When's the last time you used a travel agent?
Jun 30th, 2006, 12:27 PM
#41
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I've used a local travel agent a couple of times this past year to take short weekend package trips to nearby attractions, such as the King Tut touring exhibit in Ft. Lauderdale and the Christmas Lights at Callaway Gardens in Georgia. The local agent knows they can't compete with the internet, so they are branching out into doing all-inclusive package trips to Southeastern destinations, and it seems to be working quite well for them.
Jun 30th, 2006, 01:03 PM
#42
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“some agents have access to negotiated rates at some properties that individual travellers cannot access themselves.”
“Every site would come up with "not available" for the dates I wanted.”
These two are related! Online travel agencies will only sell hotels that give them a big enough discount so that they can mark it up and still offer you a cheaper rate than you can find elsewhere. But many of these agencies post hotels with which they <i>don't</i> have a rate agreement. They won't actually sell those hotels to you, no matter what dates you put in the system. They'll just always come back as "sold out"! A few of those sites will at least tell you they won't have instant availability information but they'll contact you later to let you know, and then they contact the hotel directly themselves. But again, since they don't get a discount, they charge you a higher rate and pocket the difference. Some also tack on a non-refundable booking fee.
So if every date you put in is coming back as being "sold out", be sure to check with a hotel's own website to see if it's true. You might find that rooms really are available, and they may even be cheaper then the online agency said!
“Most of the hotels and car rental companies pay little to no commission to the travel agent. I know of few industries where you represent someone's product without being paid.”
Do you know of any industry that pays you for representing them when they never hired you to do so? Heck, most <i>charge</i> people to represent them (the myriad t-shirts, hats, mugs, etc with brand names that we all buy and use).
“Every site would come up with "not available" for the dates I wanted.”
These two are related! Online travel agencies will only sell hotels that give them a big enough discount so that they can mark it up and still offer you a cheaper rate than you can find elsewhere. But many of these agencies post hotels with which they <i>don't</i> have a rate agreement. They won't actually sell those hotels to you, no matter what dates you put in the system. They'll just always come back as "sold out"! A few of those sites will at least tell you they won't have instant availability information but they'll contact you later to let you know, and then they contact the hotel directly themselves. But again, since they don't get a discount, they charge you a higher rate and pocket the difference. Some also tack on a non-refundable booking fee.
So if every date you put in is coming back as being "sold out", be sure to check with a hotel's own website to see if it's true. You might find that rooms really are available, and they may even be cheaper then the online agency said!
“Most of the hotels and car rental companies pay little to no commission to the travel agent. I know of few industries where you represent someone's product without being paid.”
Do you know of any industry that pays you for representing them when they never hired you to do so? Heck, most <i>charge</i> people to represent them (the myriad t-shirts, hats, mugs, etc with brand names that we all buy and use).
Jun 30th, 2006, 02:27 PM
#43
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"We" don't <i>all</i> buy and use them.
I don't own a single article of logo merchandise that I paid anything for. If you want me to wear your billboard, the space is for rent. Car dealers get very exercised when I show them the schedule of rates that apply if they want to stick their advertising on my car.
I don't own a single article of logo merchandise that I paid anything for. If you want me to wear your billboard, the space is for rent. Car dealers get very exercised when I show them the schedule of rates that apply if they want to stick their advertising on my car.
Jun 30th, 2006, 03:05 PM
#44
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Robes - LOL and nodding my head - I did the same thing. When I test drove the vehicle there was no dealer name on it (they don't put it on until sold in case they want to transfer to another dealer) and I made it a point to tell them not to put one on during the make ready. Well, they did so anyway. I gave them options - remove and repair the cosmetic damage to original state or knock a sizeable amount off the price. Guess which they chose?
Jun 30th, 2006, 06:37 PM
#46
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1982. I had a cousin that became a travel agent at about 60 years of age. She had traveled extensively for most of her life and decided that she needed somthing to occupy her time in between trips. The kids were grown and money was never an issue - a very very bright lady.
