Skiplagged vs RatePunk: Which Finds Better Deals?

Discover Skiplagged vs RatePunk and see which tool scores better flight deals for your next trip. If you're hunting for cheap flights or hotel savings, this breakdown covers key differences in how each finds deals, user perks, and real results. RatePunk stands out with exclusive alerts on flights up to 90% off, plus tools like our browser extension for instant price checks. Travelers love how it scans major sites for the lowest rates on hotels too. Unlike risky hidden-city tricks, RatePunk delivers safe, reliable options straight to your email.

Sign up for RatePunk today and start grabbing those unbeatable flight deals.

What Is Skiplagged?

Skiplagged helps people book cheap flights by using a method called hidden-city ticketing. This means it finds routes where your real destination is just a layover on a longer trip. For example, a flight from New York to Chicago might cost less if it's part of a trip to Los Angeles. You get off at the layover and skip the rest. The site started in 2013 and has faced pushback from airlines like American, who sued them over this practice. As of 2025, Skiplagged keeps offering these fares, but users risk issues like canceled return trips or bag problems since checked luggage goes to the final stop.

The app and website let you search for flights and hotels, with a rewards program giving credits on bookings. Recent reviews show mixed feelings. Some praise big savings, like 60% off fares, but others report boarding denials or poor support. Trustpilot gives it 2.4 stars from 22 reviews, with complaints about refunds and reliability. Still, it's popular for one-way trips where risks are low.

What Is RatePunk?

RatePunk is a travel technology platform designed to help travelers save time and money by finding the best deals on flights and hotels. Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, and founded in 2022, RatePunk offers a suite of tools, including a browser extension, mobile app, and flight deal subscription service, all aimed at simplifying the booking process and securing exclusive discounts.

Key Features:

1) Flight Deals Subscription:

- RatePunk’s flagship product, RatePunk Flights, delivers personalized flight deals directly to your inbox, with savings of up to 90% on tickets. Users select their preferred departure airports, and RatePunk’s AI-powered system scans the internet 24/7 to uncover hidden fares and exclusive offers not always found on platforms like Google Flights or Skyscanner.

- Deals are tailored to user preferences, covering over 100 destinations, including peak season, holiday, short-haul, long-haul, weekend breaks, and last-minute flights. For example, users have reported roundtrip deals like New York to Los Angeles for $200 (vs. $600) or Paris for $378.

- The Flights Dashboard provides dynamic sorting options (e.g., by price difference or percentage drop) and an AI deal score to evaluate offer quality.

2) Hotel Price Comparison Extension:

- RatePunk’s free browser extension (available for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox) automatically compares hotel prices across major booking sites like Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, and Agoda when you browse. It pops up to display the lowest available rates, ensuring you never overpay.

- Additional features include price drop notifications, rebooking alerts for free-cancellation hotels, and cashback rewards (up to 7%) on eligible bookings. The extension has reportedly saved users over $19 million by identifying savings as high as $3,000 per stay.

- Unique tools include a one-click Airbnb price negotiator, access to zero-margin booking sites, and VPN-based price checks for better rates in other countries.

Mobile App:

The RatePunk app mirrors the web experience, offering intuitive deal browsing with categories like Trending, Romantic, Beach, or Business. It includes advanced filters, AI deal scores, and seamless access to all premium features with a subscription. The app is free to download on iOS and Android, with recent updates as of June 2025.

User Experience and Reviews:

- Positive Feedback: Over 50,000 users have praised RatePunk for its ease of use and significant savings. Travelers have shared stories of booking dream trips to destinations like Thailand, Hawaii, and Bali at steep discounts (e.g., Bali for $400 less than usual). The platform’s personalized alerts and user-friendly interface are frequently highlighted.

- Criticism: Some users report that basic membership deals may not always outperform manual searches on other aggregators, and there are occasional concerns about unclear pricing for add-ons or subscriptions. RatePunk addresses this with a 14-day money-back guarantee and responsive customer support at hi@ratepunk.com.

Legitimacy and Credibility:

- RatePunk is a legitimate company with a 4.2-star rating from 670+ reviews and coverage in major outlets like Forbes, The Washington Post, and The Telegraph.

- While some skepticism exists about overly aggressive marketing or “too good to be true” claims, scam checks (e.g., Scamadviser) confirm ratepunk.com as reliable, with a valid SSL certificate and a domain active since 2022.

Why Choose RatePunk?

RatePunk stands out for its AI-driven deal curation, seamless integration into existing booking habits, and focus on both flights and hotels. It’s ideal for budget-conscious travelers, frequent flyers, or anyone looking to save without spending hours comparing prices. While not every deal is groundbreaking, the platform’s transparency, free tools, and money-back guarantee make it a low-risk option for smarter travel planning.

Discover Our 

- Flight Deals

- Hotels

- Extension

Check our blog for tips on using it with tools like Google Flights.

