CheapOAir Logo

CheapOAir

star star star star star_border

5.5

Overall Score

Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: March 30th, 2022

Founded in 2005, CheapOair is a travel booking site with a unique search engine that allows users to search over 450 airlines simultaneously to find the best possible ticket prices. CheapOair offers 24/7 customer service and is frequently featured in worldwide publications such as the New York Times, Travel and Leisure, and The Huffington Post. 

The company does not sell its own products or services, but rather partners with third-party vendors in the travel industry to provide a single travel booking location for customers. These vendors include airlines, hotels, transportation companies, experience providers, cruise lines, car rental agencies, tour operators, travel insurance providers, and more. If you are looking for a place to book your entire travel experience and make each reservation through one central travel site, CheapOair could be just the company for you.

Go directly to CheapOair reviews

thumb_up

The Good

  • Technology
  • Travel Accommodations
  • Search Engine Functionality
  • Reviews
  • Competitive Rewards Plan
  • Customer Service Policies
  • Award-Winning Service

Technology

CheapOair has created an online travel agency platform that allows travelers to find affordable and complete vacation deals at a discounted rate. CheapOair gathers and filters travel information through its innovative data collection technology and presents the most relevant search results, making it an easy travel site for travelers to navigate and book their reservations.

Travel Accommodations

CheapOair allows travelers to book nearly every aspect of their pending travel online, over the phone, or through its mobile app. Those who use CheapOair to book their travel accommodations can reserve the following:

  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Car rentals
  • Cruises
  • Vacations packages

CheapOair gives its customers the ability to book online or over the phone, though users should know that a service fee may be larger if booked over the phone. The company also offers forms of travel insurance for travelers who want it.

Search Engine Functionality

CheapOair's search engine functionality is one of the best in the industry. Many customers have reported that they saved money with a cheap flight by using this functionality. Other site features that travelers may find useful include the following:

  • Flight Watcher — Look for the cheapest flights at the most desirable departure/arrival times
  • Seat Selector — Pick and reserve your seat on designated flights with participating airlines
  • Trip Manager — After reserving trip accommodations like a vacation package, manage tickets and other booking details from a mobile device
  • Deal Browser — With mobile-exclusive deals, travelers can browse discounts on vacations and reservations

The site also offers a way to do a flight search with flexible travel dates. This feature helps users to find the best deal possible, three days before and after your selected travel date, and usually results in a cheaper flight. 

Reviews

Both CheapOair's online and mobile platforms allow users to read and conduct further research through the help of reviews. Reviews are left by travelers who have stayed in prospective hotels or traveled using specific airlines and can help customers narrow their search and find the best accommodations for their trip.

Competitive Rewards Plan

Customers can earn travel discounts and gift cards by consistently booking with CheapOair’s rewards program. Once you sign up, there is a tiered rewards points system. Users can earn more points per transaction with each successive booking. They can even get $25 for referring a friend. 

Rewards members get up to 20 percent off flights and up to 55 percent off hotel bookings, six times reward points for every booking, and an account history to easily reference your upcoming or previous reservations. 

Shoppers planning to return should know that you can earn two to six times more points when you book through the mobile app. 

A CheapOair credit card is also available to help earn points towards future airfare or reservations in addition to the rewards program. Both options, the CheapOair Visa Credit Card and the CheapOair Visa Signature Credit Card issued by Synchrony Bank, offer several benefits: 

  • Earn 1 Member Reward Point and 6 Credit Card Reward Points for every $1 spent with the card on CheapOair.com
  • Earn 4 points for every dollar spent on dining
  • Earn 2 points for every dollar spent anywhere else

Six months of special financing is also available. 

CheapOair Visa

  • Emergency card replacement
  • Emergency cash disbursement
  • Roadside dispatch

CheapOair Visa Signature

  • CheapOair Visa Benefits 
  • Lost luggage reimbursement 
  • Trip cancellation/interruption
  • Travel accident insurance

Cheapoair Customer Service Policies

Price match promise: A price guarantee allows users to make sure they are receiving the lowest prices on their travel itinerary. If you find a lower online price, the company will credit the difference on your next round trip flight ticket or hotel reservation made through the website. 

