Great 'Travel agents, what are your insider tips' Hunt

MSE_Martin

Following the success of the ‘work in a bank, what we should know’ and 'supermarket staff, tell us your reduction policy' hunts, I want to ask travel agents for their insider tips.

What’s the best way to haggle prices and how much leeway do you have? What’s the optimum time in advance to book flights and packages? How can you take advantage of “we aim to beat any quote” promises? What else should we know?

Please post below to share your top tips.

nikkinoodle_2

Hi everyone, i wanted to share my insider knowledge with you all ..

Best time to book ... The cheapest time to book your holidays is usually straight after Christmas, through to January and February. The best discounts are offered in these months and it's also the start of new campaigns

Late deals ... The cheapest ones are always allocated on arrival, these are holidays where you don't know where you will be staying until you reach your destination airport. Best to book within 4-5 weeks of travel and then you won't be landed with the ticket on departure charges which can be anything up to an extra £30 per booking

Booking early ... Only good for the taking advantage of low deposits and having more of a choice where you want to go, don't listen to any travel agent that tells you that the cheapest time to book is when the first edition brochures come out because these are usually at full brochure price with no discounts. If you want to book early the wait until the 2nd edition brochures come out (about 3 months after the 1st is launched) there is more choice and the prices tend to be better.

Cheapest months ... Always May and October in summer, mid December (excluding Christmas and new year) through to January. As you probably all know not in school holidays.

If you have to go in school hols ... If it is possible try and go a couple of days before the holidays start or to return a couple of days into the new term. 2 weeks at the end of August is usually the same price if not cheaper than a week

Discounts ... Under the counter discounts which are there to close a sale, don't be fooled by someone offering you "free car parking" or "free insurance" the chances are they're using the under counter discount which is more money you could getting off your holiday.

Extra charges ... Some tour operators are charging extra for 5kg's of luggage, flight meals, transfers, charity donations etc. These can all be removed from the total costing. Ask for a breakdown of the charges as these can add up to an extra £60 on your booking

Gazetteer ... This is a travel agents bible and gives an honest and independant review on the accomodation and resort you are being offered, ask to read it as the reviews are usually a far cry from the glossy brochure descriptions

Price matching ... Make sure you bring in a printed quote, also make sure you get the quote on the same day, if it is a couple of days old then it will more often than not be rejected

Above all, be nice!!! ... The nicer you are to us, the more generous we will be with you