Miranda

Do you think that by using a large travel agency (i.e., Liberty Travel), I could be guaranteed less vacation mishaps (i.e., avoid hotel bumping, better room location, etc.) We are considering booking Moon Palace next June & a friend "heard" travelers have less aggravation/problems using a large travel agency chain rather than booking their own trip because hotels are afraid to alienate big travel agencies as opposed to lone individuals. It seems she could be right - many people I asked (who were bumped) did in fact book their own trips or used some small no-frills travel agent/agency, although they don't believe this was a factor in why they got bumped. Any idea if there's any truth to this? Thanks!

LIZ

Hi Miranda... <BR> <BR>We've used Liberty Travel for years and have NEVER had a problem with bumping etc.... <BR> <BR>Last year in Jamaica, the couple in front of us and two couples behind us, as we were checking in, got bumped for 2 nights to another hotel...All 3 couples had booked their own trips.... <BR> <BR>I spoke to our agent about this and she basically said what you commented about alienating the big agencies....From our experiences, I really think it true!!!...Why would any hotel, particularly a large chain, want to get on the wrong side of such a travel giant as Liberty or any of the other biggies?... <BR>I know more folks than ever are booking their own trips now that the internet is such a part of every day life...Most people feel they'll get a better deal on their own....Personally, it's not worth it to me....I'd rather sit fac-to-face with someone and have her/him do all the footwork for us and then just get a packet of tickets and vouchers in my hands....IMHO <BR> <BR>LIZ

peg

Bumping does go by seniority!! My personal experience is "as a travel agent" We arrived at our hotel and had been booked along with our friends who I had booked thru Apple Vacations for the exact same vacation, mine was booked at a travel agent discount thru my small agency! They bumped us to a different hotel and told us flat out that our friends would not be bumped because they were booked with Apple and they would bump anyone else first, including travel agents!! We did enjoy a similar property for one night with taxi included, and got a free snorkel trip..always ask for some compensation!!

d motl

We learned long ago to use a travel agency when going anywhere for the first time. If we have an interest in going back we get names, phone #, e-mail addresses etc. to ensure that we can do it on our own if a saving is there. Often it is not.

Miranda

Thanks to all for your responses. I have posted this same exact question on other message boards & the question never got answered - just people telling me I should use a travel agent -- which I always do & have done this time, I am very concerned about the bumping thing whcih is why I posted this question. thanks again!

Antonio Barros

Miranda, <BR> <BR>I am a lawyer for 2 small-sized travel agencies in Rio de Janeiro - BR. Last year both didn't receive an only claim in any way. <BR>I believe that when the owners are in front of the businnes, personally, it's very difficult that a serious trouble may occur ...even because you provide support to them to solve each case before becoming a trouble. <BR> <BR>

What the F

What the heck is Antonio Barros talking about?????