Planning your next adventure, whether a quick weekend getaway or a grand world tour, can be exciting. However, let’s face it, finding cheap flight deals is key to making your travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank. That’s where Kiwi.com comes in. Known for its innovative search features and budget-friendly options, Kiwi.com offers unique tools to help you navigate the often complex world of air travel.
In this blog, we’ll explore Kiwi.com’s best features, discuss some of its shortcomings, and provide step-by-step instructions on using the platform effectively. So, whether you’re a budget traveler or just looking to save cash on your next trip, let’s explore how Kiwi.com can help you get the most bang for your buck.
Features of Kiwi.com
Kiwi has many great features that make it appealing to users looking to save on flights. Here are some of them:
Virtual interlining technology
Kiwi.com’s “Virtual Interlining” technology, introduced in 2012, is a standout feature. It combines flight segments from over 250 low-cost carriers with those from full-service carriers. When all ground transport providers are included, there will be about 750 carriers travelers can choose from.
This innovative feature allows Kiwi.com to combine flights from airlines that don’t usually cooperate, offering travelers money-saving options. It’s particularly useful for booking complex multi-city trips or when direct flights are unavailable or too expensive. This concept also aligns with the rise of self-connecting travel, where single flights are strung together to create a network of connections that wouldn’t be available under traditional interline or codeshare agreements.
Kiwi.com guarantee
The Kiwi.com Guarantee, or disruption protection, is an extra service that covers you if your trip is disrupted due to changes, cancellations, or delays by carriers. If this happens, Kiwi.com will either get you to your destination or provide you with an immediate refund.
Depending on availability, you can add the Kiwi.com Guarantee when booking your trip or afterwards. If it’s still available, you can add it to your trip page. If you didn’t purchase the Kiwi.com Guarantee, you’re protected from last-minute changes with Transfer Protection, which covers disruptions to self-transfer itineraries less than an hour before departure.
You can cancel your Kiwi flights up to 48 hours before departure and still be eligible for a refund. The refund depends on the ticket type you selected when booking and will be either in Kiwi.com Credit or refunded to your original payment method.
Search flexibility
The Kiwi flight search option enhances flexibility for travelers. Users can search for flights to and from broad categories like cities, countries, or continents. The platform also features an “Anywhere” search option to explore any destination that fits their budget.
For those with flexible travel dates, Kiwi.com allows users to search for flights on specific dates or use the flexible date search to find the cheapest flights within a range of dates. This feature allows travelers to take advantage of the best available fares.
Finally, Kiwi.com’s Nomad search option allows travelers to input multiple destinations and dates. Kiwi.com generates the most cost-effective itinerary, covering all the selected locations. This tool is designed for travelers who want to visit several places in one trip but are flexible about the order of destinations and travel dates.
Why You Need an Alternative for Kiwi.com
No platform is perfect, including Kiwi.com. Before using Kiwi.com to book flights, you need to be aware of these potential disadvantages.
Risk of missed connections and additional costs
Kiwi.com sometimes books flights from different airlines that don’t work together, called “self-transfer” or “virtual interlining.” If one flight is late, the next one might not wait, so you could miss your connections. Also, your baggage might not be checked at your final destination, so you’ll need to re-check it during layovers, which can be stressful and time-consuming. This might lead to unexpected costs, like buying new flights or paying for a place to stay overnight.
Lack of customer service
Kiwi.com’s customer service is often criticized. Many users struggle to get help quickly and effectively when problems like flight cancellations or booking issues occur. Response times can be slow, and the support might not solve urgent travel problems. This can leave travelers stranded or facing extra costs. While Kiwi.com is great when everything goes smoothly, its lack of reliable customer support can be a big problem when issues arise.
The deals may not always be the cheapest
While Kiwi.com can be a great way to save money on travel by finding low-cost options, the cheapest flight isn’t always guaranteed. Kiwi.com makes money by charging a surcharge for booking flights, trains, and buses on one itinerary. For example, if your itinerary involves a flight, a train ride, and a bus journey, you would need to book each of these legs individually through Kiwi.com.
Despite these drawbacks, some travelers find the convenience of booking all their Kiwi tickets at once worth the potential extra cost. This means they only need to enter their data once instead of multiple times for each separate booking.
Steps to Use Kiwi to Save on Flights
Using Kiwi.com can be a smart way to find cheaper flights. Here’s a simple guide on how to use Kiwi.com effectively to save on your next flight:
Step 1: Access Kiwi.com
To start using Kiwi.com, open your web browser on a computer or mobile device, then type in https://www.kiwi.com. This will take you to Kiwi.com’s homepage.
Step 2. Start your search
Starting your search is simple. On Kiwi.com’s homepage, locate the search box. Here, you’ll enter your departure city and destination. If you’re open to various destinations, select ‘Anywhere’ to discover the cheapest options from your starting point.
Next, select your travel dates. If you have specific dates in mind, choose them. Opt for ‘Anytime’ to view the cheapest travel dates for more flexibility and potentially better deals. For flexibility, you can also use the ‘+1’, ‘+3’, and ‘+5’ days options. For instance, if you have the entire month of December off but only want to travel for two weeks, this feature can be useful.
Step 3. Use flexible search options
Utilize the ‘Nomad’ Tool for multi-city trips by inputting all the cities you plan to visit. Kiwi.com will calculate the cheapest route and order of cities for you. This tool helps you build the best-value multi-city trips, and you can also see which days are the cheapest to travel using the interactive calendar.
If you have specific travel dates, check out the calendar view to see price differences around those dates. This can help you find cheaper options just a few days from your original choice.
Step 4. Review flight options
Kiwi.com offers different ways to make your flight search more specific. You can use filters to find flights with no stops, one stop, or more stops, as well as to control how long your flights are through “Connections” and even choose certain airlines. Using these filters can really help you find the best Kiwi flights for your needs. For example, if you have a favorite airline or want a shorter trip, you can adjust the filters to see only those flights.
Step 5: Select your flight
After reviewing the options, choose the flight that best balances price and convenience for you. Here, the total cost is $443, which includes the ticket and one cabin baggage.
Step 6. Add passenger details, extras, and protections
If you scroll down the page, you’ll have to input primary passenger details, including nationality, gender, and passport number.
There is also an available carry-on bundle, and you can add up to two checked bags to your trip up to 36 hours before your flight. After that, you can’t add bags through Kiwi.com, but you might be able to add them at the airport. For more details, check your airline’s rules. If you don’t need checked bags, select the “I don’t need a checked baggage” option.
At the bottom, you’ll see a section for travel insurance. Choose from Travel Plus, Travel Basic, or No insurance. To see details about what each package covers, click on the ‘Comparison and terms’ link. A pop-up window will show you the differences between Travel Plus and Travel Basic. At the bottom of the window, you’ll find detailed terms and conditions. Read them to make the best choice for you.
Step 7. Confirm and complete your booking
After step 6, complete your booking with a few more steps, including adding disruption protection, choosing seats, and customizing your trip if seats are available. Then, enter your payment information. Kiwi.com accepts credit and debit cards, Revolut, and PayPal. Double-check all your flight details and personal information, and add your contact information. You can also add promo codes if you have any.
With this guide, you’ll surely be able to use the Kiwi flight search tool effectively to get the best flight deals. Whether you’re booking a simple one-way ticket or a complex multi-city trip, Kiwi.com helps you save money and find great options. Use the flexible search tools, consider adding protections like the Kiwi.com Guarantee, and stay updated with the mobile app for a smoother experience. With Kiwi cheap flights, you’re all set to handle your travel plans on a budget.
