Travel Agent or Internet?
Jan 19th, 2003, 11:54 AM
#1
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Travel Agent or Internet?
In the past, we have done most of our travel arrangements per travel agency or phone calling on our own. We can find our way around the 'net, but otherwise are novices at the computer. What are your opionions, agency versus 'net travel sites?
1. Can you get better prices thru net?
2. What happens if you have to cancel or change dates?
3. What to look out for so you don't get scammed? (How to tell legitimate from scam - hints?)
Any help or sites would be greatly appreciated, as we may consider trying to book an "on-line" vacation.
1. Can you get better prices thru net?
2. What happens if you have to cancel or change dates?
3. What to look out for so you don't get scammed? (How to tell legitimate from scam - hints?)
Any help or sites would be greatly appreciated, as we may consider trying to book an "on-line" vacation.
Jan 19th, 2003, 12:50 PM
#2
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One Answer- TRAVEL AGENT--
Why? they can meet all internet prices and there is a face and place to locate them in time of need!
Would NOT book anything without using my travel agent! ( except for a room on a weekend only 2 hrs away that I know the area like the back of my hand!)
Why? they can meet all internet prices and there is a face and place to locate them in time of need!
Would NOT book anything without using my travel agent! ( except for a room on a weekend only 2 hrs away that I know the area like the back of my hand!)
Jan 19th, 2003, 01:55 PM
#3
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The key word is RESEARCH. Check every available resource. Sometimes you can get better prices thru the net, sometimes not. Look into purchasing trip insurance (for cancellations and date changes-please read the fine print). In a nutshell, research your vacation as though you were purchasing a new car. One other thing, pay with a credit card.
Jan 19th, 2003, 08:56 PM
#5
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I used to use travel agents all the time, but over the past 3 or 4 years I have used the Net exclusively. I was apprehensive the first time, but now I don't think twice about it.
Yes, you can get better prices on the Net, particularly if you are flexible and willing to put off booking your hotel until about two weeks before you leave. There are many booking engines you can use for travel. Here are a few to get you started: For airlines' lowest published airfares, try expedia.com, travelocity.com, orbitz.com, or sidestep.com. To bid for tickets, try priceline.com, hotwire.com, or biddingfortravel.com. Also check with Southwest and Jetblue, because I don't think they show up in the major search engines.
For discounted hotel rates, try the above or hoteldiscount.com or quikbook.com. Larger cities also have city-specific discounters. You can go to Google and simply type the name of your destination, e.g., "Las Vegas hotels" (no quotation marks). All of the hotel booking engines have a section which describes their cancellation policies (sometimes it's listed under "Customer Service"). Steer clear of hotels and bookings which have overly stringent policies such as requiring 10 days notice for cancellation or charging one night's stay for all cancellations.
To obtain driving directions at your destination, try mapquest.com or maps.yahoo.com. For weather forecasts, try weather.com or accuweather.com. For trip insurance, try accessamerica.com or travelguard.com.
If you are looking for an escorted tour, some companies still require you to book through a travel agent. But many don't. Stick to the larger, more well-known companies and ask posters on this forum what their experience is with them. Guidebooks also list the more well-known companies for that destination. Also check Frommers for info at budgettravel.msnbc.com. You can also get some good deals on package vacations through the airlines. Pay with a credit card whenever possible.
I agree that the key to successful do-it-yourself travel is research. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but it can also be a lot of fun. Millions of people successfully book their own travel,and you can too. Good luck!
Yes, you can get better prices on the Net, particularly if you are flexible and willing to put off booking your hotel until about two weeks before you leave. There are many booking engines you can use for travel. Here are a few to get you started: For airlines' lowest published airfares, try expedia.com, travelocity.com, orbitz.com, or sidestep.com. To bid for tickets, try priceline.com, hotwire.com, or biddingfortravel.com. Also check with Southwest and Jetblue, because I don't think they show up in the major search engines.
For discounted hotel rates, try the above or hoteldiscount.com or quikbook.com. Larger cities also have city-specific discounters. You can go to Google and simply type the name of your destination, e.g., "Las Vegas hotels" (no quotation marks). All of the hotel booking engines have a section which describes their cancellation policies (sometimes it's listed under "Customer Service"). Steer clear of hotels and bookings which have overly stringent policies such as requiring 10 days notice for cancellation or charging one night's stay for all cancellations.
To obtain driving directions at your destination, try mapquest.com or maps.yahoo.com. For weather forecasts, try weather.com or accuweather.com. For trip insurance, try accessamerica.com or travelguard.com.
