UK trip - Advantages of a travel agent?

• 

  Hybroid on 15/02/2022 - 13:19

  +5

  Nothing. Book it yourself making sure to read all the T&Cs and fees for changes/cancellations.

  COVID is a non-issue in the UK nowadays, it's life as per normal. Vast majority aren't even wearing masks anymore.

  • 

    toomuchdogfur on 15/02/2022 - 15:10

    +2

    If anything its a detriment - you won't notice a difference if everything goes smoothly. But the moment you need help, prepare to be bounced between the agent and the airline in an endless loop. Agent continuously tries to push blame on the airline; airline says they can't help you as technically the agent is their customer. Countless horror stories are abound around travel agents stalling refunds during COVID - in my case, thankfully my CC provider had my back and forcefully pulled the money back from the agent.

    Just look up the flights using Google Flights and book with the best airline directly.

    From what I understand, if a flight is missed due to delay etc, it's the airlines responsibility to get you on another flight to your destination.

    If you book both flights on the same airline then they will usually help you.

• 

  GG57 on 15/02/2022 - 13:19

  +3

  If it is only flights you are booking, I wouldn't bother with a travel agent.

  If you had an itinerary that included multiple accommodations, tours, etc., then it may help to book through one entity.

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  Marty-69 on 15/02/2022 - 13:38

  +1

  Do you fly with Qatar? Last year I flew with them to Europe and changed my flight 3 times (last minute) without any issues. Just make sure all flights are under one booking so they know about your connecting flights.

  I've booked through Flight Center once, big mistake. I called the airline (Emirates) to make a change but since I booked with FC, Emirates couldn't (or wouldn't) help me. I couldn't get hold of FC as it was 2 am local time. No added value, only added cost and less flexible.

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  FSTB on 15/02/2022 - 14:56

  Yes, I would say a travel agent would have been pretty much essential this time last year with all the uncertainty/lockdown/quarantine etc etc, and while things definitely aren't back to how they are, it does feel like we're begining to learn to live with this.

  A travel agent has never been essential, this is an old school way of thinking. All this information is freely avaliable on various government websites. It's not hard to find if you look. They don't have access to secret information which the average person doesn't. They were popular when the majority of households didn't have a home internet connection.

  Book the flights online yourself. Travel agent imposes extra terms and conditions on top of the airline and sometimes additional fees.

• 

  Drakesy on 15/02/2022 - 16:16

  Added delays to your refund process? If it all goes tits up
  Oh wait, thats a disadvantage…

  I did have a time when all my connecting flights out of India were cancelled which resulted me in being stuck in delhi (can't get back into an airport without a valid itinerary there).
  Called up my travel agent - 2am in the morning in WA - 3am in SA.
  Was connected and rebooked in less than 30 minutes with a $400 out of pocked that i claimed back with travel insurance. Just depends how risk adverse you are and if you're willing to pay a premium for your tickets.

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  88mph on 15/02/2022 - 21:19

  +1

  In the post Covid world, always try to book direct with airline. Most airlines have flexible policies, easier to deal with directly. However some of the big carriers have horrendous on hold times, and poorly trained or overstressed call centre staff. Before booking, just call their customer service line during business hours and see how long it takes to connect and ask a few random questions to gauge how they might treat you if this was a genuine issue. I travel to the UK every few years (admittedly not since Covid), and have a suggestion.

  I know the default setting is to book one of the 3 big ME airlines or Qantas, but just try Japan Airlines or KLM for a change… Probably a few hours extra transit, but the in-flight and phone customer service is amazing when needed. p.s KLM only fly up to Singapore, but codeshare on SQ to MEL.