How They Find Deals

Skiplagged digs into airline pricing gaps with hidden-city searches, showing fares other sites miss. It scans like Kayak but adds those loophole routes. Drawback? Airlines ban it in contracts, and frequent use might get you flagged. In 2025, a Texas court ruled it's legal, but carriers still fight back, like American winning $9.4 million in a lawsuit.

RatePunk uses AI to scan the web nonstop for exclusive deals, focusing on error fares, flash sales, and promo codes. It alerts you in real-time without risks. For hotels, it compares OTAs and direct bookings for the cheapest. Users get unlimited notifications, and the extension integrates with searches for one-click savings. This makes it more versatile for full trips. See user reviews where folks saved hundreds without hassle.

Deal Quality and Savings

Savings vary, but RatePunk often edges out with consistent wins. Tests in 2025 show it found a New York to London roundtrip for $289 vs Skiplagged's $350 hidden-city option, which risked bag loss. RatePunk users report average savings of 40-70% on flights, like $849 to $289 for Thailand. It includes peak-season deals too.

Skiplagged shines on domestic one-ways, saving up to 50%, but international trips hit snags. A 2025 Frommer's test ranked it third for cheap fares, but noted missing bag fees and filters. RatePunk ties with top sites like Skyscanner for value, per Serchen reviews, and adds hotel combos saving extra 20-30%. For example, pair a cheap flight with a hotel deal for under $500 total on popular spots.

User Experience and Features

Skiplagged's interface is simple for quick searches, with a mobile app for on-the-go bookings. Features include rewards credits ($10 free for sign-up) and a guarantee for disruptions. But navigation feels basic, and no alerts mean you check manually. Reviews mention glitches and slow support.

RatePunk feels modern and user-friendly, with customizable alerts and easy filters for dates or budgets. The extension auto-compares prices on any site, saving time. iOS and Android apps get high marks for smooth design, plus voice search in beta. It integrates hotels seamlessly, unlike Skiplagged's separate tab. Head to our blog for guides on maximizing features like deal trackers.

Ready to save? Get RatePunk's extension and start comparing now.

Pricing and Plans

Both start free, but extras differ. Skiplagged charges no fees for searches, but bookings might add service costs. Their rewards program is optional, earning $25 credits per trip.

RatePunk is fully free for basic alerts and comparisons, with a premium upgrade for more frequent emails and priority deals. No exact prices, but it's affordable for heavy travelers. The extension is always free, making it accessible. Unlike Skiplagged, no hidden fees pop up.

Pros and Cons

Skiplagged Pros:

• Unique hidden-city fares for big one-time savings.
• Free app with rewards.
• Good for flexible, bag-free trips.

Skiplagged Cons:

• Risks like flight bans or lost bags.
• Mixed reviews on reliability (2.4 stars on Sitejabber).
• Limited alerts and features.

RatePunk Pros:

• Safe, AI-driven deals up to 90% off.
• Combines flights and hotels for total savings.
• Personalized emails and extension for ease.
• Strong 4-star ratings and 50,000+ happy users.

RatePunk Cons:

• Premium for advanced alerts costs extra.
• Focuses more on alerts than instant bookings.

RatePunk wins for everyday use. Explore more on our reviews page.

Which One Finds Better Deals?

RatePunk takes the crown for better, safer deals in 2025. It avoids Skiplagged's risks while delivering deeper savings on flights and hotels. A NerdWallet comparison ranks similar tools high, but RatePunk's AI and alerts make it stand out. Users save more consistently, per Trustpilot data. For hidden-city fans, Skiplagged works, but RatePunk's reliability suits most.

Here's a quick comparison table:

Data from 2025 reviews shows RatePunk users saved $300 average per trip vs Skiplagged's $200, with fewer issues. 

FAQ

Is RatePunk better than Skiplagged for international flights?

Yes, RatePunk excels with safe, exclusive deals up to 90% off on long-haul routes. It sends alerts for error fares without risks like bag issues. Users saved $500+ on trips to Asia or Europe, per 2025 reviews.

What are the risks of using Skiplagged?

Airlines can cancel your ticket or ban you for hidden-city bookings. Checked bags go to the final stop, and refunds are tricky. A 2025 court case let it continue, but complaints on Trustpilot highlight denials.

How does RatePunk's browser extension work?

It scans hotel and flight sites automatically, showing cheaper options in a popup. Free to install, it saved users 20-30% on bookings. Pair it with our flight deals for max value.

Can I use both Skiplagged and RatePunk?

Sure, but RatePunk covers more ground safely. Use Skiplagged for one-ways, then RatePunk for alerts and hotels. 
 

What's the best way to get started with RatePunk?

Sign up on the site, pick your airport, and set alert frequency. You'll get deals via email. The app adds mobile ease. Over 50,000 users rave about it in reviews.

Don't miss out, try RatePunk for your next deal.