I got screwed over by a Travel Agent

zagfles

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Travel agents are dishonest and I can almost guarantee you, that if you have booked a holiday through one; You have been more than likely been ripped off.

It is NEVER cheaper to book a flight through a TA UNLESS it is a charter airline. That rules out every major EU airline, every US airline every Middle Eastern Airline, and every major Asian airline and every budget airline on earth.

Look on flythomascook before committing to anything with Thomas Cook.

Transfers - Some offer free transfers, for those that don't you should check the price of public transport or taxis. For example, fly into Dalaman in Turkey and pay up to £25 each for transfers. The public bus is about 50 pence.

Visa Scams - Most TA's will offer a visa service where you will be ripped off. Other than places where you need an invitation (Russia, Vietnam for VOA) they can't get the visa any cheaper or quicker than you can.

Sitting together - Airlines are obliged to sit small children with adults. If you aren't, simply ask a stewardess to move you. If your teens aren't sat with you - Bonus.

READ just how many people get ripped off by travel agents on here, going bust, changing accommodation, it not being what expected etc etc etc etc the list is endless.

Increased price - TA's can increase the price at any point after the sale. This is woven into the Terms and you can't do anything about it. Before the sale they can raise it as much, or for whatever reason they like as before a contract there is simply an invitation to treat. Kings of this are Teletext Holidays who I am told has never once sold a holiday at the price it was at.

So what are the alternatives?

Search Skyscanner, kayak and ITA Matrix for flights.

Book accommodation through Booking.com or Agoda in Asia.

ALWAYS check the price direct with the airline.

Now, if people that have been ripped off would post the link to their issue in this thread we might get a bit of momentum and the TA's that continue to pray on the naive might actually get called out.

*Note* There are rare occasions where TA's offer the best price, usually the holidays are long haul last minute. i.e Cancun, Florida etc.

Don't forget trying to sell you currency at a rip-off rate, or some money card with rip-off charges, or insurance at a silly price...

tomtontom

zagfles wrote: »

Err, the hotel, the airline, the local police... If things go wrong having a middleman will more likely complicate things and create a p**sing contest...

I had several friends stuck overseas during the Eyjafalalalala debacle, and those who booked through high street agents had a far better experience than independent travellers. The hotels couldn't care less, all they did was offer rooms at increased rates, and trying to get through to the airline by phone was near impossible. Conversely those that booked through agents were sorted in one phone call.

I am an independent traveller, haven't used an agent in years, but they certainly have a place in times of disruption.

PeacefulWaters

Most travel agents are chains owned by tour companies. Even those that aren't are geared up for profit by economies of scale and a range of over-priced product cross-sales.

Not totally dis-similar to banks selling investments. They utilised their distribution capability, overlaid expensive products (often their own) and rolled them out to the masses.

Travel agents have their place. They provide face to face service and can help guide individuals to a holiday destination that is most suitable. Do they always? No. Do they usually? Yes.

My travel horizons have broadened in recent years and it's rare that I will us a high street travel agent. I certainly wouldn't use them for insurance, currency or flight only arrangements.

But sometimes they will have the best price for a bucket and spade package on the Costa Packet and if I want a hassle free sun bed holiday they'll usually be there or thereabouts.

But I would urge all those who only ever use a travel agent to broaden their horizons and try to DIY their next holiday. They might be surprised at how much they enjoy it as well as how much they could save with a little bit of imagination.

roonaldo

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Now run along and book a week in Benidorm.

LOL, you dont know me so what a stupid thing to say, never been there or a Linekers bar in my life.

roonaldo

zagfles wrote: »

Don't forget trying to sell you currency at a rip-off rate, or some money card with rip-off charges, or insurance at a silly price...

You could always say no!

Mr_Wang

roonaldo wrote: »

LOL, you dont know me so what a stupid thing to say, never been there or a Linekers bar in my life.

