📑 Table of Contents ▾
Bottom Line First: Kiwi.com Wins for Groups — Average Savings of 15%-25%
For a group of friends booking flights to Santiago (SCL), choosing the right platform matters. Real user data shows Kiwi.com averages 15%-25% cheaper than booking direct with airlines (Trustpilot aggregated reviews, 2025). Aviasales is the preferred choice for Russian-speaking users and sometimes undercuts Kiwi.com on specific routes. For 4 friends traveling together, Kiwi.com’s unique Nomad feature automatically builds multi-city itineraries — far more convenient than manually stitching together separate bookings.
Real Flight Prices to Santiago in 2026
Before diving into the comparison, here are actual 2026 prices to Santiago de Chile (source: Google Flights aggregate, 2026):
- New York (JFK/EWR) → Santiago (SCL): Economy roundtrip, $400-600
- Madrid (MAD) → Santiago (SCL): Economy roundtrip, $600-900
- Los Angeles (LAX) → Santiago (SCL): Economy roundtrip, $350-550 (operated by LATAM with one connection)
- Off-season (May–September): 10%-20% below the above ranges
- Shoulder season (April, October): Middle ground — best value for flexible travelers
The key money move: Avoid December–February peak season. Easter week (late March–early April) drives prices through the roof. For 4 friends traveling off-season, you can save $200-400 per person on roundtrip fares.
Kiwi.com vs Aviasales: Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Kiwi.com | Aviasales |
|---|---|---|
| Price calendar view | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-city / Nomad | ✅ Unique Nomad tool | ✅ Manual setup |
| Price protection (Guarantee) | ✅ Flight cancellation coverage | ❌ No uniform protection |
| Free 24-hour cancellation/changes | ❌ Varies by fare | ❌ Varies by fare |
| Free carry-on bag | ❌ Not included in base fares | ❌ Not included in base fares |
| Extra checked bag | ✅ $30-60 per bag | ✅ $30-60 per bag |
| Chinese language support | ✅ Full Chinese interface | ❌ Russian/English only |
| Trustpilot score | 3.7/5 (2025 aggregated) | 3.9/5 (2025 aggregated) |
Kiwi.com vs Aviasales: Which Is More Reliable for Group Bookings?
Kiwi.com’s Key Advantages
The Nomad feature is the real deal: If your group plans to visit Santiago plus Lima, Buenos Aires, or Rio de Janeiro, Kiwi.com’s Nomad automatically calculates the cheapest multi-city route combination. No more manually stitching together separate bookings across multiple platforms.
Real price data: According to Trustpilot aggregated reviews in 2025, Kiwi.com fares average 15%-25% below airline direct booking prices. Some routes show differences up to 40%. The main user complaint: baggage policies require careful reading before booking.
Book here: Kiwi.com flights to Santiago
Aviasales’s Key Advantages
Aviasales dominates in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan as the go-to flight meta-search. Prices occasionally beat Kiwi.com, especially on routes departing from Russian-speaking countries. The interface is clean and search results load fast.
Watch out: Aviasales is a meta-search engine — actual tickets are issued by third-party travel agencies. Customer service quality varies widely. Complaints mostly center on communication delays for refunds and date changes.
Search here: Aviasales flights to Santiago
Real Scenario: 4 Friends, New York to Santiago, First Week of October
| Item | Kiwi.com | Aviasales |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated total for 4 people | $1,800-2,200 | $1,700-2,400 |
| Free checked bags included | No (pay extra) | No (pay extra) |
| Multi-city support | ✅ Nomad auto-planning | ✅ Manual configuration |
| Flight cancellation protection | ✅ Kiwi.com Guarantee | ❌ Varies by agency |
| Chinese customer support | ❌ | ❌ |
| Refund speed | 5-10 business days | Varies by agency |
Verdict: For simple roundtrip bookings, Aviasales occasionally prices lower. For multi-city trips or when you need protection, Kiwi.com is the safer choice. Always search both before committing.
Practical Tips Before Booking
Baggage savings tip: Most economy fares exclude checked bags ($30-60 per 23kg bag). For 4 friends, buy all bags at the time of booking — it’s 30%-50% cheaper than paying at the airport counter. Don’t forget your free carry-on (7-10kg) — pack smart and you might avoid a checked bag entirely.
Flight protection: Strongly recommend pairing your booking with AirHelp for delay and cancellation coverage. Flights to South America are long (10+ hours from New York, 12-16 hours with connections), and delays are common. A $20-40 protection policy pays for itself the moment a connection is missed.
Best time to book: For international flights, set up price alerts 2-4 months out. Fares tend to dip on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when airlines recalibrate seat inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should we book tickets together or separately?
A: Search together and book on the same day if possible. A single booking means shared baggage allowances (saves money) and a simpler process if the flight gets cancelled or rescheduled.
Q: How does Kiwi.com’s Nomad feature work?
A: On Kiwi.com, select “Multi-city” and enter all the cities you want to visit (Santiago, Lima, Buenos Aires, etc.). The Nomad system automatically calculates the cheapest route combination, including segments that may involve land transport. Note: some Nomad-generated itineraries fall outside standard passenger protection rules — read the fine print before paying.
Q: Is it safe to book through Aviasales third-party agents?
A: Aviasales itself doesn’t issue tickets — partner travel agencies do. Most are legitimate businesses, but quality varies. Stick to agencies with high ratings and physical storefronts. Avoid newly registered partners with ratings below 4.0.
Q: Do South American flights frequently get delayed?
A: Yes — Latin American airlines have lower on-time performance than North American and European carriers. Consider AirHelp coverage: if your flight is cancelled or delayed over 3 hours, you can claim compensation.
Q: What should I know about Santiago’s airport?
A: SCL (Arturo Merino Benítez Airport) is one of South America’s busiest hubs. Upon arrival, you’ll fill out a Chile Entry Card (Tarjeta de Entrada) — the visa-free stay is 30 days (passport must be valid for 6+ months beyond arrival). Exchange a small amount of Chilean pesos at the airport, but you’ll get better rates in the city.
Want to turn travel into a career? Join Travel Arbitrage Partners
