How to compare flight quotes properly

The quick answer

Compare the total payable for the same trip, with the bags and extras you actually need. Check the airports, connection type and change conditions before choosing.

Start with the same trip

Put both options side by side and check the departure and arrival airports, dates and passenger numbers. A flight arriving the following day can look similar on a small screen but change your plans considerably. Note the local arrival date as well as the time.

Tell us your non-negotiables first: perhaps you must arrive before a family event, need a checked bag or can only leave after work. That gives your adviser a useful brief and saves repeated messages about unsuitable options.

Compare the amount you will actually pay

A lower initial fare may include fewer extras. Write down the flight total, any bags you will add and any seat choices you want. Count both directions and every passenger. Keep optional extras separate so you can see which ones matter to you.

• Confirm whether the displayed amount is per person or for everyone.
• Check cabin bags and checked bags separately.
• Include your own airport travel or overnight-stop costs in the comparison.

Look beyond the number of stops

Check who operates each flight and whether the journey involves separate tickets. Ask about changing terminals or airports, collecting bags and the amount of time between flights. A cheaper option can mean more work during the journey.

Read the change and cancellation conditions before paying. A change fee and a fare difference are different costs; an option described as flexible may still have conditions. Emirates, for example, directs customers who booked through an agent back to that agent for changes. Ask what applies to your particular ticket.

Make your choice easy to explain

Shortlist two options and write one sentence about each: lower total cost, fewer stops or a better arrival time. If you are comparing payment plans, compare the total repayable as well as the first payment.

Send Travelcart your route, dates, passenger ages and baggage needs. We can explain the quoted options before you choose. Ask us to confirm the current price and ticketing deadline; a quote or reservation reference alone is not an issued ticket.

Your checklist

• Same airports, dates and passengers
• Bags and preferred extras included
• Connection type understood
• Change rules and payment total checked

Questions and answers

Keep planning your journey

• Baggage allowance without the guesswork
• Connecting flights or self-transfer?
• How flexible dates can change your flight options
• Flight instalments, explained simply

Sources and latest guidance

Last checked: 2026-09-13

• CAA: planning your trip
• Google Flights: baggage-fee comparisons
• Emirates: changing a flight