cheaptickets com

October 18, 2025

CheapTickets.com is one of those travel booking sites people bump into when hunting for discounted flights or hotel deals. It promises low prices, rewards, and “secret bargain” hotels. But like any online travel agency (OTA), it comes with trade-offs. If you're trying to figure out whether it's worth using, how it works, and what to avoid—this guide covers the mechanics, benefits, complaints, and smarter ways to use it without getting burned.

What CheapTickets.com Actually Does

CheapTickets.com is an OTA owned by Expedia Group. It allows you to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, rental cars, activities, and cruises through its platform instead of going directly to the airline or hotel. It works as a middleman: you pay CheapTickets, and they issue the booking through travel suppliers.

Key features:

Search and compare prices from multiple airlines and hotels.
CheapCash rewards that can be used on future bookings.
Secret Bargain Hotels with hidden hotel names until after booking.
Vacation bundles with flights + hotel deals.
Apps available for iOS and Android.

CheapTickets isn’t a scam—it’s a legitimate brand with decades of history—but that doesn’t mean every experience is good.

How It Started (And Why It Matters)

CheapTickets launched in 1986 selling discounted airline seats as a consolidator. It moved online in the late 90s and was eventually acquired by larger travel companies. Today it’s part of the same ecosystem as Orbitz and Expedia.

Why this history matters:

Older OTAs sometimes still work like consolidators—great prices, but strict rules.
Being owned by Expedia means access to lots of inventory.
Support and policies often mirror Expedia’s system—good in some cases, frustrating in others.

When CheapTickets Is Worth Using

There are scenarios where CheapTickets actually makes sense.

You’re price-sensitive and flexible

If timing, routing, or airline loyalty isn’t a big deal, CheapTickets can surface competitive fares. They often highlight “flights under $149” or hotel rates 30–50% off retail.

You want to stack rewards

Their CheapCash system gives you travel credits on select bookings. It’s not as strong as an airline loyalty program, but it’s essentially free money if you’ll book again.

You want to bundle travel

Packages (flight + hotel) occasionally offer savings that individual bookings don’t. These bundles are usually the best value during off-season travel or midweek departures.

You don’t need future flexibility

If you’re booking a simple round trip and unlikely to cancel or change, the lack of flexibility matters less.

How Booking Works on CheapTickets

The process is standard but there are small differences worth knowing.

Search for flights, hotels, packages, etc.
Filter options by price, time, airline, rating.
CheapTickets may promote “Secret Bargain” deals where full details are hidden.
Before checkout, they may push add-ons like travel protection or seat selection.
After payment, you receive a confirmation with a booking reference (sometimes separate from the airline’s PNR).
For flights, you may need to confirm or select seats directly on the airline’s site.

Behind the Low Prices

CheapTickets often pulls inventory from:

Airline consolidator fares (restricted, limited flexibility).
Discount contracts with hotels.
Dynamic pricing from Expedia’s network.
Flash sales or limited-time promotions.

Cheap doesn’t always mean best value. Some fares look cheap but include long layovers or basic economy restrictions.

The Biggest Risks and Complaints

CheapTickets has mixed to poor user reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and ConsumerAffairs. Most common issues:

Poor customer support

Users report long wait times, scripted responses, or being bounced between CheapTickets and airlines. When flights get changed or canceled, resolving the issue can be painful.

Limited flexibility

Many bookings are nonrefundable or come with heavy change fees. Even if the airline allows changes, CheapTickets may still charge an additional service fee.

Hidden restrictions

Some fare types don’t include baggage, seat selection, or points accrual. CheapTickets doesn’t always make these restrictions obvious before booking.

Price variances

Sometimes prices shown during search jump higher during checkout. This usually means the fare expired or changed.

Refund delays

When refunds are issued, they may take weeks or months to process because the money passes through multiple parties.

How to Use CheapTickets Safely

You can reduce headaches by following basic precautions.

Compare before booking

Always check the airline or hotel’s official site. If the price difference is minimal, booking direct is safer.

Check the fare rules

Before you click “purchase,” look at cancellation, baggage, and change policies. Don’t assume anything.

Get your airline PNR

After booking, log into the airline site directly using the record locator. Confirm your booking exists, select seats, and monitor schedule changes.

Avoid complex itineraries

Multi-stop or international flights with different carriers are risky through OTAs. Use CheapTickets for simple routes.

Screenshot everything

If something goes wrong, documentation helps with disputes.

Use a credit card (not debit)

Credit cards give you chargeback protection.

When NOT to Use CheapTickets

Skip using CheapTickets in these situations:

You need maximum flexibility.
You’re traveling during peak seasons when cancellations are common.
You’re booking group or business travel.
You’re using loyalty points or elite status.
You want 24/7 guaranteed support.

Alternatives to Compare

Before committing, look at:

Airline direct websites
Expedia (same parent company but sometimes different prices)
Google Flights (search tool, not a booking platform)
Booking.com (better hotel inventory)
Priceline / Hotwire (similar discount model)

Sometimes CheapTickets wins. Sometimes it doesn’t. The power comes from comparison.

What Happens If You Need Help After Booking

This is where things often fall apart.

Flight change by airline?

CheapTickets may email you… or not. You often still need to call them to rebook. Some airlines won’t change tickets issued by third parties.

You want to cancel?

Check if the ticket is refundable. CheapTickets may charge a separate processing fee even if the airline allows free cancellation.

Travel disruption?

Airlines will usually prioritize passengers who booked direct. OTA customers may be asked to call the OTA instead.

Missing booking?

Occasionally CheapTickets processes payment but fails to issue the ticket. Always verify directly with the airline within 24 hours.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Pros

Sometimes cheaper than booking direct.
Rewards program (CheapCash).
Secret Bargain hotels.
Easy comparison tools.
Package deals.

Cons

Poor customer service reputation.
Harder to change or cancel bookings.
Additional fees.
Delays in refunds.
Limited support during disruptions.

The Smart Way to Use CheapTickets

Treat CheapTickets as a research and deal-finding tool—not as your default booking method. Use it alongside other sites. If the price difference is big enough to justify potential hassle, go for it. Just lock in the rules before you pay.

FAQ

Is CheapTickets.com legit?
Yes. It’s part of Expedia Group. It’s not a scam, but experiences vary widely based on support and fare type.

Why are prices sometimes lower on CheapTickets than the airline site?
They use consolidator fares, special contracts, or promotional rates. These often come with stricter rules.

Can I earn airline miles on CheapTickets flights?
Sometimes. Basic economy or consolidator fares may not qualify. Check fare class before booking.

What is CheapCash?
A reward credit you earn on select bookings. It can be applied to future travel, usually hotels. It expires if not used.

Can I change or cancel my booking?
Only if fare rules allow it. CheapTickets may add extra service fees, even if the airline waives theirs.

What if my flight gets canceled by the airline?
You typically must contact CheapTickets to rebook. This is where many users report long delays or poor service.

Is the CheapTickets mobile app useful?
The app lets you search, book, and access itineraries. It doesn’t fix customer service issues, but it’s convenient for managing trips.

When should I avoid using CheapTickets?
When plans may change, when traveling internationally with connections, or when you need top-tier support.

CheapTickets.com isn’t good or bad—it’s a tool. It offers real savings if used carefully, but it shifts support risk onto you. The safest approach is simple: compare prices, understand the rules, and book directly when flexibility or service matters more than a small discount.