If you are looking for an escorted tour, some companies still require you to book through a travel agent. But many don't. Stick to the larger, more well-known companies and ask posters on this forum what their experience is with them. Guidebooks also list the more well-known companies for that destination. Also check Frommers for info at budgettravel.msnbc.com. You can also get some good deals on package vacations through the airlines. Pay with a credit card whenever possible.
I agree that the key to successful do-it-yourself travel is research. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but it can also be a lot of fun. Millions of people successfully book their own travel,and you can too. Good luck!
Jan 26th, 2003, 10:14 AM
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kimskruises.com or other internet travel agents are the best way to go for cruises.
Kim has good prices and is very helpful.
Go to www.cruisecritic.com and look on the boards for money saving tips. There is lots of good advice on online travel agents for cruises.
Kims is www.kimskruises.com. Have used her several times and NEVER had a problem.
Kim has good prices and is very helpful.
Go to www.cruisecritic.com and look on the boards for money saving tips. There is lots of good advice on online travel agents for cruises.
Kims is www.kimskruises.com. Have used her several times and NEVER had a problem.
Jan 26th, 2003, 12:34 PM
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Book yourself. Here's why: When a travel agent books a package, cruise or whatever; they do not offer you the lowest price because that means they get a lower commission. Travel agents will steer you to their preferred suppliers where they earn extra commission and their price is often higher. These preferred suppliers are set up to pop up first on their reservation systems. And just because a travel agent says they are a cruise specialist etc. means they took the test for that certain designation and passed. Doesn't mean they go on cruises frequently to check out ships etc.
Jan 26th, 2003, 05:47 PM
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Just read you question. When you book your flight through the internet. Be aware that most airlines will not touch a priceline ticket for any changes. You have to go back through priceline in order for that to be accomplished. Make sure you are aware of the rules of the fare. If you book an airline ticket direct, and need to change dates, destination you could suffer the penalties especially with anytime of fare under a Y fare. You will be charged $100 change fee. If you change your routing in anyway, it will be like paying for that ticket over again. So be carefule. Also, for hotels try hotwire. They give a great discount on car hire and hotels. Good luck!
Feb 5th, 2003, 11:02 PM
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Travel agent: Has access to the Global Distribution System (GDS). This includes reservation programs such as Apollo, Galleleo, Sabre, Worldspan, etc. This benefits you because this is where the "branded" companies place their best foot forward to reach a major part of their market. And, that information is literally at the fingertips of the travel agent.
A standard travel agent commission is 10% of the booking rate. But, to the vendor, the cost of getting that info to the agent can be prohibitive. There is also a fee assessed by the company presenting you to the GDS (providing technology), and, there is an actual GDS fee per reservation. For smaller companies, these charges are often seen as too excessive, and they avoid the whole of the GDS. And, as a consequence, the travel agent.
The internet: The net evens the playing field between the major "branded" companies, and the local mom and pop. Now anyone with a $15.00 domain name and a bit of web savvy can present their company to you right next to the big boys.
As an example, your travel agent might be able to tell you that it is $400.00 per week for a rental car with Avis in Anchorage during the summer. But, they may not know about "Big Bob's New Car Rental" that charges $280.00 per week comparing apples to apples. That is the value of the net. "Bob" can have the same presence as Avis without it putting him in a cash crunch.
Both the net and your travel agent are exceptional resources when used properly either can save you money.
Rhonda hit the nail on the head with "RESEARCH."
And, don't forget, there is a group of folks out there known as wholesalers, tour operators, booking agents, or whatever you'd like to call them that also can prove very effective in making your dream vacation surpass your imagination.
20 years of working in the travel industry marketing to people like you, the potential visitor, means I've spent some time in and around the GDS and the net...... and, as a fellow traveler, I still use both.
Have fun in Alaska, and try to use "locally owned and operated."
A standard travel agent commission is 10% of the booking rate. But, to the vendor, the cost of getting that info to the agent can be prohibitive. There is also a fee assessed by the company presenting you to the GDS (providing technology), and, there is an actual GDS fee per reservation. For smaller companies, these charges are often seen as too excessive, and they avoid the whole of the GDS. And, as a consequence, the travel agent.
The internet: The net evens the playing field between the major "branded" companies, and the local mom and pop. Now anyone with a $15.00 domain name and a bit of web savvy can present their company to you right next to the big boys.
As an example, your travel agent might be able to tell you that it is $400.00 per week for a rental car with Avis in Anchorage during the summer. But, they may not know about "Big Bob's New Car Rental" that charges $280.00 per week comparing apples to apples. That is the value of the net. "Bob" can have the same presence as Avis without it putting him in a cash crunch.