Flight and Hotel Inconvenience: If your flight is delayed for over an hour, you encounter baggage delays, or your luggage is lost, the company will issue each ticket holder a $5 coupon for future booking, for up to five people. 

CheapOair Promo Code: CheapOair will also offer a promo code for different reasons each day. Some examples include senior discounts, student discounts, and military discounts. Travelers can use a promo when booking to save a little more on an airline ticket.

Award-Winning Service

To add to CheapOair’s many accomplishments, the company has received countless awards since opening its doors in 2005. The company’s has received rewards for everything from customer service and the CheapOair App to tourism and business practices. Most recently, in 2020, a year without much travel needs, the company received two Gold Stevie Awards for its communication department and its product management team.

Visit Site

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Limited Car Models
  • Customer Service and Fees
  • Rewards Restrictions
  • Cancellation Policy 

Limited Car Models

CheapOair doesn't have many options available when it comes to rental car models. Most of the cars offered are economy class, which doesn't give customers the option to select a more luxurious vehicle if they want to be a bit more comfortable during their ride. 

Customer Service and Fees

Even though CheapOair has tried to keep the feel of agency booking, it does cost to do this. CheapOair has 24/7 customer service, but the issue is, while getting immediate, human-based assistance, you may rack up some fees. It costs more money to book over a phone call with a booking agent than through the website, as well as a few other things, like cancellations or attaining a refund. Trips booked over the phone may incur more significant service fees. 

CheapOair charges service fees on its transactions: 

  • Air tickets up to $35 per passenger, per ticket
  • Hotel reservations up to $32 per night, per room
  • Car rental up to $25 per rental

The booking fees may be much more if you book over the phone with a customer support travel agent, choose specific vacation packages, upgrade to business class or first-class fare, or plan on multi-city airfare trips. Fees are also subject to change. 

Reward Restrictions

CheapOair does offer a rewards plan to those who enroll in its membership program (enrollment is free and can be completed entirely online). Still, there are some restrictions and a point system that travelers should be aware of. The point system is broken down as follows:

  • Flights — Earn 1 point per every $1 spent on a flight
  • Hotels — Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on a hotel room
  • Car rentals — Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on a car rental
  • Vacation deals — Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on trip "extras"

Points can be earned simply for signing up (up to 500 points upon enrollment), but a high number of points is required to save on hotel reservations. Further, points can only be redeemed on certain hotel chain reservations. 

Cancellation Policy

CheapOair and its contractors charge a cancellation fee ranging from $100 to $250, making it very expensive to cancel bookings and thus limiting the size of the refund you can get when you do cancel.

Most airline tickets available on CheapOair are non-refundable. It is up to the airline. If cancelation is approved, a credit can be put toward a future ticket. However, most of the time, this type of credit comes with an expiration date. So, if you don’t book within the proper time frame, your refund is gone. 

Additionally, most bookings and service fees are non-refundable after 24 hours. 

Trip protection can be canceled within 10 days of purchase if your travel hasn’t happened. 

Within 24 hours of booking, customers can contact a CheapOair representative to cancel and get a refund, but they will pay $50 in cancellation fees for domestic flights and $75 for international, first-class, or business class flights. After 24 hours, economy tickets cost $50 to cancel with a future credit, while business and first-class tickets cost $100 to cancel, with the rest being refunded to future credit. 

If you don’t want credit for a future flight, the cancellation fee is $100 for the domestic economy and $250 for international economy flights and all business and first-class tickets. Additionally, fees for changing your tickets range from $100 to $250. 

Special offers, discounts, or cancelation rates are available for military personnel, natural disasters, the bereaved, and the visually impaired. 

Cancellations with the company can only be handled over the phone with customer service or a cancellation request form. 

gavel

The Bottom Line

CheapOair uses innovative data collection technology to help customers book several different travel accommodations, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages. The company provides search engine functionality and traveler reviews to help users find exactly what they are looking for, so finding cheap tickets and hotel reservations are easy. CheapOair stands out from the competition because it has a vast network of resources thanks to its parent company Fareportal, which has been in business since 1976.

