Travel newbie - help!

Pollycat

cubegame wrote: »

I'd stay clear of agents at all costs. It's not 1980.

Simpler and cheaper to arrange everything yourself.

Yes, it often is (cheaper).
But as the OP says - he's a newbie who hasn't been abroad for almost 15 years and he may prefer that comfort blanket that using a travel agent gives. Even if he books it all himself on-line.
The OP may not agree that DIY is simpler.

Doshwaster

cubegame wrote: »

I'd stay clear of agents at all costs. It's not 1980.

Simpler and cheaper to arrange everything yourself.

Personally, I agree - booking DIY for me is part of the fun. But if you are an inexperienced/nervous traveller then it can make sense to book a package through your agent so that you hand will be held through out.

Once you've done a couple of package holidays and got some confidence then you'll see how easy it can be to do it yourself and you will soon be planning multi-stop trips around Asia all by yourself.

cubegame

Pollycat wrote: »

Yes, it often is (cheaper).
But as the OP says - he's a newbie who hasn't been abroad for almost 15 years and he may prefer that comfort blanket that using a travel agent gives. Even if he books it all himself on-line.
The OP may not agree that DIY is simpler.

The OP is hoping to head to the Balearics, not the moon........

Nervous/new traveller of not, any issues are likely to be caused by an agent rather than be prevented by using one.

A_New_Start

hollydays wrote: »

Your parents need to get the quotes themselves

Yes naturally wrong wording.

Pollycat

cubegame wrote: »

The OP is hoping to head to the Balearics, not the moon........

I'm well aware of where the OP is heading.
I did read the first post.

cubegame wrote: »

Nervous/new traveller of not, any issues are likely to be caused by an agent rather than be prevented by using one.

I doubt that TUI (or Jet2) will create more issues than a self-confessed 'newbie' would.

I would not recommend the OP use agents such as Teletext, OntheBeach etc.
If you are classing those as agents, then I agree that the OP may find issues created by them.
But one reason I agree is that they don't use live flight prices and often go back to the customer and ask for more money as the flight originally advertised is no longer available.
Another reason is that they use room agents like booking.com, Laterooms etc whereas TUI will have more of a handle on the accommodation they are offering.

I'm not saying the OP will have a 100% trouble-free experience with a 'proper' travel agent.
Just as you can't guarantee him a 100% trouble-free experience if he does DIY.