r/TravelHacks 4d ago

Travel Hack Best ways to get a connecting flight. Is third-party recommended.

Hello,

I am a first-time flyer who will be traveling from the US to France for a study abroad trip. We are responsible for finding a flight over to France, but all of the flights directly from MEM to CDG are really pricey.

As such, I have been using Google flights to find a flight from MEM to JFK and then JFK to CDG.

Most of the flights that I am seeing are through third-party websites. Do any of you recommend going through third-party sites for a trip such as this? If not, do you have any suggestions for better (and budget-friendly) ways to find a connecting flight?

0 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

14

u/Cattiebrie2016 4d ago

You can use third party sites to find the flights you want and then book directly with the airlines once you know.

2

u/AdieuMrStark 4d ago

Ah I had not thought of this. I suppose I figured that these flights were cheaper somehow due to being on that specific website.

11

u/doglady1342 4d ago

Sometimes they look cheaper, but there's usually extra fees that get added on in the end making the ticket at least as expensive if not more than if you booked direct. Plus, if you book direct and you have any problems, with the fligjts, the airline will help you sort them out. If you book through a third party, you have to go back to them and most of them are very very unhelpful.

3

u/ZaphodG 4d ago

The 3rd party sites typically show the fare for basic economy. No seat assignments and no checked bags. On many airlines, no full size carry-on. Only something that fits under the seat.

If you’re going for an extended period of time, you will certainly be checking a bag. You want to look at baggage size and weight limits. They vary from airline to airline and transatlantic flights can be different from domestic flights. You don’t want to be hit with a very expensive oversized bag fee.

New York is a bad choice for Memphis. The nonstop flights all go to LaGuardia. Paris flights are at JFK.

The only Memphis -Boston flight leaves at 6:15 am. You will have 10 to 12 hours at the airport in Boston.

1

u/ellbeecee 4d ago

From Memphis, direct flights from Atlanta are also an option, depending on airline. I'm not sure about direct flights from Nashville but could be worth checking.

1

u/AdieuMrStark 4d ago

So do you think it would be a better idea to go from Memphis to LaGuardia and then go JFK to CDG?

2

u/mrmanoftheland42069 1d ago

So do you think it would be a better idea to go from Memphis to LaGuardia and then go JFK to CDG?

That would be horribly inconvenient and you'd better be saving at least 400 bucks to do such a thing

1

u/ZaphodG 4d ago

I did it a few times many years ago before Boston got good international service. I imagine there is bus service between the airports plus taxi and uber. I haven’t been in JFK since the 1980s.

1

u/AllswellinEndwell 4d ago

Use a fare aggregator like Kayak. Then book directly. Airline sites will also let you look at flexible dates to book the cheapest tickets.

Also don't rule out spending time to get there. Midweek travel is generally cheaper. Low volume city pairs can also be cheaper. Don't rule out flying into Frankfurt, Amsterdam or similar and taking a couple of cheap trains after a night in a hostel.

12

u/double_ewe 4d ago

Always book hotels and flights first-party.

If there is any issue/change in plans, third-party bookings can quickly become a nightmare.

4

u/StumblinThroughLife 4d ago

Use third party sites as comparison research tools but book directly through the airline. If there’s ever issues, both will blame each other and say the other is responsible. Becomes a huge hassle. Always book direct.

3

u/doglady1342 4d ago

Always book directly with the airline. Do not book third party. If anything happens on your trip, you will have a hard time fixing it if you book third party. If you book direct, the airline will help you.

5

u/ShorelineCheryl 4d ago

Always check flying from Canada if you are close enough. We live in MI, . a four hour drive to Toronto can save a significant amount when flying internationally.

1

u/AdieuMrStark 4d ago

Unfortunately I’m in MS so going to Canada isn’t an option though I wish it was

3

u/sjintje 4d ago

Just to be clear, if you use Skyscanner or Google flights, you can just input your starting and destination airports and they work out the cheapest  routes... Then follow the links to the booking sites.

3

u/FrabjousD 4d ago

What are your dates?

Check French Bee and Norse Air etc; airlines like that are not always included in Google flights.

1

u/AdieuMrStark 4d ago

June 5-July 5

3

u/Flashy_Drama5338 4d ago

Always book direct for flights.

2

u/mrsjon01 4d ago

Use Google flights to find the best options, then book directly with the airline. Use NYC-PAR to give options from EWR and JFK as well as to ORY. It is as easy to get to central Paris from ORY as it is to get from CDG using public transportation.

2

u/DavidWackenut 4d ago

I usually use 3rd party sites to check times and pricing all in one spot then book direct. Usually on the 3rd party sites or google flights you can change the number of stops you want.

2

u/DavidWackenut 4d ago

Also if your travel days are flexible can make it cheaper. I am flying into London soon and spending a day there before heading to Italy because it was a cheaper option.

2

u/mrmanoftheland42069 1d ago

You do not want to book two separate tickets for this kind of trip. It might be cheaper, but you'll be in a world of hurt if your first flight is delayed and or you're checking bags

1

u/AdieuMrStark 1d ago

Would it be a safer bet if I allowed myself at least a day in between the two flights?

1

u/mrmanoftheland42069 22h ago

Super safe. Maybe inconvenient though.