When it comes to planning a vacation, travelers have to decide whether to book directly with the airline or go through a travel agent. While booking directly with the airline may be more convenient, there are certain advantages to using a travel agent. In this article, we'll discuss the pros and cons of booking direct, booking with a travel agent online, and booking with a travel agent in person. When it comes to convenience, booking directly with the airline is almost always the best option.
You know you can count on better customer service if things go wrong and many airlines will refund the difference if the price changes after purchasing the ticket. Southwest, for example, reimburses the difference directly to you or applies it as a credit toward a future airfare. Expedia and Travelocity offer a price match guarantee, but only if you find the lowest rate within 24 hours of booking. For those who prefer to book online, there are many advantages to forgoing the professional trip planner and doing it yourself.
You can access the same things to book as a travel agent and you can often find better deals than what a travel agent can offer. Scott's is run by a team of travel fanatics who are constantly looking for flight deals from all kinds of origins to all kinds of destinations. On the other hand, there are certain advantages to using a travel agent. For airlines and some accommodations, they will provide you with better seats or rooms than indicated by online travel agencies.
They usually keep the best services for direct bookings. The job of a travel agent is to make sure you have an amazing vacation, but they are not inside your head and they don't know exactly how you like to travel. If you're looking to book something like an African safari, a trip on the Trans-Siberian railway, an adventure to Antarctica, or something similar, it's a good idea to use a travel agent and especially one that specializes in your destination. Travel agents act as a link or intermediary between the companies in the destination that offer various holiday products and services, and the traveler himself.
These can be a lifesaver for those travelers who prefer to book online rather than use a travel agent. At the end of the day, it's wise for certain travelers or certain types of vacations to choose a travel agent instead of booking online. American Express Travel has several different branches such as the luxurious Fine Hotels+Resorts program and its Global Business Travel program. There are also many large travel agencies in the U.
S., such as Next Travel and Liberty Travel. In conclusion, when deciding whether to book directly with an airline or use a travel agent, it's important to consider your needs and preferences. If you're looking for convenience and better customer service in case something goes wrong, then booking directly with an airline is probably your best bet. However, if you're looking for something more specialized such as an African safari or an adventure trip, then using a travel agent may be your best option.
