Is it safe to book flight ticket from OTA?

Things to know before booking a flight ticket from an OTA

The world is experiencing a digital revolution; everything is revolutionizing. A few years ago, people went to travel agencies to book a flight ticket whenever they wanted. Online travel agencies have replaced them because of their convenience and cost-efficiency, and people choose them over offline travel agencies. Even after so many successful examples, many people do not prefer these sites and platforms for booking their flight tickets. This article will discuss OTAs, the factors to consider if an OTA is legitimate, and whether they are safe for flight bookings. 

What is an OTA? 

OTA or Online Travel agencies are the online platforms or websites that allow users to book flight tickets and other travel services such as car rentals, hotel bookings, and more. These OTAs work as mediators between the service provider and the customers, similar to e-commerce websites. An Online Travel Agency allows the service providers to advertise their packages and services free of cost, and they earn by getting a percentage of commission per sale. 

Are OTAs safe?

Understandably, people often hesitate to purchase on these websites because of the scams in this digital era. However, there are some things you can consider before actually purchasing to know about the legitimacy of any Online Travel Agency. The first thing to understand is the reliability and reputation of the platform by going through the reviews, as the reviews reflect the services customers have received. Below, we have provided some tips to consider when using an OTA. 

• Reading the Reviews is an essential factor to consider as it lets you get a glimpse of the services other customers have received. 
• Consider choosing the Credit Card payment option, as payment completion is comparatively safer. 
• Choose a reputable online travel agency because any well-established agency will have a good record for customer satisfaction.
• Consider booking flights through websites that start with "HTTPS," as this security certification ensures the website is legit. 

Things to check in an Online Travel Agency

It is very common for any online agency to get negative reviews, but this can be concerning when there are several negative reviews. Legitimacy will always be a question, especially in the case of Online Travel Agencies, and to deal with it, here are some things to keep in mind when booking with an OTA. 

• High Costing: If a flight ticket costs more than usual, consider selecting an airline's official website. In these cases, you might pay an expensive price, and an issue may arise when you ask for a refund. 
• Chances of change of flight: If you have to cancel, change, or reschedule a flight, do so through the airline's official website. Online Travel Agencies follow strict terms and conditions and do not offer flexible rules. 
• Reputation: It is crucial to consider, as it gives customers an idea of the customer service of the websites. Online Travel Agencies in the industry for years may have better customer satisfaction and services. So, it is suggested that a well-known platform be considered.