Hipmunk Says Goodbye (hipmunk.com)

Article summary

The article announces the shutdown of Hipmunk, a travel search site. The comments reveal that Hipmunk's closure is attributed to its parent company's decision to focus on corporate travel solutions. Users are discussing alternative travel search sites and sharing their experiences. The discussion also touches on the challenges of the travel tech industry and the impact of acquisitions on smaller companies.

Main themes

• travel search sites
• Hipmunk shutdown
• alternative travel options
• travel tech industry
• acquisitions and mergers

What commenters say

• Hipmunk's unique features, such as its visualization and agony sort, made it a preferred choice for some users, but it ultimately failed to make a significant impact.
• The travel tech industry is highly competitive, and companies like Hipmunk struggle to survive due to the dominance of larger players.
• Some users prefer to book flights directly with airlines or through other search sites like Google Flights, while others appreciate the personalized experience offered by smaller sites like Hipmunk.
• The shutdown of Hipmunk is seen as a loss of a unique and useful service, with some attributing it to the soulless decision-making of its corporate parent.
• The lack of easy access to data and booking capabilities is a significant challenge for travel startups, making it difficult for them to compete with established players.
• Acquisitions can be detrimental to smaller companies, leading to the cannibalization of their products and services.
• Some users value the human interaction and personalized service offered by airline ticket counters, while others prefer the convenience and speed of online booking.