Would you trust a Travel Agent or...
 

the website TravelSelect.com? <BR> <BR>I found an open jaw flight Atlanta to Amsterdam / Paris to Atlanta leaving May 23 returning June 13 for $550 (taxes & all). My travel agent says the best he can do is $880.00 "and I think you should jump on it". <BR> <BR>Has anyone used the website TravelSelect? Would you trust a travel agent over a website?

I trust *my* travel agent, but I also give him a heads up - if I've found a flight that's cheap, I give him the details. He'll tell me whether it's a good deal, if he can do the ticket at the same price, or if there's something screwy about the routing (like a 1/2 hour between flights, which is NOT good). He's always been able to give me the same price, or very close to it, or even cheaper. <BR>It's possible TravelSelect.com is using consolidator tickets; most travel agents can also get them, but you have to tell them you want a ticket through a consolidator (these usually don't give you frequent flier miles). <BR>

Thanks elvira. I'll email him & let him have a 2nd chance. If he can't meet/beat the price (or come remotely close) would you stick with the website? I have never used a website for travel.

I've never bought an airline ticket through the web, except for Southwest Airline from their website (many travel agents don't have access to those tickets, and my agent says to just book it through their site). Just make sure the flights look doable - like enough time between connecting flights.

I've used a web site for airline tickets, but a wellknown one that had been in bus a long time and everyone one (eg, Travelocity). That web site looks okay as they are members of ASTA which ought to mean something, but are you sure that fare was in US dollars? That's a British company and isn't in the US and it defaults to pounds in their fare quotes. I might be more leary of a nonUS firm, although I think TISS is based in Germany and many use them. If that's in US dollars, I'd probably take it, but I just put in your itinerary and dates and they quoted about US$738 but only 500 British pounds. Those fares on such sites change dramatically real quickly too. I don't trust travel agents much at all, unless they are writing you the ticket on the spot and the web site is not, and they are close to the fare.

Christina you scared me to death but thanks for helping to keep me straight!! <BR> <BR>I did the search & made sure that US Dollar was showing (I thought I had it right before) & I get $539.00 now. This fare is on United Airlines. <BR> <BR>I am going to see the TA tomorrow & hopefully we will get this settled.

Move fast Nancy - I've had fares vanish overnight! (have we got you really paranoid yet?)

Nancy -- I would jump on that low fare if I were you. I've had fares vanish overnight too. You'll be kicking yourself if it's gone tomorrow.