Online vs. Travel Agent?

[Blissful_in_TX]

DH and I are planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, and after a lot of research I found exactly what we want (flights, hotel, room, etc.) So far the best deal I’ve found is on expedia.com. I figured I would see if a travel agent could do any better and I thought it might be more reliable going through them anyway. Well one agent who we are familiar with isn’t getting back with me, another place is recently closed down, and all that’s left in town is one other agency and a couple independent agents. Now I’m thinking, gosh should I just book it on-line? Or is there an advantage going through an agent?

[Laura B]

I always use expedia. I have never had a problem, and they have helpful people you can call and speak with. You can even do your booking on the phone if you prefer.

[wallycat]

I've never used a travel agent in my life....even before Internet speed/access.

Just booked a room via internet deals 30% off weekend rate for October without an agent. :)

[oceanjasper]

The advantage of using a travel agent is accessing their experience and knowledge, perhaps things that you may have not considered or discovered in your research. Sometimes, they also have blocked space on certain vacations that might not be available to the general public. Nowadays, the commission levels have dropped so much that the face-to-face travel agencies can't always compete with high-volume virtual agencies. Puerto Vallarta is a pretty straight forward trip, so you could always find the best possible price for exactly what you want online and then ask a travel agency if they are willing to match the price. If not, I would just book online. There are lots of reputable online agencies. I have booked my last three trips online and haven't had any problems at all.

[Canice]

The advantage of using a travel agent is accessing their experience and knowledge, perhaps things that you may have not considered or discovered in your research.

Heck, that's what the BB is for! :D
Seriously, back in the pre-Web days I always heard that most travel agents didn't in fact (here come the tomatoes) have a ton of personal experience with the places they booked and were more schooled in processes and paperwork. I only used them for buying airline tickets, though.
Now I either book directly with the airline or use Orbitz. Never had a problem.

[oceanjasper]

Heck, that's what the BB is for! :D


So true! :)

[Krystal]

Another reason that a travel agent is good is for special needs. I book a lot of tickets for work and a travel agent can help if a person has special requests or needs. A travel agent has special contracts also. When I buy a coach tickets from LAX to Europe at a coach rate with Lufthansa, my agent can automatically get me into business because they have a contract with that airline.


Krystal