Online Travel Agents

Savvy-SS

Hi all,

New here. Just wanted to enquire has anyone dealt with these companies. Finding good deals for flights for 2014 and they all have ATOL number. Much cheaper than other known online sites.

comefli.com
cheapticket.co.uk
flyandsave.co.uk

Thank you in advance.

Moto2

The first words that pop into my head when I read your list is barge pole

richardw

Who are they?

lea2012

Quick google and the first thing that comes up is this:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k3771875-Flightcatchers_comefli-Air_Travel.html

Doesn't look good, although I haven't read it all to be honest. I would avoid.

Lincoln_Imp

richardw wrote: »

Who are they?

Never heard of any of them or seen them mentioned on here which tells you something

Obviously_the_best

Book directly with the airline in question. Always.

Savvy-SS

Thank you all for your response.

Yea, comefli I wasn't convinced by. Could perhaps some of you help me understand in regards to ATOL.

I researched all the sites mentioned above via the ATOL check site (caa.co.uk).

Comefli: I wasn't convinced by (via initial google search plus they don't write the ATOL No. on their site).

Flyandsave: Have a ATOL No. which I checked and was verified.

Cheapticket: Have a ATOL No. again which I checked and was verified. They are also "backed" by a known reputable travel agency and both the reputable travel agent and cheapticket share the same ATOL No. Though, checking for the flights there is a couple of hundred pound difference between the two agency.

What does the ATOL No. represent and if companies have these does this protect me in my purchase? Is there anything else that I should be looking at that I should be alerted about and would note protection in purchasing?

Thank you in advance

bagand96

ATOL is a government protection scheme for package travel companies. The agents put down a bond with ATOL which protects their customers in the event that they go bust. ATOL will refund customers money or get them home if they are stranded overseas.

ATOL ONLY offers protection for a package deal if you buy flights and another holiday element such as car hire or hotels. If you buy flights only you won't be covered.

Anyway the more pertinent questions....

Where are you flying to?
Who is the airline?
How much cheaper are these agents than the airline direct?

Doshwaster

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

Book directly with the airline in question. Always.

The only exception to this is when I book a flight+hotel deal through a reputable third party such as Expedia. I wouldn't dream of booking with a site that I had never heard of.

platterfish

If the sites are significantly different they may not have a live booking system and be displaying older prices. These may rise on checkout or you will get the call saying its gone up we can't offer that price as it as gone. And as above, always book with the airline directly, to avoid any problems, third party terms and conditions/amendment fees etc

Alan_Bowen

ATOL not only protects package holidays anymore. It also offers financial protection for a flight only purchase if the ticket isn't issued on the same day you pay for it, so if you just paid a deposit for example and ATOL also protects your money if you buy a flight and accommodation around the same time from the same agent, even if it isn't a package. Some agents have special non published fares for specific destinations so it can be cheaper than booking direct with the airline, but as others have said, these are not those agents!