Joining CheapOair for the rewards program can help you get a great deal while getting the credit card offers you the opportunity to earn even more points towards future online booking savings.

However, if you do end up booking travel accommodations and then decide to cancel the reservation, you can expect to pay a steep fee. Also, CheapOAir's car models are limited, and its rewards program is somewhat restrictive. 

View Best Travel Sites

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

3.8

star star star star star_border

475 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

52%

4 grade

18%

3 grade

5%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

23%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star_half star_border

Quality

star star star star_half star_border

Service

star star star star_half star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star_half star_border
cancel
info
star star star star star

V eronica Bentley Winter Haven, FL

I was thrilled to be able to secure a flight within my budget. I have just been informed my brother in the UK has cancer throughout his body, with no pain. His hip bone is being eaten away. I knew I had to get to see him one more time. I am in the USA. I was able to secure 12 days with him due to family commitments here. I know the leaving will be a sad time, but I am glad for the chance. I have booked Gluton free food, otherwise I would be terribly sick. I have my seat booked and hopefully can sleep through the flight. Thank you all clerks were most helpful especially the last one. This for me is a compassion flight as I know I will never see my brother again. I am on a limited budget and when I heard of my brother's health I tried all major airlines to get a flight within my finances.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Rohit Salt Lake City, UT

I find a good deal on their site. Later I had to change the date, but their customer support gave a much higher rate than I was seeing on their website. I raised a ticket, and they followed up. They didn't charge anything more than the difference in airline ticket prices. It seems I came across a bad customer support personnel earlier. But their supervisor who called was quite patient and helpful.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

star star star star star

Daniel O'Brien Henderson, NV

What I appreciated the most was the fact that searching for flights, finding suitable flights at the best times for me and making seat selections were simple and quick. There were no hidden charges (everything was explained up front and it was easy to accept or reject options that I did not need). The only concern I had was the fact that I could not pre-pay for a checked bag (the fee for doing so was explained, but the option of pre-paying either was not available or I did not see it). Overall, the experience was quick and pleasant.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Do Hyung Kim Montclair, CA

Impressed with the majority of the customer service personnel in resolving complex airflight schedule issue including unexpected airline cancellation etc. I have used other airticket agency services before, and I noticed Cheapoair has provided a great deal of airticket as well as afforable schedule suited to my travel for business and personal reasons.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Linnea Oregon City, OR

My daughter is going to college outside Washington DC and we live across country in Portland, Oregon. Cheapo Air makes it easier to coordinate flights that will ft in with her complicated schedule and shuttle system to and from her college campus. Thanks so much Cheapo Air for helping parents re-unite with their college age children for the Holidays!

7 years ago

star star star star star

Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

CheapOAir is a great travel site. They give superb access to finding the lowest fares online. And the portal allows for many planning variations. They are trusted, secure, and easy website to use for frequent personal travel.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Laura Garden Grove, CA

The website is very accurate and give you the best prices. User friendly and a fast follow up. Used the site before, always great prices. Only thing you can’t do is book your seats ahead, that has all to do with the airline itself. I am a happy customer.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Cynthia Menifee, CA

We have never had any issues when booking or traveling through CheapOAir. When comparing rates, we find we have much anxiety thinking of booking through someone else. Thank you so much for giving us so much peace of mind with our booking, our check in, and our flights.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Steve M Osprey, FL

I've used CheapOAir for several years booking both domestic and International flights. It is an efficient and comprehensive website for comparing the myriad options available these days. I especially like its feature of showing alternative dates and/or airport locations.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Abdullah Alshehri & Cathy Money Pensacola, FL

This is the second time we choose to deal with CheapOAir for our travel plans. We are quite satisfied with their speedy and convenient services not to mention reliable. Everything aspect of the booking on line process is made easy.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Byron Paz

The Website is wonderful. I am planing to visit United Kingdom and Ireland the next year and I am sure I got the best prices in the market. Other thing for I like to use CheapOAir is because in this site accept Payments with Paypal.

