Should I use a travel agent?
Nov 10th, 2015, 04:51 PM
#1
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Should I use a travel agent?
I am getting ready to start booking a two (2) week trip to Germany next year. For past trips to Europe, I have worked with a local travel agent to book hotels, transfers, rental cars etc. For this trip I am considering making these bookings myself via the internet. I am looking for tips, or other members feedback/experiences (both good & bad) on making these bookings themselves versus utilizing a travel agent.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Nov 10th, 2015, 05:27 PM
#2
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If you are looking for American style hotels or large, established hotels, a travel agent is fine.
However, you can find some of the smaller, more unique, specifically local hotels, etc. on your own. A lot of places may use an Internet booking agency, but still are not on the radar for travel agents. I have not used a travel agent in years. I have stayed in everything from castle hotels to hotels in walled cities to cave hotels to a little two story house that was a few hundred years old. These were part of the travel experience for me.
Some offered lots of personal service, some guests are kind of on their own.
So, depends on what you want and how much work you will do for yourself. If doing it on your own, decide what kind of experience you want and ask questions.
However, you can find some of the smaller, more unique, specifically local hotels, etc. on your own. A lot of places may use an Internet booking agency, but still are not on the radar for travel agents. I have not used a travel agent in years. I have stayed in everything from castle hotels to hotels in walled cities to cave hotels to a little two story house that was a few hundred years old. These were part of the travel experience for me.
Some offered lots of personal service, some guests are kind of on their own.
So, depends on what you want and how much work you will do for yourself. If doing it on your own, decide what kind of experience you want and ask questions.
Nov 10th, 2015, 06:15 PM
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There are some travel agents out there who can get you some special deals on cruises, etc, and you should use them, but using a travel agent for booking ordinary travel does not make sense to me. This does not apply if you have unlimited money.
It is very easy to book travel over the Internet, and when you do a search you can visually see quite bit of information. But it takes a travel agent quite a bit of time to actually convert that information to words and convey it to you. Why put a very large and super-inefficient piece of gauze between you and the booking process.
If you do use a travel agent, you should decide on exactly what you wish to book, and then see if they can get you any special deal. You should not rely on them to assist you in any way, as you will be disappointed.
It is very easy to book travel over the Internet, and when you do a search you can visually see quite bit of information. But it takes a travel agent quite a bit of time to actually convert that information to words and convey it to you. Why put a very large and super-inefficient piece of gauze between you and the booking process.
If you do use a travel agent, you should decide on exactly what you wish to book, and then see if they can get you any special deal. You should not rely on them to assist you in any way, as you will be disappointed.
Nov 10th, 2015, 07:35 PM
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First, you have to understand that travel agents get revenue from selling products with commissions or charge fees for making bookings on your behalf. There is a built in disincentive to recommend non revenue generating bookings. If your interest are dealing with large business/convention type of hotels, they usually pay commissions, and therefore TA and your interests are congruent.
It comes down to where you want to spend time and what you want to get out of your trip. If you don't care or don't know how to do research before the trip, but ok with whatever TAs have chosen for you, stick with the TA. However, if you want to match the bookings with what you wanted to get out of your trip, doing on your own, by spending time before the trip, would likely to yield better results at probably lower cost.
Doing on your own means you spend time selecting where you want to go and how much time you care to spend time at each destinations. You need to be willing to ask your self many questions such as: Is it better for me to spend more time here instead of there? Are the places indeed open on the day I would be visiting? What are the ways to get there from here? etc. Of course, unless TAs are super thorough, they could also dump you in a place on the day when everything of your interest are closed.
If you had planned the trip yourself, you should be far more familiar with options available at destinations so that if you want to make last minutes changes, too much rain, too tired to climb, etc, you would likely to know more about what you can do instead.
It comes down to where you want to spend time and what you want to get out of your trip. If you don't care or don't know how to do research before the trip, but ok with whatever TAs have chosen for you, stick with the TA. However, if you want to match the bookings with what you wanted to get out of your trip, doing on your own, by spending time before the trip, would likely to yield better results at probably lower cost.
Doing on your own means you spend time selecting where you want to go and how much time you care to spend time at each destinations. You need to be willing to ask your self many questions such as: Is it better for me to spend more time here instead of there? Are the places indeed open on the day I would be visiting? What are the ways to get there from here? etc. Of course, unless TAs are super thorough, they could also dump you in a place on the day when everything of your interest are closed.
