WOW!!! this is fun....<BR><BR>Scigirl....where are you when we need you!! hee hee....<BR><BR>Kathy.....&quot;a&quot; has the right idea...how do you know a good deal unless you are informed. Do your homework. The more info you can give the TA the more they can get you what you want....(personally I do both, use TA's and do my own..depending on which is the better deal)<BR><BR>Good Hunting

You can spend the time and effort and book yourself. Of course, you really will have no way of knowing that you are getting a good deal. But, if you are happy with it then that's all that counts. I work for a tour operator and can't tell you the number of people who think they are getting a deal by booking direct, but they aren't. Just make sure that if you do book direct that you go the extra mile, because a tour operator doesn't have time to hold your hand. I could tell you horror stories about people wo thought they knew what they were doing, but didn't.<BR><BR>Any travel agent worth their salt can get you a great deal on a honeymoon.

<BR>The Travel Agents here need to cut down on their smugness just a little bit.<BR><BR>Here's why.<BR><BR>Conde Nast Traveler did a fun little test about 3 years ago wherein they had a very experienced travel agent compete against a &quot;regular joe&quot; who happened to be comfortable with internet usage.<BR>The magazine gave them specific trips to plan and asked them to come up with the best deals possible.<BR>Who do you think won?<BR><BR>Neither. <BR>They tied.<BR>The non-agent was able to outdo the agent just as often as the agent outdid him.<BR><BR>And you cannot show me an agent who has special angles on ALL destinations. Agents develop familiarity and get perks in certain areas, but they can't become gurus in alll areas of the world.<BR>That's why average joes familiar with internet travel planning can outdo agents in some areas.<BR><BR>

This TA vs booking yourself online thing is getting old. Either use a TA or don't use one, but this endless &quot;debate&quot; is ridiculous.

This forum is a favorite haunt for travel agents. They surf these posts at work when they have down time.<BR><BR>You can easily make all your plans without them by using searches with key words. I planned two great vacations in Europe and one in Alaska using the internet.<BR><BR>take it easy, travel agents. Don't jump all over me.

If you have the time, do some research on your own &amp; then get in touch with a knowledgible TA - someone who specializes in Hawaii because they may be more familiar with some of the properties. I've been to Hawaii (all islands) more than 10 times, and I still find fun in the planning. I've sometimes done it all on my own &amp; sometimes used a TA. Aloha!

Some people like the sound of telling people they used &quot;my travel agent&quot;. If you have any computer savy at all, you can book your trip on your own. Now, if you don't want to, knock yourself out. You can probably get better rates for group packages, but I don't think a TA can do a better job on an individual trip. Planning the trip is part of the total experience.

How about asking yourself whose interests are served by booking with an agent -- theirs or yours? Independent travelers who have nothing to gain here are urging you to do it yourself and save, while agents and travel industry promoters are predicting doom and gloom for you if you do. So who has the vested (and financial) interest in booking your trip -- fellow travelers or travel industry hacks? Which do you think will give you non-biased advice? Again, it ain't rocket science.

I don't get it! I do all my research then I call my travel agent he gets me a better deal. Why? Let's say my trip to Hawaii after I've selected the hotel of my choice and the flights I want is $4,000. My agent tries to find the same flights at a bulk rate and looks for any specials on the hotel I might have missed. Whoever he books with, he gets a commission based whatever special he finds. If he finds the package for $3800. He gets paid by whoever he books my vacation with. Let's say it's 10%- $380.00. I saved $200.00 he made $380.00. He will also make sure he beats anybody else's deal by giving up some of his commission if he wants to keep me as a client. Even if he can't find me a better deal, I still use him, it cost me nothing. The same $4000. But, my trip is already paid for when I get on the plane. There's no credit card bill for hotels,car rental or airfare. I've already paid for everything with him. So I'm free to shop till I drop. To each his own but I still don't get it.<BR>What are you losing?

This question was written by a travel agent without a doubt. Are you that desperate to save your has been job? Quit answering your own question. Too much time on your hands because of no customers? ttt again.

Hopefully we'll be losing your not so subtle ADVERTISING PITCH, &quot;lovetotravel&quot;.<BR><BR>You are obviously an AGENT.<BR><BR>Take your advertising and propaganda elsewhere.

I'd definitely recommend trying a couple agents, esp. hawaiian specialists. <BR><BR>For example, last summer we booked a trip to Hawaii. I had vouchers, and had to use them, but my airfare was over $2400 (interisland, from LAX) for three of us. The agent was able to do the same package for $2000 with two 3-day car rentals on Kauai and Maui. I'd say about a $650+ savings. Plus I would've flown American, instead of cramped United...ugh!!!<BR><BR>Also, I've used a travel agent/consolidator to go to Europe the past two summers. In each case, he's saved at least $500 (wife, child myself) for me.<BR><BR>One caveat: I do prefer to book my own hotels. Never gotten a good reco out of an agent.<BR><BR>Aloha.<BR><BR>Coachboy

Nah! Just love to travel. Isn't that why most of us are here? Least we forget!

<BR>Sure.<BR>Right.<BR>And the execs at Enron just cheated a little.