6 years ago

star star star star star

D Jean McBride-Samuels Jenks, OK

Best Value I have seen and so flexible. As you go or upon returning you don't have to travel the same way you came. This allows me to stop off and visit friends or relatives as I want. Thanks, the airline sites don't give me all of this.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Mirek Passaic, NJ

Very quick and professional service it was so easy way to booking the airplane ticket at not expensive price and short time before departure.I received confirmation of the buying ticket so quick. I will recommend this website to my family members and also to my friends , all of them will know about so easy way to buy airplane ticket.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Wanda Bower Kitty Hawk, NC

very good fast and worth it emailed me with updates and took great care of me, haven't went on the trip yet so don't know how good they are. will let you know more once I have made the trip, got me on Quantas which is a great airlines

7 years ago

star star star star star

CAROLE ALLEN Laguna Niguel, CA

DRU, my Cheapoair agent was fabulous. He was very professional, handled my questions and my changes swiftly and completely. He was very helpful and compassionate, as well. What more can a client ask for? Thank you so much, DRU

7 years ago

star star star star star

Pyratebear Key West, FL

Customer Service via telephone was extremely helpful, however after a month the price of the booking dropped severely AND flights were offered out of the airport that I preferred FLL instead of MIA in Florida. That aspect was disappointing.

7 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Stephanie Love Herriman, UT

I love using cheapOair. It’s the one site that you have to go to and it does the searching for you. It looks up the best deals and the best rates and even gives you different options for different days with a different rate, so you can see what the best deal I can get. It’s nice because you don’t have to look up several different airlines. It makes it quick and easy to navigate. It something I will continue to use when I looking for flights.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Patricia Nesmith

My experience was good! I chatted with Monte and had a question about seat selection and he was very helpful in assisting me. He asked what was my seat preference and he was able to book the seat preference I requested.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Jasmine E. Albuquerque, NM

Very user friendly and quick! I understood the concept easily and the website is very easy to navigate through. I plan to continue using this website for travels in the future! Thanks!

6 years ago

star star star star star

haha Boston, MA

This is the first time I buy a flight ticket on the website in America. It looks good. Everything is clear, and I think I get the cheapest one. Hope my trip is safe and happy.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Elenora Thomasville, GA

Convenient to book And travel on a short notice. I like the option of booking with Affirm when travel is short notice and monies are not readily available. Cheapoair makes it less stressful in meeting all my travel needs

6 years ago

star star star star star

Daryl Homosassa, FL

Thank you for being here! The site was very easy to use. No problems. Just abit annoying with parts that stop the experience. I just want to complete and review everything. After that then it's good to get my feedback.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Wilfred Shelton, WA

It is always such of a nice experience to book a fly with you guys. the process is easy and simple. I do not like complex anymore that is why I like to use CheapOAir for my bookings.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Gayle Quincy, MA

Great experience - easy and cheap! Received my itinerary immediately with my confirmation. Plane is full, so I am unable to choose my seat - maybe I'll get into first class!!!

6 years ago

star star star star star

Camelo Yhap

Most of my bookings I do with CheapOair. Customer service is also great as one time i made a mistake and booked an incorrect flight and they help me immediately to cancel and get a refund.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Alfred Hill

I found this quite helpful. The process was smooth and did not required further assistance. I will use this medium again and again. Many thanks for all you help and look forward to a safe and enjoyable flight.

7 years ago

star star star star star

ERMEI

The CheapOAir website is simple, easy to operate, the response is great. I like booking here. I have been booking my international flight tickets with CheapOAir, and I will recommend to my friends about it.

7 years ago

star star star star star

T.S. Um Norwalk, CA

website showed many different flight info. booking process was easy and price of flight was great. I would definitely book using cheooair for my future travels. hightly recommended

7 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Bing Yeung Riverton, UT

I discovered this site just by browsing online a few years ago. CheapOAir does give you a good search for deals. Talking to an agent might give you more than what's shown. I like that they give free cancellation for every purchase so I don't need to stress about it at uncertain times.