When I planned my first European trip, 6 weeks with my daughter, I did all of the research, mainly from Frommer's and newspaper articles - airfares, small hotels etc... We stayed in some of Frommer's 'splurges', including Pensione Monna Lisa (correct spelling) in Firenze, $48 double including breakfast!
I think the Hotel St. Louis in Paris was about the same price sans breakfast.
The agency that she worked for mainly handled affluent travelers and since I was more budget conscious than her normal clients and our trip was longer, she was not familiar with most of my hotel choices.
I telephoned Firenze and Paris myself and sent them my deposits, but for most of the others, she handled everything. I'm sure that if her office received any commissions, other than from United, they were minimal.
Because of the commission, I got all of the info on the United reservations and she did the actual booking. It was funny because I was quoted a better airare than she was - she was able to negotiate the same fare with them ($904).
When I returned, I gave her a detailed typed trip report and she was able to share our finds with other clients over the years, which pleased her very much. Occasionally, with my permission, she would have some of her younger clients call me for personal recommendations.
She was 30 years older than me, but we became fast friends because of that trip.
She never could master her computer (a gift from her son), but I know that she would have loved to participate on this Board and would have had so much to offer.
She's gone now - oh how I miss her.
Nina
When I planned my first European trip, 6 weeks with my daughter, I did all of the research, mainly from Frommer's and newspaper articles - airfares, small hotels etc... We stayed in some of Frommer's 'splurges', including Pensione Monna Lisa (correct spelling) in Firenze, $48 double including breakfast!
I think the Hotel St. Louis in Paris was about the same price sans breakfast.
The agency that she worked for mainly handled affluent travelers and since I was more budget conscious than her normal clients and our trip was longer, she was not familiar with most of my hotel choices.
I telephoned Firenze and Paris myself and sent them my deposits, but for most of the others, she handled everything. I'm sure that if her office received any commissions, other than from United, they were minimal.
Because of the commission, I got all of the info on the United reservations and she did the actual booking. It was funny because I was quoted a better airare than she was - she was able to negotiate the same fare with them ($904).
When I returned, I gave her a detailed typed trip report and she was able to share our finds with other clients over the years, which pleased her very much. Occasionally, with my permission, she would have some of her younger clients call me for personal recommendations.
She was 30 years older than me, but we became fast friends because of that trip.
She never could master her computer (a gift from her son), but I know that she would have loved to participate on this Board and would have had so much to offer.
She's gone now - oh how I miss her.
Nina
Jun 30th, 2006, 06:51 PM
#47
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I neglected to mention the most important aspect of planning for this trip -her expertise. She had spent time in each of my destinations and gave me invalueable tips, hints, personal observations etc..
She and her husband had been to Israel many many times and they had a lot of friends and relative there.
When her husband grew tired of retirement, he _informed_ her that a friend was selling his jewelry store and that he was thinking about buying it. He asked her opinion.
Her reply, "OK, and I promise I'll come and visit you."
End of discussion.
Nina
She and her husband had been to Israel many many times and they had a lot of friends and relative there.
When her husband grew tired of retirement, he _informed_ her that a friend was selling his jewelry store and that he was thinking about buying it. He asked her opinion.
Her reply, "OK, and I promise I'll come and visit you."
End of discussion.
Nina
Jun 30th, 2006, 06:56 PM
#48
Used a travel agent for my honeymoon 18 years ago. That was the last time for personal travel.
Pre internet, I called airlines and hotels directly. I read enough books about where I was going that I didn't need the agent. I still read books, but I also frequent fodors and trip advisor for advice now. I have found the fodor's visitors some of the best at recommending different restaurants, hotels and activities.
Business trips are all planned by the company's travel agent.
Pre internet, I called airlines and hotels directly. I read enough books about where I was going that I didn't need the agent. I still read books, but I also frequent fodors and trip advisor for advice now. I have found the fodor's visitors some of the best at recommending different restaurants, hotels and activities.
Business trips are all planned by the company's travel agent.
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