I don't even know what a Linekars bar is :cool:

But when you wade into something you clearly know nothing about proclaiming everything to be rubbish - You have to expect that people think you are a jumped up little chav headed to Ibiza on an 18 - 30 this summer.

You will notice that those well traveled (and experienced) amongst us disagreed or agreed and then actually added substance by offering reasoning. Perhaps in future you could try that angle.

roonaldo

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I don't even know what a Linekars bar is :cool:

a trashy bar, just famous for being naff. brits abroad type place.

But when you wade into something you clearly know nothing about proclaiming everything to be rubbish

I do actually, have spent 10 years in the travel industry until I left it.

- You have to expect that people think you are a jumped up little chav headed to Ibiza on an 18 - 30 this summer.

How? I'm not the one coming on the internet trash talking that all travel agents are rip off. Never been on a club 18-30 holiday in my life and far too old for it now. How on earth do you think I'm a chav? I have yet to say "init", you have seen no pictures of me wearing Burberry baseball caps and I certainly dont drive a small hot hatch.

You will notice that those well traveled (and experienced) amongst us disagreed or agreed and then actually added substance by offering reasoning. Perhaps in future you could try that angle.

Then you should know better, I've seen your blog and you seem like an intelligent well traveled individual, but come here and make slanderous stupid comments that "all travel agents rip you off" which I take offense to. I was telling you you need to add some substance and reasoning. Grow up and stop being aggressive with people.

Perhaps should should break down what the issues are and name and shame those that you feel have ripped you off instead of tainting everyone with the same brush.

zagfles

tomtontom wrote: »

I had several friends stuck overseas during the Eyjafalalalala debacle, and those who booked through high street agents had a far better experience than independent travellers. The hotels couldn't care less, all they did was offer rooms at increased rates, and trying to get through to the airline by phone was near impossible. Conversely those that booked through agents were sorted in one phone call.

I am an independent traveller, haven't used an agent in years, but they certainly have a place in times of disruption.

I've encountered all sorts of problems travelling and generally found people very helpful, including hotels. Last big holiday we couldn't get to the hotel we'd booked (non refundable) due to snow, the hotel cancelled for free even though they didn't have to, and suggested an excellent hotel local to where we were.

On the other hand, I've been stood in in a checkin queue at a hotel behind someone whinging about some aspect of the hotel that wasn't what he booked, and all he got was "you'll have to take it up with the travel agent, you didn't book with us", and have heard similar stories about people trying to get flights changed, airline won't do it if you booked with a TA, so needing expensive international calls at silly times accounting for time zones etc and having to wait till the only person who understood the system was in, and getting called back at 3am etc...

zagfles

roonaldo wrote: »

You could always say no!

Indeed, that seems to be the OP's point. Say no to travel agents.

rustyboy21

Mr Wang.


I have seen a number of your posts on this site and in general, they are informative and have helped people out.

However on this thread you are coming over as a bit of a Snob. Anyone who puts an alternative view to yours is unintelligent, a chav and Thinks going to Benidorm is Long Haul.

There are good and bad businesses to deal with in all sectors. The amount of posts on here from people who have been shafted by internet TA's, booking long haul tickets and then them not materialising is quite high. Same for people booking short haul holidays and not getting looked after, or no hotels booked on arrival is quite usual.

Do the legwork first, find what you want , for the days you wish to go and shop around for the best deals. If you are happy with what you are offered, then book it. Whether it is Direct, Internet TA, Airline holidays, or TA.

I have a niece who owns her own high class TA with some of her friends, who all worked together for Airtours, before they went bump. She specialises in high end, 5+ star hotels, books private aircraft to get there and accompanies some clients to far flung places in the world. She goes 1 week in the month abroad to visit hotels, that have come to HER, to be recommended. She gets Gold watches, Electronic gadgets and Gift cards from top end shops as thank you's from her clients.

If you want, I can pass your details onto her, It looks like the only TA that you may deal with.