Jettzy, an airfare comparison website, said it is offering lower prices than some of its competitors by getting rid of “airfare location discrimination.”
Peter Li, founder of Jettzy, told Stuff.co.nz that airlines used airfare location discrimination to charge different airfares based on a customer’s location at the time of booking. To help travellers, Jettzy assesses airfares sold in all markets and presents the cheapest options to customers.
Other companies followed Jettzy in helping customers look for cheaper airfare, with some also focusing on finding cheaper accommodation and travel insurance.
Webjet, leading competitor of Jettzy, worked with airlines and travel industry partners to help customers in comparing and booking flights, car hire, accommodation, holiday packages, and travel insurance.
Chris White, chief executive at Southern Cross Travel Insurance, said both travellers and insurers can take advantage of comparison websites.
According to White, travellers should pay attention to details like flight layover times when booking through price comparison sites. They should also browse in an incognito window when booking tickets.
"Travel sites may be able to see how often you've checked their prices, and you could be charged more if they think you're serious about booking," White told Stuff.co.nz.
As for travel insurance, insurers could step up their marketing strategy by reminding travellers that it is cheaper to buy premiums directly from them than through airlines or travel agents. Comparison websites could also show which travel insurer could provide the cheapest yet the best coverage.
“It pays to shop around and see if you can find a better deal,” White told Stuff.co.nz.
A study by Southern Cross showed that 40% of travellers from New Zealand who availed travel insurance for their holidays bought directly from a travel insurer, while only 19% went through their travel agent and only 14% bought it from an airline.