Both the net and your travel agent are exceptional resources when used properly either can save you money.
Rhonda hit the nail on the head with "RESEARCH."
And, don't forget, there is a group of folks out there known as wholesalers, tour operators, booking agents, or whatever you'd like to call them that also can prove very effective in making your dream vacation surpass your imagination.
20 years of working in the travel industry marketing to people like you, the potential visitor, means I've spent some time in and around the GDS and the net...... and, as a fellow traveler, I still use both.
Have fun in Alaska, and try to use "locally owned and operated."
Feb 6th, 2003, 05:43 AM
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Book yourself: You have no experience on the subject of Travel Agents and here's why.
"When a travel agent books a package, cruise or whatever; they do not offer you the lowest price because that means they get a lower commission."
Absolutely not true. You think I would have a repeat clientele if my only concern was how much commission I could get? When I compare package prices, the last thing I do is look at how much commission. My time is filled by comparing components of the package and that can take a lot of time. I'm not going to make it longer by asking every res. agent how much money I'm going to make and in especially in front of the client.
"Travel agents will steer you to their preferred suppliers where they earn extra commission and their price is often higher. These preferred suppliers are set up to pop up first on their reservation systems."
We "steer" our clients toward the preferred suppliers because they are more nationally known and have a better reputation than your mom and pop tour operator that may go out of business. Do you want quality for you money and a brand you can trust? If you don't, plunk down your money on just anybody and see what happens when something goes wrong. When you go shopping for a computer, do you pick out the cheapest there or do you look for a brand that has a good reputation for customer service and a return policy? Why do people come to a Travel Agent anyway when they could just book it themselves? Answer: They want a professional taking care of it. Period. Same reason I go to H&R Block instead of doing it myself.
"And just because a travel agent says they are a cruise specialist etc. means they took the test for that certain designation and passed. Doesn't mean they go on cruises frequently to check out ships etc."
Again, you're giving out incorrect information. When a Travel Agent has a cruise specialist designation, that means, yes they had to take a test to get that title but with that also requires that you must inspect and cruise on a certain amount of ships per year. Folks, when you go to a Travel Agent, you'll probably be charged a booking fee but wouldn't you expect that when you're approaching them for their professional opinion? You're also paying them to keep track of all your paperwork. You're also paying for the mistakes from tour/crusie operators I see from inexperinced res. agents; and it's up to me to correct it so you don't have to find out and worry about it. You just pick up your documents and think everything has gone smoothly. If you don't think that's worth an extra $25-50, then please be my guest and book it yourself.
"When a travel agent books a package, cruise or whatever; they do not offer you the lowest price because that means they get a lower commission."
Absolutely not true. You think I would have a repeat clientele if my only concern was how much commission I could get? When I compare package prices, the last thing I do is look at how much commission. My time is filled by comparing components of the package and that can take a lot of time. I'm not going to make it longer by asking every res. agent how much money I'm going to make and in especially in front of the client.
"Travel agents will steer you to their preferred suppliers where they earn extra commission and their price is often higher. These preferred suppliers are set up to pop up first on their reservation systems."
We "steer" our clients toward the preferred suppliers because they are more nationally known and have a better reputation than your mom and pop tour operator that may go out of business. Do you want quality for you money and a brand you can trust? If you don't, plunk down your money on just anybody and see what happens when something goes wrong. When you go shopping for a computer, do you pick out the cheapest there or do you look for a brand that has a good reputation for customer service and a return policy? Why do people come to a Travel Agent anyway when they could just book it themselves? Answer: They want a professional taking care of it. Period. Same reason I go to H&R Block instead of doing it myself.
"And just because a travel agent says they are a cruise specialist etc. means they took the test for that certain designation and passed. Doesn't mean they go on cruises frequently to check out ships etc."
Again, you're giving out incorrect information. When a Travel Agent has a cruise specialist designation, that means, yes they had to take a test to get that title but with that also requires that you must inspect and cruise on a certain amount of ships per year. Folks, when you go to a Travel Agent, you'll probably be charged a booking fee but wouldn't you expect that when you're approaching them for their professional opinion? You're also paying them to keep track of all your paperwork. You're also paying for the mistakes from tour/crusie operators I see from inexperinced res. agents; and it's up to me to correct it so you don't have to find out and worry about it. You just pick up your documents and think everything has gone smoothly. If you don't think that's worth an extra $25-50, then please be my guest and book it yourself.
