CheapOair Review

CheapOair is an online travel agency that has been operating since 2005, positioning itself as a budget-friendly option for flight bookings. Unlike metasearch engines that redirect you to other sites, CheapOair handles the entire booking process directly, acting as an intermediary between you and the airline. The platform searches over 450 airlines and presents results with the option to book immediately. CheapOair also offers bundle deals combining flights with hotels and car rentals, which can provide savings compared to booking each component separately. The site caters particularly to budget-conscious travelers and offers special discount programs for military personnel and students. As a direct booking platform, CheapOair provides its own customer service for all bookings. This is both an advantage and a limitation. On the positive side, you have a single point of contact for any issues. On the negative side, the quality of that service has received mixed reviews, and the additional service fees charged by CheapOair can offset some of the apparent savings in the displayed prices.

CheapOair's search covers 450+ airlines, which is fewer than major metasearch engines but includes all significant carriers for domestic US and international routes. Search speed is moderate, with results typically loading in 10-15 seconds. The results are displayed in a standard list format with sortable columns for price, duration, and departure time. The filtering options are basic but functional: number of stops, departure time ranges, airlines, and price range. The flexible date search shows a small calendar of prices around your selected dates, though it is not as comprehensive as the month-view calendars offered by Skyscanner or Google Flights. One area where CheapOair performs well is on certain domestic US routes, where its negotiated fares with airlines can produce prices that are competitive with or occasionally better than what metasearch engines display. However, this is inconsistent, and the added service fees need to be factored into any price comparison.

CheapOair's pricing model includes service fees that are added during the checkout process. These fees typically range from $10 to $35 per ticket, depending on the fare class and route. While the initial search results may show attractive prices, the final checkout price is higher once these fees are included. This practice is CheapOair's most significant drawback and makes honest price comparison with other platforms difficult. Bundle deals combining flights and hotels can offer genuine savings of 10-20% compared to booking separately, though these savings should be verified by checking the individual component prices on other platforms. The bundles include a single cancellation policy that covers both the flight and hotel, which can be either simpler or more restrictive than separate bookings. CheapOair offers military and student discounts that are verified through partner services. These discounts can be meaningful, typically 5-10% off the base fare, and are applied before service fees. For eligible travelers, these programs add genuine value that is not available on most competing platforms.

CheapOair's most distinctive feature is its phone booking service. Travelers who prefer speaking with a human agent can call CheapOair's booking line to search for and purchase flights over the phone. This is increasingly rare among travel companies and provides value for travelers who are not comfortable with online booking or need assistance with complex itineraries. The website and mobile app offer standard features including saved searches, booking history, and trip management tools. The app also includes push notifications for price drops on watched routes. The interface is functional but not as polished as modern competitors, with a design that has not been significantly updated in recent years. CheapOair also offers travel insurance through third-party providers, airport transfer booking, and a rewards program that earns points on purchases. The rewards can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings, though the value per point is modest compared to airline loyalty programs.

CheapOair's website and app work well enough for completing bookings, but the overall user experience lags behind modern competitors. The design feels dated with cluttered pages, multiple promotional banners, and a checkout process that includes several upsell screens for insurance, seat selection, and other add-ons. The search flow is straightforward: enter your trip details, browse results, select a flight, and proceed to checkout. However, the checkout process is where frustration can build. Service fees appear at the payment stage, and the upsell screens add clicks to what should be a simple process. Users who are patient and click through these screens will reach the final booking confirmation without issues, but the experience is not as smooth as what Hopper, Google Flights, or Skyscanner offer. On mobile, the app simplifies things somewhat with a cleaner layout and fewer promotional elements. The search and booking flow is streamlined compared to the website, making the app the better option for CheapOair users who prefer a less cluttered experience.

CheapOair provides customer support via phone, email, and live chat for all bookings made through its platform. Phone support is available 24/7, which is a significant advantage for travelers dealing with urgent issues during off-hours. Live chat is available during business hours with typical wait times of 5-15 minutes. Support quality is inconsistent based on user reports and our testing. Simple requests like booking confirmations and minor date changes are handled promptly and accurately. More complex issues like cancellations, refund disputes, and disruption rebookings can involve longer wait times and less satisfactory outcomes. Some users report being transferred between departments multiple times before reaching resolution. CheapOair's cancellation and change fees are often higher than booking directly with the airline. This is an important consideration, as the initial price savings may be offset by higher fees if your plans change. Reading the cancellation policy carefully before booking is strongly recommended.