If you had planned the trip yourself, you should be far more familiar with options available at destinations so that if you want to make last minutes changes, too much rain, too tired to climb, etc, you would likely to know more about what you can do instead.
Nov 10th, 2015, 08:53 PM
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You've already gotten some great advice, so I have just a few things to add:
Unless you have a particular reason for using a travel agent, there are MANY advantages to planning your trip on your own -- IF you are willing to do the research to support the effort.
Do, by all means, get a good guidebook or two. I strongly recommend the Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, or Michelin Green Guide as your primary resources. I would also recommend that you consult Fodor's and Frommer's to help prioritize, and the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness for inspiration. You can consult those you don't want to purchase at your local library.
You can book accommodations at booking.com, researching your options there or at tripadvisor.com You can check climate / weather information at http://www.wunderground.com You can check sunrise and sunset times at http://www.timeanddate.com Depending on where you decide to go, there may be websites to help you identify transportation options, learn about local norms, etc. -- and those internet resources will be listed in any competent guidebook.
I used a travel agent twice in the pre-internet days, but planned other pre-internet trips and all of my post-internet trips on my own, and I love doing so! Just my preference.
Hope that helps!
Unless you have a particular reason for using a travel agent, there are MANY advantages to planning your trip on your own -- IF you are willing to do the research to support the effort.
Do, by all means, get a good guidebook or two. I strongly recommend the Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, or Michelin Green Guide as your primary resources. I would also recommend that you consult Fodor's and Frommer's to help prioritize, and the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness for inspiration. You can consult those you don't want to purchase at your local library.
You can book accommodations at booking.com, researching your options there or at tripadvisor.com You can check climate / weather information at http://www.wunderground.com You can check sunrise and sunset times at http://www.timeanddate.com Depending on where you decide to go, there may be websites to help you identify transportation options, learn about local norms, etc. -- and those internet resources will be listed in any competent guidebook.
I used a travel agent twice in the pre-internet days, but planned other pre-internet trips and all of my post-internet trips on my own, and I love doing so! Just my preference.
Hope that helps!
Nov 10th, 2015, 08:59 PM
#6
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Be sure you also check your other thread, here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...t-479729-3.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...t-479729-3.cfm
Nov 10th, 2015, 09:17 PM
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Even in areas which were crowded because it was a long weekend or some type of festival was going on, the local tourist office was able to find us a room--and we were looking for lower priced rooms that tend to be sold out.
In large cities (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, etc.) I would book ahead of time because navigating in the cities if driving can be a pain in the neck. Knowing ahead of time where you need to go removes some anxiety in the matter. But in smaller towns, I would simply go to the tourist office and see what it can find for me.
In large cities (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, etc.) I would book ahead of time because navigating in the cities if driving can be a pain in the neck. Knowing ahead of time where you need to go removes some anxiety in the matter. But in smaller towns, I would simply go to the tourist office and see what it can find for me.
Nov 10th, 2015, 09:38 PM
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While you are planning you might try this. Look at EurpoeanDestinations.com. Put in your itineary and see how you like it. You will put in your departure airport, which cities you are going to and how many nights in each city. You can adjust the hotels if you don't like the star level or the location it will offer you others to choose from, you can also adjust your flights, adjusting the prices accordingly. Look closely because I once had a flight they recommended from Munich to Paris with an 11 hour layover in Athens. I have used them on three different trips. You can try all kinds of plans without committing to buy until you are ready. If you buy from them print out all the paperwork and take a copy with you for the hotels. For rent cars I use Gemut.com
Nov 11th, 2015, 02:19 AM
#10
If you are going to use that "good guide book" then be very aware that guide books may cater to particular types or levels of travel. For example, if you are looking for so-called "high end" accommodations then "Lonely Planet" is not the book you want.
I would definitely read accommodation reviews but do so with a very discerning thought process. One example: I read a hotel review once which said "the room was small." Then I looked at the picture of this family of four which was occupying that "small" room: poster family for the morbidly obese, believe me.
I would definitely read accommodation reviews but do so with a very discerning thought process. One example: I read a hotel review once which said "the room was small." Then I looked at the picture of this family of four which was occupying that "small" room: poster family for the morbidly obese, believe me.
Nov 11th, 2015, 02:55 AM
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Unless you have no time to do the planning yourself or you have highly specialized desires that you aren't sure how to accommodate, there's no real compelling reason to use a travel agent.
The previous posters have given some good advice. I book the majority of my lodging via booking.com and they generally do a good job of giving room size.
