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Travel agents?

clonomaniac

clonomaniac

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2006
2,013
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St Louis, MO
I am going with a group of at least 12 people to DC from St Louis. Do you recommend going thru a travel agent for booking flights for this 3 day trip? I wonder if any of the airlines can give me group rates when I try to do them online - or should I talk to a travel agent in person? Please advise.
 
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If I'm going to a resort anywhere (Disney, Carribean, Cruises, etc) I use a travel agent since there are multiple transfers and connections involved. I've found AAA to be very good at that and have good rates. Whether they are the best, I don't know. I used what ended up being some old lady running an agency out of her basement one time because she was cheapest and about every time and detail of the trip was screwed up. Have never had an issue with AAA.
For just flights and hotels, I usually go online, find who has the best rates in general, then call whatever airline that was and see what they can do for me. I have made reservations for up to 8 at a time. Did not get any group rate per se, but they were able to get us seated together which has not happened all the time online.
 
The service is free, so we usually use one when we are planning big trips. Haven't been anywhere to use them in a while, but they were always great at knowing all the options and finding the info for you. But this was before all of the info was out on the internet.

So now, with the internet, I'm not sure how much more helpful they can be than just spending some time on google yourself.
 
wartknight said:
If I'm going to a resort anywhere (Disney, Carribean, Cruises, etc) I use a travel agent since there are multiple transfers and connections involved. I've found AAA to be very good at that and have good rates. Whether they are the best, I don't know. I used what ended up being some old lady running an agency out of her basement one time because she was cheapest and about every time and detail of the trip was screwed up. Have never had an issue with AAA.
For just flights and hotels, I usually go online, find who has the best rates in general, then call whatever airline that was and see what they can do for me. I have made reservations for up to 8 at a time. Did not get any group rate per se, but they were able to get us seated together which has not happened all the time online.
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Thanks so much!!! I will look into AAA.
 
Andrea at Great Southern Travel in West Des Moines.

She has done three trips for me and never had a problem. On our trip home from the USVI got us into first class at coach rates.
 
On flights, booking online can be the cheapest route. You can check with the airline to see if there is a group rate available. Many times it is 20 people, sometimes there is a 10 person minimum.

There is usually an 800 number on airline website to give you info on group travel. Call them and find out.

If you are booking with a travel company like Funjet, or Apple there is no charge if you go through a travel agent.

So it all depends. Be aware that travel is crazy and prices change constantly. Within minutes in many cases. So you may wish to talk to an agent from the airline direct or use a travel agent to ensure that all of you will be booked on the same flights, and accomodations etc. Check to see if there are charges for doing so and you will have no surprises.

Get all the info you can so you can be an informed consumer and make the best move for your group.
 
cycopath25 said:
Travel Agents still exist?
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Few and far between. Most of them do it as a 2nd job out of there home.

Going through a travel agent is a great idea, but NEVER go with one who charges you any sort of fee. Travel Agents make all their money on the back end. I would go into this as I work in the travel industry but don't have the time.
 
Slightly off topic but we always use a Travel Agent when we go on cruises. 1) It costs us nothing and 2) Cruise agents typically get a block of rooms that they can sell cheaper than what you'll find on discounts sites like Expedia.
 
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