Start by asking what the traveller needs to take and how much flexibility they require. Then compare the available offers against those requirements. A headline fare alone does not give you a complete decision record.

This guide provides a practical comparison method. Airline rules and supplier displays differ, so use the terms returned for the specific itinerary rather than applying a generic baggage or flexibility rule.

Define the journey and requirements

Record the airports, dates, passengers and preferred travel times. Include any essential requirement, such as a checked bag or a particular item of equipment. This keeps the later comparison tied to the customer’s actual trip.

Use identical journey details when comparing offers. If one involves different airports or connections, make that difference explicit so the customer can decide whether the saving is relevant to them.

Keep unresolved questions visible. A blank baggage field should prompt a check, not an assumption that a bag is included or excluded.

Compare fare inclusions behind the brand

Travelport’s branded fare documentation describes airline brands that group services and conditions. Brand names and inclusions vary, so matching labels are not proof of matching offers. Source: Travelport: branded fares

List the customer’s requirements beside each fare and mark them as included, separately priced or unresolved. Include seat selection and change conditions where they matter to the traveller. This makes the reason for a recommendation clear without relying on words such as “premium” or “flexible”.

For an illustrative comparison, one fare might already include the checked bag the customer needs while another requires an extra purchase. Obtain the applicable extra price before comparing totals. Do not insert a remembered baggage fee from another trip.

Check cabin bags and checked bags separately

IATA explains that baggage allowances are airline-specific and may vary by cabin, aircraft or route. Avoid presenting a single weight or dimension as a universal standard. Source: IATA: passenger baggage rules

For each offer, record the permitted pieces, dimensions and weight for the relevant baggage categories. If a customer plans to take sports equipment, a pushchair or a musical instrument, check that item through the appropriate airline or supplier guidance.

Save the information used in the quote with a date and itinerary reference. This gives the next adviser context for a baggage question instead of a screenshot whose origin is unclear.

Identify who operates each flight

Read the operating airline for every segment. British Airways explains that some flights with a BA flight number are operated by partner airlines and that baggage can differ on journeys involving other airlines. Source: British Airways: baggage with partner airlines

Do not infer the operator from the logo or flight number alone. Keep the operator alongside each segment so you know which information needs checking when the customer asks about the journey.

For a connection involving different carriers, verify the rules that apply to the actual itinerary. If the display is unclear, ask the airline or supplier to resolve it before making a promise. Avoid applying a remembered rule about the longest flight to every journey.

Show the customer the meaningful differences

Present a short comparison containing the total for the requested inclusions, the key restrictions and the questions still outstanding. Explain the trade-off in a sentence: for example, a higher priced offer may include a required bag while a lower priced offer still needs that cost confirmed.

This is a suggested explanation, not a claim about a particular fare. Use the verified details for the offers in front of you and avoid claiming one is better for every traveller.

Recheck the selected offer before booking

Return to the selected itinerary and verify the fare, inclusions and conditions at the point of booking. Keep the customer’s choice and the supplier’s final details together so there is a clear record of what was agreed.

For broader context, read our guide to why live travel prices can change. The comparison process should end with a verified offer, not an old search result treated as a lasting promise.

Written and updated by Travelgenix. Sources checked on 16 October 2026. Worked examples and checklists are editorial illustrations and recommendations, not customer results.