Want a quote on something specific?

TRAVELMAN_2

Morning Budgetflyer.

I'm sorry-do I have to 'clock-in' at certain times to please you? I am here-eople can PM/e-mail me at ANY time. I am very, very busy at the moment which is how I like it & yes-some people come from MSE.

Look at this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=48212 as a recent example.

Please remember I work ON MY OWN at home.If I'm too busy I'll always pass my enquiries on to others (& hopefully they will reply promptly) & if I miss the odd one then, hey-I'm sorry but only human.

Why the personal attack? I do have a life & don't have to pacify you as to when/how I post on MSE. I've recently just booked GLAD (who works on the moneysavers arms) too. I have also been in contact with 'savapenny' who I know from before this board. I don't 'need my reputation salvaging'-the above threads & the fact I am so busy speak for themselves.

As for encouraging people to 'totaly DIY' this is irresponsible advice as many, many people are not as clued up as you, Budgetflyer & may not realise that to totaly 'DiY' does NOT give you full cover.

If a family with 2 young kids books, say Majorca end of July, get tp the Hotel, Manager says 'sorry-we're overbooked' or 'we're moving you to another Hotel', what can you do if the room is booked independantly & not part of an ATOL package. NOTHING. You are not protected at all-if you have a contact number on your Hotel Voucher it won't be a 24 hour contact with english staff. Book it as an ATOL package & you have all the help, assistance & rep service you need-usually at NO EXTRA COST as the ATOL rates for accom are cheaper than public rates.

I not getting in to a big argument Budgetflyer bu feel your comments are not fair. I am just very very busy. People can contact me by e-mail, PM & continue to do so-if I can't help, others can.

Chris

Bombayduck_2

Well done! Travel man. Many people do not think that help & advise come from hard work. Especially the good advice. As you say, people that "DIY", are lucky they know the loop holes (or do they?). The advice this site gives has always been responsible advice, and I for one appreciate the time and work spent doing this. No I'm not sucking up, but one thing I have learnt is, try doing this research yourself, and see what you come up with. Also if it is such a bad site, why bother with it! Just stay away.

TRAVELMAN_2

Hello,

Thanks (cheques in the post!).

I've always been fascinated with 'getting the ultimate deal' (sad I know!) & have been 'packaging' for my customers for 4 years. It's now popular with Independant Agents (the multiples in the high Street as far as I'm aware don't do this), the Industry buzzword being 'dynamic packaging'.

Without going on about ATOL (see my previous posts) by doing the 'DIY' through a specialist who has an ATOL licence the risk is minimised. The customer is goverened by the travel Agents terms & conditions & not for example ryanairs terms or the separate terms on the Hotel booking website.

So...if Ryanair for example cancelled a flight, it's no longer Ryanair's terms & conditions that apply to you BUT THE AGENTS. So it's their responsibility both financially & ethically to sort their customers out.

Also-& this is the big one-THE HOTEL RATES ATOL AGENTS GET ARE CHEAPER THAN THOSE ON THE WEB. So, it will cost the same with full protection!

& before anyone jumps on this & says 'it's an advert' I'm just clarifying the points made earlier. If I get an enquiry for a family deal say for June, it'll take me an hour to check ALL things (& I know where to look straight away!) so for most people to DIY it will take a lot longer, be more risky,,,,etc

Budgetflyer is an absolute expert at this-he's even published an e-book on it! I wholeheartedly endorse his statements that the high street 'rip you off' in terms of price!

Here's an example.....check out Ryanairs flights to Trieste from Stansted. Look at https://www.medhotels.com at the Istrian Riviera in Croatia. Add the 2 together. We can do the same but as we get 7% off the published medhotels rate this goes towards our commision on the flight. See how cheap it is this way-then check some Tour Operator prices...you will be SHOCKED at how much cheaper it is to do it this way.

Chris

Lara

Hi Travelman

Please could you help? I'm looking for a flight for one person to NY.

Departure: Thursday 26th May

Return: Tuesday 31 May

Many thanks:)

Lara

TRAVELMAN_2

Lara-long haul flight only ain't my speciality I'm afraid! You may get some other replies on here-or try https://www.cheapestflights.co.uk.

Sorry ! If you wanted a Short-Haul deal I'm your man.

Chris

Lara

Thanks. I have checked them out and the cheapest appears to be around £350. Son is going to stay with friends in NY so no accommodation required. Shall continue to browse ( :) ) but thanks anyway for replying so fast!

saveapenny

Budget flyer, I am not a travel agent all I do is try and help out and I enjoy the hunt for a good bargain.
High street agents area waste of time and money they have hardly any product knowledge where as guys like Chris have often been in the trade years beacuase you can not work from home unless you have several ABTA years experience (apart from one company which is the one I hope to join ) I have never used Chris but the advice he offers is always sound and fair and if he would have been the guy who would have picked up the phone years ago I would still be using him now instead of Cheryl
I use a couple of different agents depending on the type of
holiday I am looking for.
1 is one of Chris's collegues and although the guys and gals the work for the said company are excellent I am sure that Chris will agree the Head Offfice is next to useless.
I am looking to become a Travel Agent in the near future I have ABTAC, British Airways' fares and ticketing levels one and two , But for now I am enjoying treaveling to much to work

Sorry for going on
Happy bargain hunting

gatita

Hello There, I would like to book 14 days at the Magnolia bungalows Gran Canarias, (Maspalomas) dates 10th October onwards. for 2 adults.
Flights..........I live in the S. West so Exeter would be fantastic:j but I suspect very expensive, so we will be prepared to travel to another airport.
Can you help on any of these please? I would be very grateful.
Thank you

mbosys

Hi there TravelMan, can you help

Looking for best price on my honeymoon this year.

Looking at Mauritius/dubai 14 + 3 days/ 10 + 3 days, Half Board/All inclusive, first class air fare (may be business class), 2 adults 1 X double room.

We would like 2-2.5 weeks Starting from 28/8/05 must be back by 18/9/05
(flexible around these dates- would like 2 weeks in Mauritius in a 5* deluxe hotel and a comfortable flight. and maybe a possible stopover for 3 days in dubai, unless it would add lots to the cost)

What do you think? Can you come up with anything good?

Rgs
Mark

saveapenny

Mbosys search the site for the Mauritius thread there where some excellent deals for 5* hotel traveling 1st class.
but these are good http://www.mercury-direct.co.uk/mercury/