[familyequalslove]

So I was wondering what is cheaper - booking direct with the airline or through an agent?
I'm looking at Vietnam or Cambodia so have done some searches on Malaysian airlines and Singapore however if I go into a travel agent are they likely to offer the same price?

I would prefer to go with an agent so they can organise the visa etc. Not sure about accommodation yet.

Do agents price match what you find online?

[PrincessPeach]

I go to Harvey Norman & they always match the prices I've found online.

The other thing i've found is they can often package accomodation & flights together, so your accomodation ends up cheaper than what you can book yourself, plus transfers are easy to arrange.

[jai*]

Harvey Norman?

I always check the comparison websites, Zuji, Skyscanner etc and then book with whomever is cheaper. The airlines are working hard at being the lowest price available!

When I went to Vietnam we booked directly with Jetstar. It was a horrible trip, but it was super cheap so I would do it again. But I'd prefer to use Vietnam Airlines.

[PrincessPeach]

Sorry Harvery World!

Just imagine the look on the faces of the staff if i walked into harvey norman asking to book a holiday...

Only 1 1/2 days of work to go.

This post has been edited by PrincessPeach: 20/12/2012, 10:59 AM

[jai*]

Sorry Harvery World!

Just imagine the look on the faces of the staff if i walked into harvey norman asking to book a holiday...

Only 1 1/2 days of work to go.

LOL that's what I was thinking!

[Peanut]

Sorry Harvery World!

Just imagine the look on the faces of the staff if i walked into harvey norman asking to book a holiday...

Only 1 1/2 days of work to go.

Good one!

[countrymel]

Just imagine the look on the faces of the staff if i walked into harvey norman asking to book a holiday...

Well I'd expect them to at least try to sell you an itty bitty book light, neck pillow, and some travel adaptors for all the small electrical items they were offloading on you!




OP I'd simply do a run down of the prices you can get off the web and then compare them to what the agent can offer you. Often it is worth paying a little extra just to have someone else do all the running around for you.

I've done it both ways and each has had it's pitfalls.

The most important thing though is to organise travel insurance.

[PrincessPeach]

At least I can add some enteratinment to this otherwise dragging on forever day!

Although Harvey Norman do price match..

This post has been edited by PrincessPeach: 20/12/2012, 11:11 AM

[lovealpacas]

Flight Centre's policy is to beat any price (only by $1 but still) on flights if you find a price online, print up the info from the page and take it to them on the same day.

Eta if you do this and they DON'T beat the price, ie accidentally charge you the same or more, their policy is to give you the flights for free.

This post has been edited by lovealpacas: 20/12/2012, 11:29 AM

[emlis22]

I always go through an agent (flight centre in particular). I have a good relationship with one agent in particular now and I think it really helps. I just like that he can tell me good places to go, where to stay, can do you quotes to mull over, and you can email them with any 'dumb' questions you might have leading up to the trip.

The price is no different. When I was booking some internal flights in the US - the agent basically said we don't book through with company, but you can do so using our credit card. Same happened when I was looking for my flight over to the US. I found the cheapest one, and went in and booked with the agent. I just liked having the feeling that if something didn't work out, the travel agent was there to fall back on and help out (like chasing our luggage for us when it didn't arrive in Phuket!).