5 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Mia Alshami Fayetteville, AR

CheapOAir always gives me the cheapest flight rates! I always go to this website when planning out my trips to keep the cost low so I can spend that money on other things during my trip. They also have all the major airlines which is very nice!

5 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Allen Lambert Fayetteville, AR

CheapOAir has always been a great way to find flights for an affordable price. I have used this website on multiple different occasions and it has never failed me. I highly recommend CheapOAir for all of your budgeted air travel needs!

5 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Abby Wallin Denver, CO

I always check CheapOAir before I check google flights because they often show flights and airlines that other companies don't. I book most of my trips through here because, as a college student, flying first class often isn't an option.

6 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

GrandpaRod Lehi, UT

I have now used CheapOAir 3 times and each time I have been pleased, saved lots of money and got great customer service. I think it is unusual that the cheapest service can offer so much customer service. Why do others not do this?

6 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Reckholdt Draper, UT

We have booked several flights through cheapOAir and have always had a great experience. We save a little money and it’s just as simple as booking through the airlines directly. Their customer service has been very helpful for us if we ever have any questions.

6 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Sara S Tallahassee, FL

I use cheapoair for all of my travel needs. They definitely have the best prices- indicated by their name lol. They give out a lot of promo codes so it is very easy to get a good deal on their site. Would definitely recommend.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Paula Canby, OR

Easy to book, find dates and departure and arrival times that are convenient for my family . Easy to navigate website and add all the items I want that are available.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Tony mckenzie French Village, MO

I am very happy with my experiences with cheapoair. great air travel tickets with great prices and look forward to working with them on future travels.Tony mckenzie

6 years ago

star star star star star

Mofate Fuimaono

Very wonderful service and I want you to keep it up a great job for people of the world. Well done and looking forword to book through you CheapOair next time

6 years ago

star star star star star

Imogen Culver City, CA

Excellent all around! Thank you for taking the stress out of travelling and reservations and leaving money in our pockets to enjoy the trips even more!

6 years ago

star star star star star

Sharon Grottoes, VA

Easy to follow. Lots of choices. Almost too many. Offer flight insurance which was important for time I am traveling. Great deals. Assistance available if needed by phone.

6 years ago

star star star star star

Andrea Duncan Columbus, OH

smooth tansaction overall. flights were inexpensive and plentiful. A great experience for a first-time customer. i recommend this site to anyone looking for a great deal!

7 years ago

star star star star star

Dana Bloomingburg, NY

My son visits me several times a year from another state. I am always able to find affordable and even great deals on flights for him and often times his friends as well.

7 years ago

star star star star star

Reem

Friendly and offers good deals. Checking all travelers requirements before check out from the booking site. Offers hotels and transportation in different budgets.

7 years ago

star star star star star

Candy Charlotte, NC

Navigating the site was simple and easy. 20 minutes is enough time to select your flight. I am excited and thrilled to stumble across CheapoAir website.

7 years ago

star star star star star

saskia

with cheapoair, flights are easy to find, Its very convenient and easily accessible,,, the chat is also very useful and they respond in a timely manner

7 years ago

star star star star star

Tessie Wyatt

Good,updated when needed. Affordable products. Easy access when needed. Have used this site for a long time and don't have to compare it to the other travel sites.

7 years ago

star star star star star

Kellie Payne Pickerington, OH

I was able to get a really good price on plane tickets to a rare destination through cheap o air. They have the smaller airlines that offer such destinations and were slim on fees and easy to book through

5 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Myken Salt Lake City, UT

I love using CheapOAir to compare flight prices. The service and website is easy to use and gives me a good way to compare costs through different airlines, dates, places etc.

6 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Benjamin LeBlanc Norcross, GA

Cheapo air has been the best way to find cheapest flights possible for a while.Paris several flights to each other to make sure you have the best price available as well as get you to deadlines from prices but likely jump.

6 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Kaitlyn Rios Ogden, UT

CheapOAir has always presented the best prices for airlines on my more routine flights. They are good a reservations, but are best at finding lowest pricing. I like the attention to economy with CheapOAir.

6 years ago