The previous posters have given some good advice. I book the majority of my lodging via booking.com and they generally do a good job of giving room size.
Nov 11th, 2015, 02:56 AM
#12
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I went to Germany solo last year and booked everything on line w/no problem.
If you are interested in free walking tours, I used this outfit who are knowledgeable. http://www.neweuropetours.eu/
Just tip the guide 5E at the end.
If you are interested in free walking tours, I used this outfit who are knowledgeable. http://www.neweuropetours.eu/
Just tip the guide 5E at the end.
Nov 11th, 2015, 03:24 AM
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It's so much fun to arrange it all yourself. Unless it's a very specialised one, travel agents will go for the larger, middle-of-the-road hotels, which tend to be anonymous and bland. Doing it yourself gives you the opportunity to look for smaller places with more local flavour and a more personal service. Booking.com is indeed a good tool; hotel.info is another one.
If your trip is city-oriented, a car would be a nuisance. Germany has excellent public transport. The trains are frequent, reliable and fast, and economical as well when you do advance bookings (http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml).
If your trip is city-oriented, a car would be a nuisance. Germany has excellent public transport. The trains are frequent, reliable and fast, and economical as well when you do advance bookings (http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml).
Nov 11th, 2015, 03:49 AM
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A few things:
You have to sort of enjoy the DIY aspect of planning. Some people find that to be the worst part of travel, and some love it. Only you can decide where you fit. I, for one, get a kick out of finding interesting, out-of-the-way hotels, restaurants, etc.
Someone mentioned being "discerning" when looking at reviews. I usually use the Olympic scoring method: thrown out the top and bottom reviews and concentrate on the bulk in the middle. Look for mentions of features that are important to you -- location, amenities, room size, and so on.
With even the most careful self-planning, you can get stuck with a dud hotel or some other glitch. It happens, but don't let the prospect paralyze you. Sometimes, the glitches turn out to be interesting. My wife and I still laugh about small hotel in Paris where the power kept going out and the desk clerk often was found sleeping on a couch in the lobby.
One thing you might try is getting a TA's price for your itinerary and comparing it with what you can do on your own. I've done that just as an exercise and usually found I've saved a lot by DIY. Makes me feel better about the trip, too.
You have to sort of enjoy the DIY aspect of planning. Some people find that to be the worst part of travel, and some love it. Only you can decide where you fit. I, for one, get a kick out of finding interesting, out-of-the-way hotels, restaurants, etc.
Someone mentioned being "discerning" when looking at reviews. I usually use the Olympic scoring method: thrown out the top and bottom reviews and concentrate on the bulk in the middle. Look for mentions of features that are important to you -- location, amenities, room size, and so on.
With even the most careful self-planning, you can get stuck with a dud hotel or some other glitch. It happens, but don't let the prospect paralyze you. Sometimes, the glitches turn out to be interesting. My wife and I still laugh about small hotel in Paris where the power kept going out and the desk clerk often was found sleeping on a couch in the lobby.
One thing you might try is getting a TA's price for your itinerary and comparing it with what you can do on your own. I've done that just as an exercise and usually found I've saved a lot by DIY. Makes me feel better about the trip, too.
Nov 11th, 2015, 04:16 AM
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<i>With even the most careful self-planning, you can get stuck with a dud hotel or some other glitch. It happens, but don't let the prospect paralyze you. </i>
It's all part of the experience. It might suck now but it will make a good story later.
It's all part of the experience. It might suck now but it will make a good story later.
Nov 11th, 2015, 04:55 AM
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Some things to keep in mind.
1.) Don't stretch yourself too thin. Don't try to circumnavigate the whole country in 2 weeks; arrange your activities and any outings so that you have 3 nights minimum in each location, if possible.
2.) In any given German city or town there are MANY good lodging options that are NOT listed with booking.com, Airbnb, or any of the other middlemen we are used to dealing with. Check the local town or district tourist information websites for complete listings of apartments, private B&Bs, and winery-inns.
3.) German law is innkeeper-friendly. If you think you might change or cancel, do not book a property before you check the innkeeper's policies carefully. If there is no policy stated, inquire with the innkeeper. In the absence of a specific policy to the contrary, any booking means that YOU must pay in full for the dates you book, whether or not you cancel or show up.
