Travel search engines: WebJet.com.au App (review)

In a time when travellers and tourist are flooded with hundreds of flight and accommodation search engine options, it’s hard to know which ones to use and which ones to trust. But for all travel in and around Australia and New Zealand, Webjet is your best go-to site.

Webjet offer an easy-to-use search and booking platform that enables the user to easily compare flight prices and times, hotels and car hire options, and pay for it all in one easy booking.

It is important to note that the Webjet app will charge a Webjet Servicing Fee of $32.95 and Booking Price Guarantee of $21.95 per booking, which can include multiple passengers and products.

However, some people will be happy to pay this fee for the convenience the Webjet app provides. The app is simple to find in the Google Play or Apple App Store and quick to download. The home screen is engaging and clean, and displays your recent search history so that you can easily access this information at a later date. It only takes a few taps to purchase a flight, car or hotel. And, you can conveniently view past and upcoming trips in your Webjet profile within the app.

Usability

Hotels can be searched quickly using your “nearest location” and specials are clearly labelled on the results page. You can view hotels in a list or map, and compare star and TripAdvisor ratings.

Flights are also easily searched. Once you have entered your origin, destination and dates, you can use the options at the bottom of the results page to filter your search (by airline, maximum price, maximum number of stops and flight time) or sort (by departure time, price, stops, duration and airline). Fare rules (cancellation policy) and baggage allowance (if any) is displayed once you have selected your flights.

The app makes it easy to click through to the next page and complete your whole booking. It also offers the options to “Add Another Flight”, purchase travel insurance (which is always advisable), or add a car or hotel onto the same booking – helping you avoid paying more than one fee.

At checkout, all of your selected flights/hotels/car hires are displayed for your final review and Webjet Terms and Airfare Rules are presented for your agreement. You need to have an account and be logged in to “Pay Now” and finalise your purchase.

Price compatibility

Flight, hotel and car hire prices are easily comparable in the app search results so you can see the best deals and get value for your money.

Sadly, some people will use the app or website to find the best deals and book them direct with the airline to avoid Webjet service charges.

Flexible date searches

There is no option to enter flexible dates. You must select a departure date from the calendar, and a return date or second departure date if you select the return or multi-city search options.

Flexible location searches

When I typed ‘Australia’, ‘Norway’ or ‘Poland’ into the destination search, I was provided with a list of large cities and airports in that country to choose from – a great tool if you are unsure of what cities you want to fly into.

However, unlike Skyscanner’s “Search Everywhere” function (one of my favourite search engine functions!), the Webjet app asks the user to specify a destination city before it will perform a search. It will allow you to select an “all airports” option if there is more than one airport in the city you have selected.

Mix and match airlines carriers

Unless you are travelling in Australia and/or New Zealand, there is limited option to mix and match airline carriers. Once you select the first leg of your journey in a foreign country, you are forced to select the return leg on the same airline.

Since it is sometimes cheaper to return with a different carrier, this flaw means that users are unable to get the best possible deals by mixing all airlines.

Powerful search tools

It is clear that this is an Australian and New Zealand search tool better used in Australia and New Zealand.

Webjet has partnered with several travel domains to offer an integrated and geographically diverse search engine, but it is missing opportunities by not providing cheap airline options in and around Europe with partners such as Ryan Air, Wizz Air, and EasyJet. For this reason, it can’t compete with some of the larger search engines already dominating the market in Europe, such as Skyscanner, KAYAK, Expedia and momondo.

 

Rest assured, for a (small?) Webjet Servicing Fee of $32.95 and Booking Price Guarantee of $21.95 per booking, Webjet’s app will have all your Australian and New Zealand travel needs covered.