Part Three: Booking Online vs. A Travel Agent

Mybookingwizard.com writes:

"A number of other disadvantages exist with the use of online booking. Because of the need for exchanging sensitive personal data, such as home addresses and bank and credit card details, the online booking process is an attractive target for cyber criminals looking to steal this information. Fake websites created for the sole purpose of stealing personal information is also an ever-present danger. Plus, as individuals don’t have another individual to deal with in the booking process, it is left to them to read and understand the often complicated terms and conditions."

Read more: http://www.mybookingwizard.com/pros-cons-of-online-booking/ 

smh.com.au writes:

"Another is hotels and tour operators with similar names, a problem that has caused many travellers to end up in the wrong place. Car rental companies and other operators have also had problems with people making a booking for the wrong city, such as Sydney in Canada instead of Sydney, Australia."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/traveller-tips/travel-agents-versus-online-booking-pros-and-cons-20090402-9ksi.html#ixzz1qKh1gTZz

ehow.co.uk writes:

"Travel booking sites are in a sense their own kind of middleman. When you book your holiday through an external site like Orbitz, Expedia or Priceline, you are often expected to adhere to that particular website's cancellation and refund policy instead of, or in addition to, the policy of the airline or hotel where you're making your reservation. In a worst-case scenario, in the event you have to cancel or change your travel dates, you could wind up paying two cancellation fees instead of the one you'd have if you'd booked directly with the hotel or airline."

Read more: Pros & Cons of Booking Holidays Online | eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8605150_pros-cons-booking-holidays-online.html#ixzz1qKhowjYj

buzzle.com writes:

Cons
✘ Every technology has its disadvantages and so does online bookings. While the Internet offers good reviews and comments of some supposed previous travelers, there is no guarantee that the names and positive comments are authentic. The travel agent on the other hand, tends to make a suggestion based on his personal experience and quotes by his previous customers.

✘ With a huge scale of frauds and Internet crimes taking place, online booking sites are not far behind. There are several well-designed sites that offer to do online bookings for their customers. They offer fake reviews and holiday discounts to lure customers. There is a high chance of innocent customers booking a holiday or an airplane ticket through these sites. These sites generally issue fake itineraries and tickets after the payment is made. Preference for online bookings demands that customers stay alert and ensure authenticity of the online booking sites before proceeding with any transaction.

✘ Online booking sites are designed to make the customers feel that they have got the cheapest travel deal on offer. However, the grim reality is that the commission, taxes and hidden charges on online booking sites are way higher than traditional travel agents.

Read more: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/booking-tickets-online-or-through-a-travel-agent-which-is-better.html

TravelDreamMegazine.com writes:

The Lowest Prices are Guaranteed Online? Or Are They?

Have you ever gone online and found the most amazing deal on a flight and then when you start going into the actual booking the price just goes higher and higher? Online travel sites are well known for the “bait and switch” tactic. They have all done clever marketing campaigns to get the word out that you will get the lowest prices for the same packages that agents sell and if you travel often then you may be discovering that this is just not the case. In fact every agent I have talked with about a price I found online has matched and further reduced the online price, so why doesn’t the Agent have the upper hand here?
There are some unbelievable travel deals to be found on an online site but is what you see always what you get? You purchase the trip and then the online site says oh we are sorry the tour operator changed the flight, or cancelled it all together. It isn’t our fault but the charter flight company changed the flight. Is it just me or are these “changes” happening more with online bookings than with agency bookings?

The Bottom Line — Travel Buyers Beware

In response to my recent online booking issues, I’m questioning if I ever want to book a flight or trip online again. Having a relationship with a good travel agent means experience, expertise, information, customer service and someone that has my back. I’m starting to wonder why consumer reports have not been compiled on issues of using Online Travel Sites for bookings and is it really true that they offer the lowest price for the same vacations you get with an Agent? Just sayin’!

Read more: http://dreamtravelmagazine.com/booking-with-a-travel-agent-vs-booking-online-which-is-better/

Sarika & Mital's 14 Day India Adventure

14 Day Customized Youth Tour Haridwar/Rishikesh/Mussoorie/Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Aurangabad/Mumbai 

Dear Rashmi,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you so very much for organizing my trip to Northern India. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime and all the kudos go to you and your team.

I'm amazed by your ability to take our unique circumstances, our crazy ideas and your expert knowledge to put together an itinerary that was truly customized to us. You gave us exactly what we asked for - history, religion, culture, adventure sports, spirituality, natural and man made wonders and a whole lot of shopping.

I'm normally the person that plans our travels with my nose in all the travel books and hundreds of printouts detailing our itinerary. I've now realized that I have wasted hours worrying and missing out on experiences when I should have just left everything in your capable hands.

Our previous itineraries were so structured that being even an hour late would cause chaos in re-planning and would inevitably mean stress. But with your company the adjustments would be completed seamlessly behind the scenes by your very professional onsite staff without compromising the sights.

I had no need for the heavy cumbersome travel books on this trip. The tour guides were well educated and their knowledge ten times exceeded anything I could read about in the books.

Thank you for the personal service and personal touch you added to our trip. I'm in love with India and am looking forward to planning a return to see Southern India with your company.

With many thanks,

Mital Patel

Dear Rashmi,

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to you and your staff for organizing our recent trip. India has left us speechless, so I am not even sure where to begin but I will try my best!

When we first approached you, we had a million and one places we wanted to visit within India but with limited time and a budget. We felt that you were the perfect fit for us because of your experience in the travel industry and specialization in tourism to India. You were kind, patient and understanding. You listened to all of our ideas and made some very great suggestions. We loved that you were able to customize our trip while taking into consideration our budget and time. I don’t know how you did it, but you did it so  perfectly given the tight timeline. You came up with exactly what we wanted – a little bit of Eat, Pray, Love, a dash of adventure, a splash of royalty, a pinch of history and monuments, topped off with some great shopping and the hustle & bustle of Mumbai and Dehli!

We loved that you sat down with us to walk through our itinerary, addressed our questions and concerns as well shared your experiences and provided a whole bunch of traveling tips to India. Our travel arrangements, ground transportation, accommodations, tour guides, private drivers and the works were all arranged and seamlessly carried out with little or no problems! Our tour guides were all very helpful, extremely knowledgeable, accommodating and great company. I highly recommend the tour guides in Delhi and Aurangabad! They were outstanding and went out of their way to shine. The drivers you selected for us were safe, knowledgeable, and also great company. They knew where to stop for clean washrooms and would advise us of our surroundings... which made us feel safe. The hotels you recommended were also amazing! Even though we were on a budget you went beyond our expectations and found us places that were conveniently located, within our budget, clean and comfortable. Your attention to details, creativity and coordination are impeccable.

Overall, the many people we met through your company made us feel safe and welcomed. The hotel staff, drivers, tour guides and your agent in India were all very friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. I’ve been to India many times and I’ve never quite had an experience like this one. You went beyond our expectations and delivered a trip of a lifetime!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart and look forward to traveling with you again!

Sarika