Rick Steves' Tip For Peace Of Mind When Booking European Flights

From giving tips to help you save on your next flight to Europe to educating passengers on the importance of packing light when traveling, Rick Steves has done so much to help tourists ease their European travel stress. Sometimes Steves tells us about the clever little things he does while traveling, and so often he helps by giving great advice. One of his most consistent pieces of advice around booking flights is surprisingly simple, yet in these days of third-party booking sites and using AI to plan your trip, we don't always think about it: "For maximum peace of mind, it's usually best to book [your flights] directly with the airline, which can more easily address unexpected problems or deal with rescheduled flights," Steves writes on his blog.

And here is why Steves' advice is practicable: When you book straight from an airline, you're dealing directly with the one party that controls your reservation, your seat, and your schedule, and they will take care of any rebooking that might happen if something goes wrong. The airline will have your contact information and can let you know about any possible changes, in aircraft, timing, gates, etc. And in the case of a delay, cancellation, or rescheduling, airlines can usually fix the issue quickly, and keep you informed of changes, because they have full access to your booking details. A third-party site often won't contact you directly, and they may need extra time to communicate with the airline.

There are many concrete advantages to booking directly through the airline rather than through an online travel agency or a third-party site. One of the advantages is enjoying better customer service when things go wrong. When your booking is handled by an airline, you get immediate access to its support channels, which is especially important for delays, cancellations, or rerouting. In contrast, when third parties handle your booking, you may face longer wait times, miscommunication (or no communication!), or even lost reservations during disruptions. Third party sites are simply middlemen who often have little power over what the airline can offer, so it's easier to leave them out of the process when trying to rebook. 

Also, when you book with airlines directly, there is more transparent pricing and fewer hidden fees. That's not always the case when you book through an online travel agency. Online booking platforms may have extra service charges, seat-selection fees, or processing add-ons. Booking directly more often than not ensures a cleaner breakdown of price — and they may even offer benefits. "You can often avoid added costs by booking direct," Steves writes. "And airlines may offer bonuses (such as extra frequent-flier miles) to those who book direct."

Most importantly, booking directly reduces the risk of getting stuck during disruptions. When you book through a third party, your contract is with that agency, not the airline, which means the airline has no legal responsibility to help you. That could mean that during disruptions or missed connections, the airline passengers who booked directly may get preference over those who booked third party. So for many travelers, especially those boarding an international flight or relying on tight schedules, these benefits are akin to real peace of mind.

It's not always wrong to book through a third party site, and in fact, there are scenarios where it still makes sense. All you have to do is approach with caution and do your homework very well. For instance, booking through an online agency may yield cheaper fares, for package deals or for travelers who have flexible dates and are just hunting for a good price. In that scenario, a reasonable strategy is to use comparison tools to find a good deal, then check the same flight directly on the airline's website. As Rick Steves himself says, "I use these sites primarily to understand my options, but not necessarily to purchase tickets." Sometimes the price is identical or only slightly higher, but if the difference is significant, then buying through a third party may be worth it.

"If you do buy tickets through a third-party site," Steves says, "make sure you carry their phone number with you." In other words, always carry full contact information, not just a confirmation email if you go through third parties. Make sure you have their customer-service number or a way to reach a live person in case there is any issue. That can save you from headaches if the agency doesn't respond. Booking through an online travel agency can work, but only if you treat it as a "deal-search" tool, not a final booking step. Direct booking is always a smarter option, especially if all you want is peace of mind.