Travel Agents

[undercover]

Im now getting the same problem as I had last year. every travel agent I walk into and ask about making a booking from Bangkok to London around December tell me it's too early prices are high now wait till closer the time you want to go. after waiting you are then told prices are high now because you have left it too late.

I realize it's all money related and they couldn't care less about you but how can the same travel agent who tells you one thing then after tells you another keep getting away with it ?

Has anyone had the same thing ?

[Tonto21]

Hi undercover

IMHO just go with internet booking if you can, I’ve been happy with the price that I pay up to now. Sorry to say but there are some ropey travel agents about. Do your home work……Good luck.

[undercover]

Yes Tonto21. I have been thinking of doing the booking myself this time. personally I would think the sooner you book the better if there are more than one of you traveling ?

[Tonto21]

Yes Tonto21. I have been thinking of doing the booking myself this time. personally I would think the sooner you book the better if there are more than one of you traveling ?

I think so, I’m no expert on when the best time to book is, but practical experience has borne out the fact that leaving bookings late, means paying more, (not like the old days) apparently since 9/11, it’s an anti terrorist thing!! Go figure that one out, don’t get me started.

[jackr]

Other than a need to pay in cash, why would one use a travel agent in this day and age? Inefficient, hassle, time lost and the chance of being ripped off.

[undercover]

Other than a need to pay in cash, why would one use a travel agent in this day and age? Inefficient, hassle, time lost and the chance of being ripped off.

............................

Very good point. can anybody recommend a good place to book on line ?

[moe666]

The travel agent is trying to get you a good price believe it are not. The airlines will sale blocks of tickets for routes that have not sold out these tickets tend to come on the market 2 or 3 months before flights depending on airline. The problem is if a very popular route there maybe no unsold tickets. The airlines want to fill there airplanes that is why they discount last min. unsold tickets.

The travel agent is trying to get you the best deal by waiting.

[Tonto21]

The travel agent is trying to get you a good price believe it are not. The airlines will sale blocks of tickets for routes that have not sold out these tickets tend to come on the market 2 or 3 months before flights depending on airline. The problem is if a very popular route there maybe no unsold tickets. The airlines want to fill there airplanes that is why they discount last min. unsold tickets.

The travel agent is trying to get you the best deal by waiting.

Hi moe666

You mention discounted last minutes flight, I travel a lot and my personal experience does not concur with this. Days gone by, pre 9/11 that’s how I would fly, last minutes every time, (any route, any time) and get a great price. All I find now is the longer I leave it the more it gets, right up to boarding!! The airlines would trot out some BS about anti-terrorist measures! I do understand how the airlines sell seats in block, and how they price then. But reading your reply have jogged my memory to one thing; the last time I flew, I saw a “Stand by” Q sign in Chiangmai airport; I’ve not seen one of these for years. What do you know I don’t?

[Miiyai46]

Try zuji.com

Travel agents are good if you want to book a ticket and you are not sure about your flight schedule yet as the agent will hold the booking for quite long time with no charge.

If you use Internet you cannot book a flight but you must pay it immediately, so you must be sure about your flight schedule.