Booking Online Or Using A Traveling Agent

Written by Graham McKenzie

Thursday, 27 August 2009 09:22

by GrahamMcKenzie

Which route is the best to go, using a travel agent, or booking online? That?s a good question, and one many people ask. At one time, using a travel agent was the first step in planning a vacation, but nowadays, more people are setting it up themselves, online.

The biggest advantage of booking online is the savings. You certainly save the travel agent?s fee when you do your own bookings. Search engines can be used to find low cost flights, and Internet hotel sites sometimes offer great deals. However, sometimes booking cheap means you get?well?cheap. It is always a good idea to check customer reviews before reserving a room, and double-check the location of your hotel. The same thing applies with flight arrangements. You might pay less, but if you fly into an airport that is nowhere near the city center, you will add both time and expense to your trip.

Customizing your itinerary, rather than taking a package deal through a travel agency, is another advantage of self-booking online. However, travel agents can get anything you can, and they have resources you will never find online. For the most part, agents do not have as much sway with airfares, but they typically have more control with cruises and tours.

If you are booking a simple trip online, it is really quite simple. On the other hand, if you have a complicated itinerary, a travel agent may be your best bet. Usually, the more components added to your travel plans, like hotel, air flights, tour packages, multiple destinations, the more you should consider hiring an agent. Travel agents are experts at booking arrangements, and they can offer first-rate advice. They can also tailor the holiday for you. A good agent knows all the niceties to engineering great deals, too. For example, should you price part of your ticket in a foreign currency? If you book a day earlier, or maybe a week later, could you hit the off-season discount? Maybe changing the itinerary order will net major savings. Also, do not forget all the fine print at those online sites. It is easy to miss. Agents are required to inform you about that.

Travel agents want to stay in business, which means they are willing to do the extras, like double-checking dates, and making sure, you have all the correct documents for traveling. They will also search out the cheapest fares and accommodations, while making sure your comfort expectations are met.

There is no doubt you can go online and do this yourself, but be prepared to investment a lot of time. Also, in the event that something does go amiss with your bookings or accommodation arrangements, having someone in your corner can make a huge difference.

The bottom line, then, comes down to this: evaluate your travel needs, and choose the option that meets those needs. It is really up to you.

About the Author:

Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for the leading UK Flight Comparison & Information website, which offers detailed information on Booking a Flight.

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