4.) Watch your location carefully. Suburbs are often hyphenated, with the main town first and the suburban location second. But sometimes a suburb is not clearly indicated. If you book in a small Rhine town like Boppard, Germany, for example, using Boppard's website, you might assume you'll be within walking distance of the train station - and you might, but even small Boppard has some tiny suburbs in the hinterlands... you might end up miles and miles away in some microscopic suburb (like Boppard-Weiler) which could make you very taxi-dependent.
1.) Don't stretch yourself too thin. Don't try to circumnavigate the whole country in 2 weeks; arrange your activities and any outings so that you have 3 nights minimum in each location, if possible.
2.) In any given German city or town there are MANY good lodging options that are NOT listed with booking.com, Airbnb, or any of the other middlemen we are used to dealing with. Check the local town or district tourist information websites for complete listings of apartments, private B&Bs, and winery-inns.
3.) German law is innkeeper-friendly. If you think you might change or cancel, do not book a property before you check the innkeeper's policies carefully. If there is no policy stated, inquire with the innkeeper. In the absence of a specific policy to the contrary, any booking means that YOU must pay in full for the dates you book, whether or not you cancel or show up.
4.) Watch your location carefully. Suburbs are often hyphenated, with the main town first and the suburban location second. But sometimes a suburb is not clearly indicated. If you book in a small Rhine town like Boppard, Germany, for example, using Boppard's website, you might assume you'll be within walking distance of the train station - and you might, but even small Boppard has some tiny suburbs in the hinterlands... you might end up miles and miles away in some microscopic suburb (like Boppard-Weiler) which could make you very taxi-dependent.
Nov 11th, 2015, 05:09 AM
#17
best tool I ever found was google maps. Just go to the area you want to stay and enter "hotel" or "B&B" in the search engine and all these red dots light up.
Then click on the ones and discover hidden delights.
Once you roughly know what you like then and only then go to booking.com to see if they are up or tripadvisor to see what they are like.
Often cheaper to buy your rooms via their own website than pay booking to do it for you.
Then click on the ones and discover hidden delights.
Once you roughly know what you like then and only then go to booking.com to see if they are up or tripadvisor to see what they are like.
Often cheaper to buy your rooms via their own website than pay booking to do it for you.
Nov 13th, 2015, 07:01 AM
#18
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WOW....my thanks and gratitude to you all for your replies and amazing booking & travel tips. This is just the sort of information I was looking for. We very much want to stay at the smaller and uniquely German hotels and have no interest in the larger chain hotels. I'm so excited now, I can't wait to start researching and booking. Thank you!
Nov 13th, 2015, 07:52 AM
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I a high end Virtuoso travel agent on our last two trips to France, and even though I know we paid a bit more than if I'd done it myself, it went so smoothly and we absolutely loved the hotels that she put us in. They were not ones I would have selected on my own. For example, in Normandy, had I selected the hotel myself, it would have been one in downtown Bayeux. Instead, she put us in Chateau de Sully 5 miles outside of Bayeux, and we fell in love with the location. It's hard to know what to do, I'm planning a Switzerland/Lake Como trip right now and am trying to decide whether to use her again or do it myself. Good luck
Nov 13th, 2015, 08:50 AM
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"With even the most careful self-planning, you can get stuck with a dud hotel or some other glitch. It happens, but don't let the prospect paralyze you. "
Or you can do like me - you select a hotel and book the wrong one.
Anyway, great info up there. Perso I book more and more via hotels.com because the give you a 10% rebate on the nights you spend. After 10 nights, you get a voucher for the average 10% of your spending. That you can use on a later reservation.
However as stated above, do check the hotels via other sites or read the comments but clearly the note attributed means next to nothing for hotels.com or booking.com : both atrribute a note for the location of the hotel - so if the hotel is well situated, it gets 100% of 5 criteria - thus 1 point. It means that a well located hotel that is just 'average' (50% on all other notes) reaches a note of 3.
I have seen quite a few hotels scoring 3,5 that I consider a dump.
Or you can do like me - you select a hotel and book the wrong one.
Anyway, great info up there. Perso I book more and more via hotels.com because the give you a 10% rebate on the nights you spend. After 10 nights, you get a voucher for the average 10% of your spending. That you can use on a later reservation.
However as stated above, do check the hotels via other sites or read the comments but clearly the note attributed means next to nothing for hotels.com or booking.com : both atrribute a note for the location of the hotel - so if the hotel is well situated, it gets 100% of 5 criteria - thus 1 point. It means that a well located hotel that is just 'average' (50% on all other notes) reaches a note of 3.
I have seen quite a few hotels scoring 3,5 that I consider a dump.
