Here’s the short, honest answer. Book direct when the price gap is small, the trip is complex, or the departure is soon. Go third-party only when the savings are significant enough on a simple itinerary and you are fine with a little extra friction.
First, a quick way to decide
If the savings are under about ten to fifteen percent, book direct. If it is above twenty percent and you can live with a bit of friction, a third party can make sense.
Booking direct
Choose this when you want the airline to handle your ticket directly. This usually means faster rebooking during disruptions and clearer accountability. Before you pay, read the fare rules and change windows, and check same-day options, baggage, and seat policies.
Booking through a third party
Third-party booking means using an OTA, not the airline. It can be cheaper, but changes and refunds go through the seller. Opt for this only for significant savings on simple trips. Choose established brands, save the fare rules and your PNRs, and expect to contact the agency first if plans change.
How Wego helps when your plans change
Wego guides, escalates, and coordinates cases in line with airline rules. For Book on Wego (BoW) bookings, contact us first, as Wego’s customer support handles them end to end. If you booked after a redirect to a partner or airline, that partner owns the booking, and Wego can only triage and escalate.
Reddit comments, answered by Wego
Reddit user Far_Aspect452 commented:
“The issue with a third party is if something goes wrong, you deal with them instead of the airline.”
Wego’s answer: True in general. If you buy through a partner site after clicking out, that partner controls the reservation. Our team coordinates with the airline or supplier, so you don’t have to chase an unknown inbox.
Reddit user ziza2908 commented:
“Even the third party ticket will be non refundable. Check rules for both.”
Wego’s answer: Correct. Fare rules still apply no matter where you book. What we add is faster triage when an airline change gives you options, such as a schedule change or a cancellation. We push for waivers and workable rebooking within the rules.
Reddit user Route_US66 commented:
“If your flight gets cancelled or altered, it can be modified at no cost. It is better to deal directly with the airline.”
Wego’s answer: Direct is often fastest. You contact us once, we work with the airline on your behalf and keep you updated. For simple trips with small savings, direct is fine.
Reddit user WellTextured commented:
“People choose it for the price difference without realising there are other issues. You may wait days for the agency to respond when flights change.”
Wego’s answer: We try to prevent waiting days with no news. Our team acknowledges cases promptly and keeps you updated by chat, phone, WhatsApp or email. If an airline or partner needs time, we tell you what is pending and when to expect the next update, and we chase and escalate until the case moves. Airline rules still apply, but you will not be left in the dark.
Reddit user Infamous-Arm3955 commented:
“I have had good experiences with Orbitz and Expedia. Problem solved quickly. Others are more risky.”
Wego’s answer: Established sellers tend to resolve cases faster. We agree. If you choose a third party for a considerable saving, pick a reputable one. If you want a single help desk that knows your case, our customer care record puts us among the strongest in the business. Our team works cases through to closure, with a customer satisfaction rate of 93% on calls and 74% on chat across more than 82,000 cases.
Bottom line
A nonrefundable fare is a rulebook, not a trap. Decide what you value most, whether certainty, price, or time, and choose the seller that best owns that outcome. If you chase price, keep the trip simple and your records tidy. If you want certainty, let the airline hold the ticket. Above all, confirm who is responsible for the next step and when you will hear back.
