Also if you see good deals online and wary about booking it, print it off and go to your local Travel Agent. As so many people are booking online nowadays, put it to the agent and ask if they will match or better it. More than not, they will for a sale, therefore having a direct contact available for any queries that may arise prior to the holiday.

Just a brief late edition to this subject.

Flight Centre claim to match or beat any legitimate online deal. If your a bit wary about paying for anything online and you see something on the internet just print the deal off and take it in to flight Centre and say "beat or match this please".

It works for me.



Briefly again, they don't sell fares on airlines like Air Asia and Tiger so they won't match any deals from them.

Yes thats good advice and we have found Flight Centre to be courteous efficient and very willing to do their best for us ............we use them always and at least once a year ...................... :coolsmile:

I always shop around, I make at least 3 international trips a year and watch the "specials" closely.

If you're going to Asia the small local travel agents in the "Chinatown" of your state capital are often hard to beat. Also their local knowledge is usually great.

I never trust Flight Centre's first price, they are there to make money remember!

It always helps to know the tricks of the trade. sceadugenga is very correct

with the statement that the best deals to Asia can usually be found at

China Town. One of my partners has just flown to Shanghai with China

Airlines at $600+ return. Usually China East is the cheapest & they are

regularly beaten by Viva Macau. None of these have Flight Centre as an

agent.

It is a bit long, but here is an article I wrote on one of my enewsletters about Internet Vs Travel Agents. I run an Travel Information website especially for Seniors. It has some good tips:

When planning a holiday it's tough to know if you're getting the best deals and making the best holiday plans. Should you do it yourself online or should you consult a travel agent? Here are the pros and cons for each option to help you make the best decision.

I[b]nternet Holiday Planning[/b]

There's nothing like doing it yourself. In fact, you might even consider planning a part of the holiday experience. You can make whatever plans you want to and you are not locked into any pre-designed holiday package. It gives you the freedom to choose and package according to your personal preferences and interests, without compromise. The Internet has made self-planning and researching a holiday so much easier and enjoyable. It gives you exposure to:

* Tour companies and providers your travel agent is not familiar or affiliated with.

* Allows you to stumble upon those little travel gems that we all hope to find.

* Allows you to take advantage of currency fluctuations with a strong Australian dollar.

* Deal direct and ask your own questions

On the other side of the coin, however, is the uncertainty. Did you make reservations at a safe hotel? What about the tour you booked - do they speak English, are they accredited? Who is going to pick you up from the airport and how do you get around? When you make holiday plans yourself, it's up to you to make the decisions and you have to live with the consequences.

Saving money? This is a toss-up. Sometimes you do save more money when you book your travel plans online yourself, and sometimes you don't. Travel agents have access to all of the same internet sites you do and then some. They are often given preferred commissions by tour companies and providers that allow them to discount. There is no reason why you cannot combine both. You might be more confident in booking your airfare with an accredited travel agent and surf the internet to fill in the gaps yourself.

Bricks and mortar travel agencies need to much work harder these days for business with the Internet in direct competition. With this new competitive landscape, there are quite a few travel agents that excel in service and are price competitive. In saying that, they work extremely hard and in my experience, they genuinely love their jobs. So it is best not to waste their time if you are not serious about travelling or booking with a travel agent (or at least thinking about it).

[b]Travel Agent Holiday Planning[/b]

When you book with a travel agent, many times you're paying for an overall package. This means that if you decide you want to cut your stay short in one city and move onto the next city in your itinerary, well you may just be out of luck. However, if you've booked it yourself, you have the freedom to change your plans on the fly. Customising your trip to meet your needs is a bit tricky and can quickly become more expensive than you want.

Certainty - travel agents are experts in travel. They know the ins and outs of every location they promote, including taxes and the laws relating to visas and passports. They know where the best places are to stay and what the best activities are.

[b]The Bottom Line[/b]

The decision whether to book your holiday yourself or to pay for the services of a travel agent comes down to a few basic questions. The most important question may be, "where are you travelling to?" If you're going someplace you've never been or an exotic country, you may be better off going with a travel agent who can be assured to plan a safe and relaxing trip for you.



If you're booking a trip to a familiar place or enjoy the planning and research, you're as likely to find good deals yourself as a travel agent is. If you want certainty, a packaged holiday and the comfort of consulting an expert, go with a travel agent. If you want customisation and the freedom to plan a trip that meets your needs and don't need certainty, go ahead and plan your holiday yourself.

Thanks

Bronwyn