FTF tests out travel metasearch engines to find which site returns the most results and cheapest flights. And the winner is Momondo.com.
When looking for cheap fares for airline tickets, there are a few websites that most people know to search, such as Expedia and Travelocity. However, in addition to these online travel agencies, there exists another breed of travel website called a metasearch engine.
These websites search a specific corner of the web—the travel corner, so to speak—and return with lists of fares from online travel agencies, airline websites, and hotel websites. Users of these search engines are then redirected to the actual website of the travel agency, airline, or hotel for the final purchase of the ticket.
Lots of these metasearch engines exist. They can help eliminate time spent searching for fares at multiple travel websites, because they allow you to compare lots of fares from different sites.
FTF does a Trial Airfare Search on Competing Metasearch Sites
But how to know the best metasearch engine to use? FTF has chosen some of the biggest and well-known metasearch engines and tested them with a few different itineraries to see which site brings back the most returns with the cheapest prices.
Itinerary 1: Tel Aviv, Israel to Larnaca, Cyprus
July 27th – August 1st, 2010
ITA Software: returned 30 matches, lowest fare 334 USD
Kayak: returned 3 matches, lowest fare 335 USD
Momondo: returned 90 matches, lowest fare 333 USD
Itinerary 2: New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA
July 30th – August 3rd, 2010
ITA Software: returned 500 matches, lowest fare 428 USD
Kayak: returned 870 matches, lowest fare 424 USD
Momondo: returned 1257 matches, lowest fare USD 399
Itinerary 3: Boston, MA to Orlando, FL
August 23rd – August 28th, 2010
ITA Software: returned 500 matches, lowest fare 239 USD
Kayak: returned 385 matches, lowest fare 239 USD
Momondo: returned 503 matches, lowest fare 229 USD
Momondo.com is the Metasearch Winner for Results & Price
From what we found, the Momondo metasearch engine lists the most results, while other sites such as Kayak list some specific returns on their website but then also have popups for Expedia and other travel agencies where you may have to re-input your flight information.
Momondo seems to be the most comprehensive and easy way to compile lots of results. If you’re willing to spend more time clicking through pop-ups on other sites, however, it may be possible to find better deals. This is especially true if you try to book way ahead of time.
Momondo also sometimes includes airports that are near the airport you selected but not necessarily the airport you want. For example, it included results from Westchester County Airport when we entered Laguardia Airport in New York City — which turned out to be clever. However, if you don’t feel like wading through tons of websites in search of the absolute lowest price, Momondo seems to be the easiest way to find a good price in a short amount of time.
Based in Denmark, Momondo’s mission is to give their users total price transparency without any catches. At a recent press event in New York City, Martin Lumbye, one of Momondo’s partners, explained that Momondo gets the most comprehensive results because it searches airline company websites and travel agencies, but also low-cost airlines. In addition to its flights metasearch engine, Momondo also offers a hotel search option and guides for major cities world-wide.
Metasearch Engines to Test Yourself
If you want to test out these websites for yourself, here is a list of the ones we used and more:
ITA Software
Hopper
Kayak
Momondo
BudgetAir
Cheapflights
CheapOair
Skyscanner
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Great advise and said in very simple language in order for a range of readers to process. I must add that the symptoms and solutions are equally as important in adults who suffer from abdominal illness.
the family market is indeed very important and very lucrative. Focosing on the Family market is what Wal-Mart made big.
Thank you for posting this comparison. I've been looking for something like this but so far I've found only comparisons of individual plans not family ones. This will help me a lot while I'm budgeting for next year's gap holidays.
This place is awesome. We have delivered baby equipment rentals there a couple times and love it. It seems to work great for families traveling with young kids because the age range is usually between 2-8 years old when we deliver. Great beach and location. Thumbs up!
I am planning for a visit of Columbia …. Lets see When i wills be able to visit the same scene..
Orlando, is a perfect place for the kids to explore about Disneyland. A good feature post.
Love your brother in law! Would love to drive cross country with him and his brood!
Another great travel search engine is http://www.travelmarket.com/ it gives you a list of the cheapest flights and hotels. Try it and see what you think.
Good tips all – they sure beat my brother-in-laws advice for dealing with kids on long haul drives, which was, "Tie em to the roof!"
I too would be interested in viewing a list of apartments for the budget traveler.
Great article. I always, and still believe, if you feed a cold you will starve the fever.
I through my own experience, would advise against air travel with any ear, throat or nose infections. It is difficult to move through the change of air pressure, without adding a cold to it.
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It's a shame more airports don't take steps to make travel for families more convenient and fun. I'm sure they are focused on the core income stream of business travelers, which makes sense. Still, why not try and appeal to both?
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That place totally awesome. A perfect place for family vacation. That waterfall really make me jealous. It shall be refreshing to soak up under that waterfall. The beach also really charming, I wonder how much it cost to go there?
I want to go their. Really that is a great place.
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You are so right Banfos, thanks for the heads up. Mystic CT is quite remarkable and has much to see besides the aquarium. We have made the change.
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Mystic Seaport is a world-renowned maritime history museum. It is not an aquarium as stated in your article.
Jennifer:
There are enough fun activities for the whole family to spend either as a day trip or overnight.
I wish I could have went to the play lab – sounds like Fisher Price is really doing a great job of keeping up with today's trends – and of course smart kids! Great update!
Wow…cannot wait to have a visit there!
Well, I think kids can enjoy some special joys there….
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How long would you allow for this excursion? It sounds like a fun side trip while visiting San Diego.
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It is bound to be more scenic than the A1,
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Wow..I really cannot wait to make a trip to Italy…sounds very great!
hey thanx for the top 10 resorts…I will Surely look forward during my last visit.
When you mentioned "flashes" that people were starting to see, I first thought that you were gonna say that you were experiencing the northern lights! But what amazing "flashes" you did see! The whales are one of my favorite parts of Alaska.
Nice points but my baby is too much stubborn.
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Holidays are managed mostly for kids. They get know new places with different weather and cultural attractions. It is good.
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It is admirable that this hotel employs locals and also promoting the local culture. This is something that is lacking in many big name hotels today.
Sounds very romantic. I was thinking about a trip with family for a long time but when I landed here my problem is solved.