Booking Online Versus Using a Travel Agent

So why use an agent when booking online is cheaper? Despite this common conception booking online isn’t always cheaper and a good agent can give you great advice and backup with your tickets if something goes wrong.

In terms of any travel arrangements you have booked through an agent you are basically their client until you step back into the country.  They may be able to offer you help should something go wrong with your tickets while if you booked online booking online you will be scrambling to find anybody that cares if your flight arrangements go pear shaped.

Most people will use an agent to try and beat a price they have found online.

In terms of advice travel agents are biased; you need to be savvy about your destination and prices before acceptation an agents word.

Reasons to use an agent:

• If your arrangements are complicated (lots countries and connections) and you are not comfortable booking yourself
• You have a contact if things go wrong
• If you want a flight held for a short period before paying any money – most agents will be happy to hold a seat for you as it means you might actually book through them eventually
• To take full advantage of their advice – though this advice is sometimes not without considerable bias
• If you want somebody to do all the work of planning your trip for you
• If you are a student there are some discounts booking through STA and Student Flights. Read student pricing first before you decide to book as these discounts can be fairly low or non-existent, despite big claims to the contrary

When its better to avoid agents

• If you feel like you are paying too much.  Walk away and look somewhere else before you book.  Read Travel agents – am I being ripped off? Before you use one
• If your arrangements are pretty straightforward – the net makes it easy to book all you need for short trips yourself
• Always contact suppliers directly for information on tours you plan to take and read online reviews for accommodation before you book through an agent: their advice is biased towards preferred companies and hotels that make them more money
• If you don’t feel like being told what you want to do is expensive – travel can be sold as an expensive exercise – you can always find a way to do things cheaper

As long as you are savvy about your destination and prices before you use an agent you will have somebody to take the leg work out of booking your arrangements and somebody to call if things go wrong.  On the flipside booking online yourself has never been easier and will usually save you money on the total cost of the trip.

Also see travel agents: am I being ripped off?

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