Going vs Skyscanner
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) is a flight deal alert service that tracks airfare across destinations and notifies members when prices drop significantly or when mistake fares appear, so travelers can book directly with the airline without a booking-fee markup. Alerts are delivered by email and through the mobile app.
Skyscanner is a leading global travel marketplace that helps users find and compare the best prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals from hundreds of providers. By aggregating data from airlines and travel agencies worldwide, it empowers travelers to make informed decisions and secure the most cost-effective travel arrangements. The platform offers powerful search filters, price tracking alerts, and flexible date options to help users plan trips efficiently. Operating primarily as a meta-search engine, Skyscanner redirects users to the best booking sites to complete their purchases without adding hidden fees to the ticket prices.
- Genuine mistake-fare and error-fare alerts
- No booking markup since it links to the airline directly
- Tiered pricing lets casual users start free
- Positive TrustPilot rating and mainstream media coverage
- Completely free to use with no hidden booking fees
- Comprehensive comparison across hundreds of airlines and OTAs
- Helpful 'Whole Month' view for finding cheapest travel dates
- User-friendly mobile apps for on-the-go trip management
- Best deals are gated behind paid Premium/Elite tiers
- Free tier is limited to continental US economy deals
- Deal availability and departure city selection affect how useful alerts are
- Redirects to third-party sites for booking which can occasionally complicate customer support
- Prices can sometimes fluctuate between the search view and final checkout
- Lacks a unified loyalty rewards program across all booking partners
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGoing offers targeted mistake‑fare alerts with a freemium model but limits free access, while Skyscanner provides broad, free flight comparison without direct booking discounts.
Key differences
- •Going focuses on error‑fare alerts and direct airline links; Skyscanner aggregates prices from 1,200 partners.
- •Going has a paid Premium/Elite tier for deeper coverage; Skyscanner is completely free.
- •Going’s alerts are limited to US economy deals on the free tier; Skyscanner covers global routes and multiple cabin classes.
- •Skyscanner includes hotels and car rentals and a whole‑month search tool; Going is flight‑only.
- •Skyscanner redirects to third‑party sites for booking, whereas Going sends users straight to airlines.
Pricing & value
Skyscanner is fully free with no paid tiers, while Going requires Premium/Elite for the best deals.
Ease of use / learning curve
Skyscanner’s UI is described as user‑friendly with mobile apps; Going’s tiered alerts add complexity.
Features & depth
Going provides unique mistake‑fare alerts and direct airline booking, which Skyscanner does not offer.
Integrations & ecosystem
Skyscanner aggregates from 1,200 partners and includes hotels/car rentals; Going only handles flights.
Support
Skyscanner lists Help Center and email support; Going’s support details are not specified.
Security & privacy
Neither product’s security or privacy specifics are provided.
Migration / lock‑in
Both are standalone services with no data migration details; no lock‑in mentioned.
Choose Going if…
Budget‑focused travelers who want exclusive mistake‑fare alerts and are willing to pay for premium coverage.
Choose Skyscanner if…
General travelers needing free, comprehensive price comparison across flights, hotels, and cars worldwide.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use Skyscanner?
No, Skyscanner is free to use with no hidden booking fees.
Can I get mistake‑fare alerts without paying?
Going’s free tier only covers US economy deals; mistake‑fare alerts are primarily behind its paid Premium/Elite tiers.
Where do I complete the booking after finding a flight?
Going directs you to the airline’s website; Skyscanner redirects you to third‑party sites or OTAs for checkout.