pay a bit more for a direct flight rather than saving a few bucks and risking potential delays or lost luggage with a connecting flight. Even if the savings are significant, say $100 or $200, I’d probably still opt for the more convenient choice to avoid unnecessary stress.

If this is you too, check out my post about the big mistakes to avoid when booking flights. I also avoid checking a bag for this reason so I have another post about how to pack a carry-on.

If you’ve never run into a situation where you miss a connecting flight or lose your luggage consider yourself lucky. It can ruin a day or even an entire trip.

So when it comes to deciding whether to book your flights through an OTA or direct with the airline, convenience should play a significant role in the process.

Booking Direct

Booking directly with the airline allows you to have complete control over your booking. Most major airlines (and even small ones) don’t even charge you additional change fees.

Another convenience of booking directly is the ability to communicate directly with the airline. When you book through an OTA everything has to go through them which in some cases can be a hassle.

Flexibility is huge with airlines these days since the pandemic. More and more airlines are offering no additional change fees and more flexible fares to give consumers more options when booking flights.

Booking with OTAs

On the other hand, using OTAs offers convenience, but their change policies may be subject to additional fees and coordination between the OTA and the airline. This can be a pretty unpleasant experience.

However, OTAs are a one-stop shop offering packages that include flights, accommodations, and other services. This can be convenient and save you from hopping between multiple websites.

But although the OTAs do offer package deals that can sometimes be cheaper, you should not assume that this is always the case. Nowadays, major airlines also offer vacation packages of their own. Allowing you to book flights, hotels, and other services for one price.

Note: Always pay attention to the change and cancellation policies, potential fees, and any restrictions that may apply to your specific flight booking.

What about loyalty programs?

If maximizing loyalty programs is important to you then booking directly with airlines will give you the best access to their loyalty programs. You’ll typically be able to earn miles and elite status which comes with added benefits and possible award redemptions for free or almost free flights.

OTAs may have their own loyalty programs, but they may not always give you the opportunity to earn miles or status with the airline when you book with them.

If you fly with a few specific airlines regularly it’s usually much better to always book directly with the airline as you’ll receive more rewards and benefits.

The Cost Comparison

Of course, when planning a trip, one of the key factors is going to be cost. OTAs may give off the impression that if you book with them you’re always getting the best deal, but as mentioned previously that may not be the case.

When you’re searching for flights you may notice that OTAs don’t always offer the cheapest fare and sometimes the fares are exactly the same as if you booked directly or in some cases a little more expensive.

Some OTAs will offer the service of refunding you if the price of your flight goes down, but this is not a free service. They charge for this service and if the price does not go down you don’t get your money back.

If you book with the airline directly and the price goes down, you will most likely be able to go online and easily update your reservation for a travel credit and in some cases get a refund.

Booking Direct

When booking direct with the airline you may have access to exclusive deals and promotions that are only available for customers who have booked direct.

You may find that when you go to check in for your flight that an upgrade is available at a discount or you can book a seat with better legroom and additional perks like early boarding.

Remember, OTAs are not necessarily always going to be the cheapest. If you book direct you’ll never pay for price markups. When you cut out the middleman, you eliminate the additional costs that OTAs might add to cover their own expenses and profit margins.

You’ll know this because of the transparency of pricing. Airlines will always provide a breakdown of the total cost, including any additional fees or taxes.

Booking with OTAs

OTAs can often negotiate discounted rates with airlines due to their volume of bookings. This results in competitive prices that may be lower than what you can find by booking directly.

Additionally, some OTAs offer package deals that bundle flights, accommodations, and other services together at a discounted rate, further maximizing your cost savings. But Airlines may also offer this too.

But remember that OTAs may charge service fees or booking fees, which can affect the overall cost. Or they may purposely charge inflated change fees to deter you from making changes so they can keep their costs low and offer cheaper prices.

You should always research these fees and consider them when comparing prices. Also, OTAs don’t need to offer the same cancellation or change policies that the airlines do. It’s important to review the terms and conditions before booking your airfare.

How to find the best prices on Flights

Personally, I like to begin my flight search with Google Flights (video tutorial at the end of this post). Google Flights allows you to search multiple airlines, multiple filters, track prices, and much more.

I also like to use the free Travel Arrow Chrome extension which will take my search parameters and filters from my Google Flights search and compare it with other travel sites and OTAs.

Customer Service Comparison

One of the biggest advantages of booking directly with the airline is the customer service experience. If you’ve ever had to deal with an OTA for flight changes, cancellations, or other issues, you know how stressful that can be.

When you have an issue with your booking, OTAs are limited in their ability to help you directly, so it may take longer to resolve. If you reach out to the airline, they’ll probably redirect you back to the OTA, causing further delays.

OTAs may prioritize cost savings by cutting back on customer service, allowing them to offer cheaper bookings compared to booking directly with the airline.

However, some OTAs, particularly larger ones, may provide better customer service than others. They may invest more in ensuring a positive customer experience.

So do your research and figure out what you’re willing to deal with in comparison to the money you’re saving when booking with an OTA.

Which Option Is Right for You?

When it comes to booking travel, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Deciding whether to book directly with the airline or through an OTA depends on your personal travel style, trip complexity, flexibility needs, and budget.

When I search for flights, I prioritize factors like comfort, time, convenience, and price.

I’ve learned the hard way about the inconvenience of missed connections caused by flight delays. That’s why I now always try for non-stop flights or those with minimal connections. The value of maximizing my time at the destination outweighs any potential savings from multiple connections.

And don’t even get me started on the hassle of lost luggage. I’ve become a pro at traveling with just a carry-on to avoid that headache. I’ll only check a bag if I’m on my way home.

That’s why I personally choose to book direct with the airline. I appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing I can reach out to them directly or visit their customer service counter if any issues arise.

Plus, the convenience of being able to change my flight online without worrying about pesky change fees is huge for me.

Ultimately, finding the right approach for you means considering your own preferences and experiences. It’s about selecting the option that offers the most convenience, and control, and fits your own travel needs.

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The post Booking Flights Direct vs. OTAs: Which Is Better for Your Next Trip? (with Video) appeared first on Traveling Franklins.