Compare booking online vs travel agent
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Lets look at some differences between booking trips online and via a travel agent.
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| What is your preferred way to book a trip, online or by a travel agent? Let us know! |
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Booking online vs travel agent:
Travel, holiday and vacation are terms which evoke visions of searching for information followed by booking of tickets, both of which could be long and painful ordeals. This explains as to why people were relieved when travel agents came into being and overjoyed when the Internet enveloped the travel industry within its fold. But another unexpected conundrum which surfaced entailed choosing between a travel agent and the Internet and over a period of time this debate still rages on without any signs of dying out.
Travel agent provides comfort and personal touch?
Differentiating between the two is viable method to approach decision making in this regard and the most obvious difference between the two is the personal touch provided by a travel agent vis-à-vis the impersonal interaction on the net. There are several aspects pertaining to travel wherein a travel agent can spell all the difference between an enjoyable trip and a bad experience simply by his presence. Explaining the fine print, coordinating with contacts to acquire the latest information and chalking out a customised travel schedule are some of the areas in which a travel agent can prove to be truly handy. You also have a point of call who is an expert and can help in case of any issues arising before, during or after the scheduled trip.
Booking online cheaper and more flexible?
Online booking has its advantages too, foremost on the list being the provision to compare various deals without having to spend time collecting information from individual sources. All that is required is to type in the relevant keywords in the search box of a prominent search engine and results are manifested in form of websites which facilitate comparison on the basis of various parameters. Likewise, a glaring disadvantage with online booking is that often the information provided is outdated, meaning you need to be prepared for surprises along the way.
Discounts are provided by both options and the onus of identifying a deal which is most lucrative lies with you. If you are confident of drawing your own itinerary, then booking online will save you a lot of time, otherwise a travel agent is your best bet.
Which is better?
How do you like to book your international business or dream holiday? At a travel agent or by booking online?
Did you check prices online first then go to the travel agent having a good idea about what you wanted? Let us know your tips below.
This is what I do: do all your research online, visit a travel agent for ideas. Once you have decided on dates and destinations, check the best prices online, it can take some time and check a few comparison websites along the way. Then visit your travel agent. The agent can usually beat or price match when given evidence of your best prices. If they accept, book with them. After that, you have the best price plus the comfort of knowing you have a point of call if something were to go wrong with your trip.