When planning a trip, it is
advisable to spend some time
doing research even if you are
booking through a Travel
Agent. This research could
save you a significant amount
of money and perhaps prevent a
miserable stay in a
sub-standard hotel.
Many people have moved away
from using Travel Agents. This
is understandable due to the
availability of cheap fares
and hotel rooms through the
internet. However, it is wise
to consider the benefits of
utilizing a professional
particularly when proposing to
visit somewhere that you
haven’t previously been.
Some of the advantages of
using a Travel Agent are
gaining the benefit of their
expertise, experience,
personal service, ability and
indeed the obligation to
clarify and inform you of
details in the fine print
which you may miss if booking
on your own account, their up
to date knowledge of the
latest deals and their ability
to distill and interpret
information to hopefully offer
you the best value deal for
your trip.
With that said, it is still
prudent to conduct your own
research. The Travel Agent can
provide suggestions about a
range of airlines you could
use and different fares and
advise on hotels in good areas
within budget guidelines. At
this point you have some great
information to work off. You
have not had to start from
scratch. You have an idea as
to which are the better priced
airlines and the areas you
should look at staying taking
into account what you’re
looking to do in a particular
place. Now you can see if
there are internet deals that
may beat the air fares the
Travel Agent has quoted you.
In many cases these days, the
Travel Agency will do what
they can to equal or beat
whatever publicized deal is
out there. It is a very
competitive industry. In the
cases of hotels, many of the
chains as well as some
independents are claiming to
have the best internet deals
on their own sites. This is of
benefit to both the consumer
as well as the hotel. They
don’t have to pay commission
to a third party and you are
dealing directly with the
establishment that you are
proposing to stay with who can
answer any queries that you
may have regarding elements of
your accommodation as well as
possibly saving money. You
will also find that when
booking direct off the hotel
website that you may be
offered upgrades or specials
not available anywhere else.
The internet is also a
great and up to date resource
which can allow you to read
reviews from consumers
regarding airlines, hotels,
sightseeing trips and just
about anything that you can
think of. This can be
invaluable. If you go to a
site such as www.tripadvisor.com
you will find reviews on just
about any hotel in the world.
Many of the reviews provide
excellent information about
the hotel rooms, restaurants,
attitude of the staff,
cleanliness, activities and
pool if they have one. If
looking for reviews on
airlines there are 2
particularly good sites – www.epinions.com
and www.carsurvey.org/air
Don’t underestimate the
value of a good Travel Agent
but be prepared to put in some
time to conduct your own
research. The worst you could
do is add to the excitement of
planning for a trip and maybe
you’ll even save yourself
some money!
