[throwaway2037]

    > Every time I try to book direct “because it’s best” I easily spend triple the time

I have a similar experience. As a result, I have not booked a flight directly on the carrier's website in years. Do only suckers use the carrier's website now, because the prices and/or service are always worse? Sigh.

[sureIy]

I still try to book direct because I (uh) enjoy opening 10 sites/apps at once and comparing the prices and getting the last dollar, but yeah if you value time more than money, booking direct is not a great idea.