Travel agents for multi-stop trips?

isplumm

conradmum wrote: »

This is good advice. Try Flightcentre. They've always given us good deals (and beat Trailfinders' prices). A nice, cheap, well-located hotel in Hong Kong is the Shamrock on Nathan Road.

I would definitely 2nd FlightCentre .... used them last year to go to NZ ... best price ... excellent service.

Mark

isplumm

Catatonia wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice. I will look at flights through Opodo. I think not paying until arrival might be a good idea. Could this cause any problems if they try and charge more than is quoted on their website? I'm just a bit wary about having to trail round hotels with lots of luggage, or argue with someone in another language.

Hi,

Why would the prices change .... use hotels.com or similar ... they have different rates for pre-pay & pay at departure ... also I suggest you find hotel & email direct - see if you can get a deal.

Mark

conradmum

Catatonia wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice. I will look at flights through Opodo. I think not paying until arrival might be a good idea. Could this cause any problems if they try and charge more than is quoted on their website? I'm just a bit wary about having to trail round hotels with lots of luggage, or argue with someone in another language.

Hotels often charge different rates for their rooms and the highest price will be for people who walk in off the street wanting somewhere to stay that night. If you look at some websites it states 'online booking rate' or similar.

Bananabelly

I wouldn't bother with Opodo either. I have never ever seen them to be the cheapest option, and even though they do multi stop flight they are often poorly routed and very expensive.

You might find that turning up to a hotel is ok in China, as bargaining is the norm for everything there. It also depends on the time of year, but we went in July/August and didn't have any problems turning up and asking for a room. However, since it's a place you haven't been before (?) and you seem a little nervous, it would be best to book ahead for your own peace of mind. Just remember, unless you want ultimate luxury, hotels in China are pretty cheap.

lynzpower

I have booked hotels online when in the country itself- just find an internet cafe and print it off. We got fantastic prices doing this on hotels.com both in the USA and malaysia.

This is not a complex trip, so simply book seperately. If you are happy with the flightprice at trail finders, then take that.

Make sure you get your insurance now though.

harz99

Just my two-penneth; based on a personal experience of Trailfinders, I would not trust them to book anything which is not one of their package holidays. They managed to change some of my flights in a round the world trip without realising it (how do you do that), could not get me back on the originals and then suggested alternatives which did not comply with the RTW ticket conditions.

Besides all that they are also expensive!

Look at the Travel sections in the Saturday Daily Telegraph or the Mail on Sunday for plenty of other discount RTW flight sales. Cathay Pacific, by the way, has a fairly low 20kg per person checked baggage allowance.

Catatonia

Thanks all. I think I will pre-book the hotel, as I think I would prefer the peace of mind.

Thanks for the Cathays Pacific info, harz. I will try and travel light!