Best Deals Online or Instore ??

kevh1980

Dear MSE,

Can anyone tell me if it is just a myth that Travel Agents online discount is cheaper than any price they can offer instore ?

If I went in and asked if they could beat a price is there anything they can do or is the online price really the best they can offer ??

Thanks

Wonderful100

I would always go in to ask but my experience is that the agents have never been able to get the price anywhere near the online one and have told me to go away and book the online deal straight away.

As usual last year I was advised to do this but because of work had to hang on a few more days and sure enough the agent was right and the deal I had originally priced up was then fully booked.

Pollycat

I've had a high street Travel Agent beat a quote provided by Kuoni.

I spoke to Kuoni who gave me a price and reference number.

I popped into Co-op Travel who also rang Kuoni and were given exactly the same price and reference number.

The manager initially offered us free insurance, which was no good for us as we have annual insurance, then gave us £120 off - not a fortune but better than nothing.
I think it depends how much their profit is and if they're willing to cut that profit to do a deal.

Another time, I also got an on-line price for a Thomas Cook holiday and rang one of their numbers using SAYNOTO0870 as I needed clarification on something.
The guy I spoke to (different part of Thomas Cook to the on-line bit) price matched.

The only problerm you might have is that the on-line price might have gone up by the time you've done the comparing.
If I think I've got a real bargain on-line, I tend to snap it up.

katieclampet

Personally I have always got a better deal online. However if we have been travelling with a big group of friends, and have had more complicated holiday arrangements, it has always been done through a travel agent for ease. (Have always got a good deal there as well, just maybe not the best).

If you do go ahead online with a price you are happy with, don't keep checking the price after you've booked. Lots of people seem to do that, and get upset if the price has gone down.

katiex

stephb34

At the moment most travel agents will be matching or beating their own websites as the prices will have been set for them to be able to do this. I would personally deal with the travel agent than the internet because if you have any problems that need sorting its much easier to deal with face to face than keep ringing an expensive number. I've had a hotel change on my next holiday and the travel agent dealt with it immediately, goodness knows how long i'd have been on the phone dealing with it myself and they also know your rights what you can feasibly request and expect.
The amount of discount you can expect to get also depends on when you want to travel ie a late deal or your summer holiday.