Feb 6th, 2003, 06:00 AM
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Just for the record, I booked myself a trip to Bermuda on the internet at a price that could NOT be met by my travel agent, so that shoots that theory, doesn't it?
Why not do both? Check the web -- often. Some of the airline sites (aavacations.com, usairwaysvacations.com) can be very competitive. Get your best price from the web, write the number on a piece of paper and go see your travel agent. Ask them for THEIR price before whipping out the piece of paper.
The truth is: sometimes they'll beat it, sometimes they can't.
Why not do both? Check the web -- often. Some of the airline sites (aavacations.com, usairwaysvacations.com) can be very competitive. Get your best price from the web, write the number on a piece of paper and go see your travel agent. Ask them for THEIR price before whipping out the piece of paper.
The truth is: sometimes they'll beat it, sometimes they can't.
Feb 6th, 2003, 06:06 AM
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I guess it is more about time & convenience than anything else. I have the time & enjoy the planning part of any trip. In addition, the travel agent has to get paid by someone so I'm not sure they always have your best interest in mind. Based on my experiences, a travel agent has never been able to do anything for me that I haven't been able to achieve myself. The exception may be AAA or someone like that but all they know about are cruises & packages. They are not well suited to the individual traveler. So, do you have the time ?
Feb 6th, 2003, 07:05 AM
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Travel Agents satsify a market segment. That is a good thing. In the old days, they were the only place where comparison shopping was possible, as they had the only access to reservations systems. Gradual changes and deregulation gave greater options to individual travel planning (prior to airline deregulation, fares were fixed no matter who booked, so why not use a travel agent).
Airlines and other organizations have significant financial pressure. They have cut commissions to travel agents. Specialization has increased in the travel agent market.
In my opinion, using a travel agent is negative; a sign of weakness; lack of imagination; unable to navigate the web; unaware of methods to do it yourself; and suspect to the real 'perception' that you pay more because of the commission structure (even if false). I don't touch the National Enquirer at the check out, and I won't use a travel agent either. Both have their place in our economy, I choose not to use a travel agent nor read (or be seen with) a National Enquirer.
Airlines and other organizations have significant financial pressure. They have cut commissions to travel agents. Specialization has increased in the travel agent market.
In my opinion, using a travel agent is negative; a sign of weakness; lack of imagination; unable to navigate the web; unaware of methods to do it yourself; and suspect to the real 'perception' that you pay more because of the commission structure (even if false). I don't touch the National Enquirer at the check out, and I won't use a travel agent either. Both have their place in our economy, I choose not to use a travel agent nor read (or be seen with) a National Enquirer.
Feb 6th, 2003, 07:06 AM
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I don't insist that everyone should book their travel the same way that I do, but I do believe that a knowledgeable consumer can get as good or better terms than a travel agent can get.
There isn't enough profit for the agent to take the same amount of time researching the best deal that I will do.
Keith
There isn't enough profit for the agent to take the same amount of time researching the best deal that I will do.
Keith
Feb 6th, 2003, 07:27 AM
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We've used both. We have booked hotels in Italy via the net however when it came to making train reservations and renting cars we used a travel agent for the same trip. We booked our airline tix on the web however ended up having to go to the airport to deal with changes in our ticketing as the website did not process our request and we never could get through by phone (British Air). We had no problems with our booking of hotels on the net.
Feb 6th, 2003, 08:30 AM
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Internet, Internet, Internet.
Before we booked our upcoming trip to Miami and St. Bart's, I did some Internet research on where we wanted to stay, flights, cars, etc. before approaching the travel agent. Well, that was about 5 weeks ago. Guess what? I haven't heard from the travel agent or anyone in her office since our initial contact. This is a major chain, too. Plenty of people in the office. I also took the time to drive out there and meet face to face, not just a phone call. So, it is the Internet for me. The moment I see a bargain that meets our needs, I will grab it. No more waiting by the phone for me.
Before we booked our upcoming trip to Miami and St. Bart's, I did some Internet research on where we wanted to stay, flights, cars, etc. before approaching the travel agent. Well, that was about 5 weeks ago. Guess what? I haven't heard from the travel agent or anyone in her office since our initial contact. This is a major chain, too. Plenty of people in the office. I also took the time to drive out there and meet face to face, not just a phone call. So, it is the Internet for me. The moment I see a bargain that meets our needs, I will grab it. No more waiting by the phone for me.
Feb 6th, 2003, 08:43 AM
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On three occasions, I have done my own research, then given my findings (and total trip price) to a travel agent to see if he/she could match my price or do better.
