Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend services I genuinely love and use myself.
The Need for Cost Effective Flights
As someone who travels frequently for both work and pleasure, I’ve tried nearly every booking platform out there, always searching for the best deal, times, and avoiding hidden costs. Now that I am a parent, this is even more important for my annual flights to the US.
When booking flights to the United States, I’ve learned that using the right booking platforms can save hundreds of dollars and prevent nasty surprises. After years of trial and error, I’ve narrowed down my search to four reliable options that consistently deliver value and transparency.
All four options offer great prices, although you always need to follow price fluctuations over time and on different days of the week.
I have just purchased my flight, so you still have time to get a good deal for a summer visit!
My Four Go-To Flight Search Options Comparison
1. Trip.com
Trip.com has become my primary starting point for international flights to the US. This global online travel agency offers competitive pricing and a clean interface that makes comparison shopping straightforward.
2. American Express Travel
For cardholders, American Express Travel provides access to exclusive fares and the ability to use points toward flight purchases. I was surprised when I first discovered this alternative, but we saved over €1,500 the first time compared to all other booking options!
3. Iberia Airlines
Booking directly with Iberia delivers reliable service with clear pricing. Usually, I prefer to compare flights on the other platforms mentioned, but I have often found better deals on the Iberia site directly. Furthermore, their direct routes to major US cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles offer a quality flying experience with transparent policies, especially when traveling as a family.
For our most recent booking for flights to the US, they changed their bonus point system so that you can actually use the Avios instead of having them sit around collecting digital dust. We saved €400 booking directly through Iberia and using our Avios.
4. Skyscanner
As a flight aggregator, Skyscanner searches across hundreds of airlines and booking sites, often finding hidden deals and alternative route options that can significantly reduce costs. This offers a huge advantage, and I love comparing what I find here to what I find directly on the airline sites.
| Platform | Price (with checked bag) | Hidden Fees | Booking Flexibility | Customer Service | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com | $813.10 | Few; clearly displayed | Medium; change fees vary | 24/7 chat support, sometimes slow | Overall value and international options |
| American Express Travel | $820.51 | Almost none; very transparent | High; better cancellation policies for cardholders | Excellent phone support for cardholders | Reward point users, premium travelers |
| Iberia Airlines | $797.51 | None; all-inclusive pricing | Medium; standard airline policies | Direct airline support | Reliability and transparency |
| Skyscanner | $647 (posted); $797.51 (real with checked bag) | Varies by provider; requires careful review | Depends on booking partner | No direct support; redirects to booking site | Finding the absolute lowest fares |
Note: Prices are indicated for my round-trip economy flight from Barcelona to Chicago based on my most recent experience in May 2025 when comparing flights for going home to the US.
In this comparison, the pricing was very close. However, other years I found up to a $300 difference per person! Needless to say, I went with the cheapest option, directly with Iberia, especially with applying my Avios to reduce my ticket price even more! Always consider those extra options you have, whether applying unused miles, or purchasing with a cash-back credit card for purchasing flights to the US.
The Hidden Fee Factor
One of the most frustrating aspects of booking flights is discovering hidden fees after you’ve mentally committed to a price. Here’s how each platform handles transparency:
Trip.com generally displays most fees upfront, though occasionally baggage fees appear later in the booking process. Their total price typically includes taxes and basic fees.
American Express Travel excels at transparency, showing a comprehensive breakdown of costs early in the search process. For cardholders, they clearly indicate which fees might be waived based on your card level.
Iberia offers perhaps the most transparent pricing model. What you see is typically what you pay, with baggage allowances clearly indicated.
Skyscanner varies dramatically depending on which partner site they direct you to. Some partners are transparent, while others hide fees until the final checkout page, especially for international flights. Always click through to see the final price.
Booking Flexibility: What To Keep In Mind
Trip.com offers decent flexibility, though change policies depend largely on the underlying airline. Their trip protection add-ons can provide some peace of mind, though I rarely purchase them.
American Express Travel shines for cardholders, with many premium cards offering trip cancellation insurance and more favorable change policies. Their customer service can often help navigate airline policies when issues arise.
Iberia follows standard airline policies, which can be less flexible than some Online Travel Agencies. However, booking direct means no middle-man if problems occur, which can be invaluable during irregular operations or cancellations.
Skyscanner redirects to various booking sites with wildly different policies. Always read the fine print before booking through their partners, as some offer minimal flexibility.
Expert Tips For Each Platform
Trip.com Tips
- Create an account to access member-only prices
- Their app often has mobile-exclusive discounts
- Customer service is better via chat than phone
- Check their “Price Drop Protection” for longer-term planning
American Express Travel Tips
- Log in before searching to see cardmember rates
- Tuesday releases of new offers often yield better deals
- Call their concierge for complex itineraries
- Their International Airline Program can provide significant savings on premium cabins
Iberia Airlines Tips
- Join Iberia Plus (free) for better rates and seat selection
- Book 60+ days in advance for best pricing, especially for international flights
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer lower fares
- Watch for their seasonal or off-holiday sales (such as Spanish Father’s Day, March 19), often launched without much publicity
Skyscanner Tips
- Use the “Everywhere” and “Whole Month” search features for flexibility
- Be wary of extremely low fares from unknown booking sites, especially for flights to the US
- Check airline reviews on third-party sites before booking through unknown partners
- Create price alerts for specific routes
My Typical Search Strategy
I usually begin with Skyscanner to establish a baseline price range, then check Trip.com for international flights. For Iberia routes specifically, I compare their direct site against aggregators. Finally, if I have Amex points to use, I check American Express Travel to compare cash versus points value, and as I have been lucky with very special pricing in the past.
This multi-platform approach typically saves me up to 30% compared to booking through a single site, though it does require 20-30 minutes of comparison shopping over several days or weeks to find the best price for flights to the US.
Final Thoughts
Each platform has its strengths, and combining them strategically yields the best results. Trip.com excels at international value, American Express offers premium service for cardholders, Iberia provides reliability, and Skyscanner uncovers hidden deals.
What’s your experience been with these platforms? Do you have other go-to options for booking flights to the US? I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend services I genuinely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.
