Hotels and Flights - Do you use a travel agent or do you book online?

[Marc]

I just booked a flight to Thailand and could not get the flight I wanted on Thai Air online. It's been a while since I travelled a lot by air and back then I used a travel agent. I ended up getting a travel agent to put the Cincinnati- NY - Bangkok flight and return booked.

What are your experiences (especially overseas and using non-US airlines) in online booking?

[IEGeek]

I have never had an issue at all with online booking. http://www.nwa.com makes it super easy (depending on your destination)

Most places even let you check in to your flight online saving wait time in line at the ticket counter. I drop my bags with the SkyCap, and walk right to the gate. On http://www.americawest.com they even let you upgrade to First Class for $50 - $100 and pick your seat.

I was like you in my hesitancy about 2 years ago, and now I do it all online from business trips to personal trips. i would think some of the road warriors out there have great ways to book multiple destinations. For example, it is cheaper for me and the Mrs. to fly from LAX to Traverse City to Chicago back to LAX First class than it would be for us to fly coach from LAX to TVC and back.

If you need some tips or more personalized help let me know.

Just some thoughts.....

[Marc]

Within the US I woundn't have an issue at all booking online. In my case Thai Air has a really nice 'special' through May on a direct flight from NY to Bangkok (17 hours from NY). I couldn't get it to come up at the advertised fare. Thai Air's NY office said they could do the NY - Bangkok part of the ticket but not the US part. Technically I could have done the US part online and had Thai Air do their part by phone and mail, but I decided what the heck - I had a local travel agent do the whole thing and send me the tickets.

Maybe this was a Thai Air data integration issue with travel sites, but I couldn't get the 'special' fare online.

[tomvehoski]

For work we are required to use the corporate travel agent, either over the phone or via their own web site. For personal travel I normally book at nwa.com and then hotel (Hilton preferred) and car (National) directly with the website of the provider - I usually find their website to be the best price, and most flexible (no cancellation penalty, no pre-pay, etc.). You have to be careful since some consolidator websites may bill you for everything when you make the reservation and then charge change/cancellation penalities.

Thai is part of the Star Alliance (http://www.star-alliance.com/star_al...e/main_10.html) of which United and US Air are also members. You might be able to pull up a codeshare flight through one of these two US carriers. You usually will get some frequent flier mile bonuses for online booking, checkin, etc. too.

www.flyertalk.com is a great site for any information you want about travel.

[IEGeek]

We too WERE required to use a corporate travel agent. I say were, because time and time again I was able to get a better deal, or a more flexible flight (no Saturday night) than the corporate travel people. I was consistently beating the corp. travel lady by as much as 50%. I was also able to upgrade easier when appropriate as well as change flights, hotel stays and car types. When it was all pre-paid and booked, those changes are difficult. Case in point; the corp travel gal booked me on flight from LAX to ORD (coach) on AA leaving Saturday morning at 6:15AM PST, she had me renting a sub-compact and staying in a rack rate room at the Palmer House. Returning on Thursday from MDW to LAX at 11:15PM CST. My presentation was a three day affair from Mon - Wed with a follow up on Thur morning. The entire trip as she booked was approximately $3750. I went online through www.nwa.com and booked First Class from LAX to ORD on Sunday evening, mid-size car, Junior Suite at the Palmer House returning Thur afternoon from ORD to LAX (First Class) and the entire trip was $1990. For some reason after that trip we no longer use the corp travel people.

[tomvehoski]

Our travel agent is actually another operating company of our parent. The main point seems to be to enforce travel policy - no first class, lowest fare, preferred hotels, etc. Exceptions are automatically sent for the proper approval. Apparently in years past everyone would book first, high fare coach for upgrades, etc. We do get some good discounts on hotels and cars, but I can also just use the corporate code direct with the provider website. They did save $5 on my last $500 airfare, of course their fee was $10.

[jaimezepeda]

In the past I've window shopped at Expedia.com for airfare, car and hotel. I then go to each of the airline's, car rental's and hotel's site to find an even better bargain. To date this strategy has not failed me.

Sometimes Expedia has packaged deals (vacation deals) for airfare, hotel and car but you are limited to the airline, hotel and car rental of their choice. Also, sometimes sites like Expedia will not issue e-tickets and paper tickets cost extra (and the surcharge is not published on the web site). I have heard airlines are not kind when changes are needed to tickets booked with consolidators like Expedia.

Jaime

[springsf]

online booking unless I'm going somewhere new and different b.c travel agents offer great tips and are usually very helpful!