In all three cases, the travel agent could not find an equal package at a lower price, and could not even find it at the SAME price.
Travel agents still have their place -- for people who have no idea how to use a phone or surf the web. Or perhaps those with money to burn, but no time. I hope most travel agents have wised up and started looking for a new job -- 90% of them will be obsolete in another few years.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that's the reality.
In all three cases, the travel agent could not find an equal package at a lower price, and could not even find it at the SAME price.
Travel agents still have their place -- for people who have no idea how to use a phone or surf the web. Or perhaps those with money to burn, but no time. I hope most travel agents have wised up and started looking for a new job -- 90% of them will be obsolete in another few years.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that's the reality.
Feb 6th, 2003, 08:36 PM
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BjorkChop: When I managed a hotel in Salt Lake City, I always offered travel agents 15% comm if they would book direct on my 800# as opposed to using the GDS. And that cut my cost over paying them 10% plus paying the GDS fee and another 7% to the reservation service.
And, in the end, the customer would save even as the travel agent got more. Because some of us know where the true costs are.
That is, I did not add to the cost of my room sales to cover commissions as they are truly a marketing expenditure.
In the end, we know that I have to earn $27.00 per night per room in order for the property to self support. That does not mean that I can offer rooms for $27.00 per night... unless someone is going to guarantee 100% occupancy 365 days per year.
Now then, once we hit that magic mark, $2,700.00 per day, I could do anything I wanted with the rates locally. I could see what demand was, and bump them up or down.... but, the travel agent had a constant, and would not be cut off......because they were principally responsible for creating my higher ADR, and it is a courtesy to them to hold their rate, even as I'm raising the price to the last minute shopper unaware he is showing up at the height of a giant convention.
Conversely, I would also play games with my web presence..... such as offering people 50% off if they sang Gilligans Island, or I'm A Little Tea Pot. It just depended on the market at that time as to what I'd do with my rates.
So, for those that believe honestly that they ALWAYS beat the travel agent, they are wrong. I've rented rooms to you. I've rented cars to you. When you're playing the "best price" game, sometimes you win and sometimes you'll find yourself paying twice what you would have had you reserved in advance through your travel agent. Let's also not forget that the best price is not always the best value.
And, while talking about the price..... how long does it take the average net surfer to create a package for themself? Is their time not worth anything? I know a few employers that would love them!
I do see the face of change upon the travel industry, but, it won't mean the extinction of the travel agent. And, that's because there are always people like me that will pay them for every customer they generate and cost it back to marketing along with my web site, and print, and discounts.
Finally, to end a lengthy letter, who can tell me who Cendant is? (This is a test).
And, in the end, the customer would save even as the travel agent got more. Because some of us know where the true costs are.
That is, I did not add to the cost of my room sales to cover commissions as they are truly a marketing expenditure.
In the end, we know that I have to earn $27.00 per night per room in order for the property to self support. That does not mean that I can offer rooms for $27.00 per night... unless someone is going to guarantee 100% occupancy 365 days per year.
Now then, once we hit that magic mark, $2,700.00 per day, I could do anything I wanted with the rates locally. I could see what demand was, and bump them up or down.... but, the travel agent had a constant, and would not be cut off......because they were principally responsible for creating my higher ADR, and it is a courtesy to them to hold their rate, even as I'm raising the price to the last minute shopper unaware he is showing up at the height of a giant convention.
Conversely, I would also play games with my web presence..... such as offering people 50% off if they sang Gilligans Island, or I'm A Little Tea Pot. It just depended on the market at that time as to what I'd do with my rates.
So, for those that believe honestly that they ALWAYS beat the travel agent, they are wrong. I've rented rooms to you. I've rented cars to you. When you're playing the "best price" game, sometimes you win and sometimes you'll find yourself paying twice what you would have had you reserved in advance through your travel agent. Let's also not forget that the best price is not always the best value.
And, while talking about the price..... how long does it take the average net surfer to create a package for themself? Is their time not worth anything? I know a few employers that would love them!
I do see the face of change upon the travel industry, but, it won't mean the extinction of the travel agent. And, that's because there are always people like me that will pay them for every customer they generate and cost it back to marketing along with my web site, and print, and discounts.
Finally, to end a lengthy letter, who can tell me who Cendant is? (This is a test).
Feb 7th, 2003, 04:29 AM
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"And, while talking about the price..... how long does it take the average net surfer to create a package for themself? Is their time not worth anything? I know a few employers that would love them! "
For many of us, creating the package is entertainment and education.
Keith
For many of us, creating the package is entertainment and education.
Keith
