Kayak’s Debby Soo tips and tricks for snagging cheaper flights. Even business class ones.

SINGAPORE — Savvy travellers probably can’t imagine a life before Kayak. The search engine website is usually used to compare prices of air flights, but it can do so much more, said Debby Soo, vice president of Kayak’s Asia Pacific operations.

“You can also do hotel bookings without leaving the site; we have an option in our hotel searches that shows the total booking amount instead of just nightly fees. We also have a My Trips feature, which you can use to create your itinerary,” she said. “If you download the app, you can use My Trips without requiring Internet connection to receive info on whether your flight transfers are on schedule. You don’t need to dig through your emails to get to your various bookings.”

Because she travels three weeks every month, one can understand why the San Francisco-based Soo considers staying at home a holiday. Although she added: “I live in a beautiful city but if I have to go somewhere, I’d be happy to be in Italy or on a beach in Koh Samui.” Serene Lim

Q: How has the response to Kayak Singapore been since it was launched?

A: It has been good. Although it was officially launched last month, the site had been live for about nine months prior to that. We’re seeing some significant trends, like how (travellers’) favourite destinations are Bali, Phuket and Bangkok. We’re also in the process of adding private fairs for hotel bookings, where you can get up to 20 to 30 per cent off. It’s coming up very soon.

Q: As a frequent traveller, how do you ensure your trip goes smoothly?

A: I start with the booking and I would break my long haul flight into different legs to see if I can get a better price. I always make sure I check-in and choose my seat prior to the flight. If it’s a particularly tiring long haul trip, I ask at the check-in counter if there are business class tickets available. It’s cheaper to buy it then than at the get-go. Sometimes it can be as low as US$1,000 (S$1,350) to get an upgrade. My laptop and phone are always fully charged, and I always have a portable charger with me so I can watch my movies or play my games.

Q: Do you try to squeeze in vacation time whenever you travel for work?

A: Sometimes. My parents stay in Taipei and if I’m going to Hong Kong for work, I plan it such that I can go to Taipei over the weekend. I like going to Zurich for work because it’s easy to navigate. Singapore too, as the people are friendly and the food is great. I like how warm it is here — it’s pretty chilly in San Francisco.

Q: Where are some of your favourite San Francisco spots?

A: There are the usual touristy places such as Lombard Street and Alcatraz, but what people might be less clued-in about is the Ferry Building. It’s close to the heart of downtown; there’s a great artisanal farmers market there. Foodies go there for Blue Bottle Coffee, which serves fantastic coffee, and Mariposa Bakery, which does amazing gluten-free breads. Going for a walk in the Golden Gate Park is great and you should visit the different museums as well. If you have time, I really recommend Point Reyes National Park — it’s a beautiful place with a lighthouse overlooking the ocean.