Travel Agencies' Extras – Benefit or Waste of Money?
There are numerous travel agencies offering flights at prices lower than those of the airlines themselves. Almost all of them also provide additional services in conjunction with flights. Read our article to find out if these extra services really offer value for money.
Covered in the Article
Booking Flights Through Online Travel Agencies
It pays to use fare comparison tools like Skyscanner to check flight prices. Often, you can snag the same flight for tens or even hundreds of euros less by booking through the right online travel agency recommended by these sites. It’s pretty common for online travel agencies to offer flights cheaper than the airlines themselves do on their official websites.
Flights are sometimes priced below cost temporarily. That’s why these agencies tend to push a range of extras alongside your ticket. Most of these extras are costly and, frankly, usually unnecessary. In this article, we break down the most common extras and whether they’re worth your money.
Booking Directly with the Airline
If you want to steer clear of aggressive upselling and don’t mind paying around 10% more, booking directly with the airline is often a smoother experience. Airlines usually provide better customer service in the event of any issues, whereas contacting online travel agencies can be a challenge.
Common Extras Explained
Checked Luggage
Checked luggage isn’t something online travel agencies invented; it’s offered by the airlines themselves and sold through the agencies. However, it’s usually cheaper to buy checked luggage directly from the airline rather than through an agency.
If you need checked luggage transport, the best strategy is to book your flight without luggage via the travel agency. Once you have your booking reference, buy your luggage allowance straight from the airline’s website for a better deal.
Premium Support Packages
Online travel agencies often pitch “Premium” or “Platinum Support” packages that promise free assistance with changes or cancellations.
These packages can be pricey, and even with them, changing or cancelling your flight often remains difficult or expensive due to the airline’s rules. Simply put, altering your booking tends to be costly, regardless of the extras you purchase.
If your plans might change, we recommend opting for refundable tickets. Though refundable fares usually cost more, booking them directly with the airline often minimises the price difference compared to agencies.
Delay Compensation
Many agencies offer AirHelp’s or similar delay compensation service for a small extra fee. If your flight arrives much late, AirHelp will pursue compensation on your behalf. However, it’s generally easier and free to claim compensation yourself.
If you want to use AirHelp, it’s smarter to wait until after your delay happens before contacting them. This way, you avoid paying a fee upfront for a service you may not need, since flight delays aren’t that common.
Delayed/Lost Luggage Protection
Some routes offer one-time luggage insurance covering lost, typically paying out up to around 1,000 euros if the air passenger does not recover their bags.
That said, luggage permanently lost in transit is scarce. If your bag arrives late or at the wrong destination, it’s almost always returned within a few days. Additionally, many travellers’ home travel insurance already covers luggage loss, so this extra is usually unnecessary.
Cancellation Protection
Budget fares typically don’t include cancellation protection. If your plans change, you usually only get airport taxes refunded.
Online travel agencies may offer optional cancellation protection for a fee, which typically applies only if you can’t travel for serious reasons like illness. Since standard travel insurance often covers this, the extra is unnecessary if you’re already insured. Genuine cancellation flexibility comes from buying refundable tickets, best snagged directly from the airline.
Changeable Flight Tickets
The same advice applies to changeable tickets: buy directly from the airline to make changes hassle-free. Keep in mind that ‘changeable’ tickets may still incur fees for changes. Online travel agencies often charge additional service fees on top of airline change costs.
Seat Selection
Seat selection is an airline service and can be handy if you want a window seat, extra legroom in an exit row, or to sit next to a friend.
Most airlines automatically seat travellers booked together side by side, so you usually don’t need to pay for seat selection to sit together, except with low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizzair. If you’re travelling with others on separate bookings, purchasing seats together is often the only way to guarantee sitting together.
Seats can sometimes be slightly cheaper when purchased directly from the airline rather than through an online travel agency. It pays to compare prices before making a purchase.
Travel Medical Insurance
No one should travel without medical coverage for illness or accidents. It’s best to get travel medical insurance from your trusted insurer. Policies sold through online travel agencies tend to be more expensive. SafetyWing is a great option, especially for longer trips.
Check out our separate article on travel insurance.
Ticket Delivery by Post
Travel agencies can mail physical tickets upon request. Paper tickets are rarely needed, but if your destination requires one, this service is a handy option. Printing your own ticket at home is often cheaper and just as valid.
Booking Info via SMS
For a few euros, you can get your booking details sent by text. This small fee usually isn’t worth it, since you’ll also receive your info by email free of charge, which you can easily access on your phone.
In-Flight Meals
Online travel agencies rarely sell meals, so you need to book them directly with the airline. Reserving meals in advance on long flights is a smart move, as onboard options are often limited or pricey, and you’re likely to buy something anyway. Pre-booking can save you money and guarantee your preferred choice.
Common Questions
- ` Where is it best to buy extras for plane tickets?
- Exxtras are usually cheaper if purchased directly from the airline, even if you buy your ticket through an online travel agency.
- Which extras are worth buying?
- Checked luggage and seat selection can be useful. Most other extras from online travel agencies tend to be unnecessary.
- Should I book directly with the airline or through an online travel agency?
- Online agencies often offer cheaper tickets, but can be challenging to deal with if problems arise. We still tend to lean toward agencies due to their lower prices.
- Are premium service packages from travel agencies worth it?
- They rarely add value. Changing tickets remains complex and costly even with these packages.
- Where should I get travel insurance?
- Stick with your trusted insurance provider.
Bottom Line
Online travel agencies rely on selling extras to turn a profit, but only a few extras truly benefit travellers. It’s best not to buy many extras since small fees can add up fast.
In our view, checked luggage and in-flight meals are the most useful extras, and you’ll usually find better prices buying them directly from the airline. Having solid travel insurance is also crucial—just be sure to shop around before committing.
We still recommend online travel agencies because they often offer flights cheaper than airlines do themselves. Be thoughtful about which extras you add and where you purchase them. If you want a hassle-free booking experience, booking directly with the airline—even at a higher price—is your best bet.
Even if you book directly, be sure to start with a price comparison tool. Airline sites show only their own fares, but comparison engines let you see a wide range of airlines, making it easier to spot the best deal.
What do you think is the most unnecessary extra? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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