Long haul flights - DIY or travel agent?

Dr. Nick

Is it worth using a travel agent for long haul flights (IRL-Australia-Singapore-IRL)?

Do they have any better deals, or access to flights not available online?

If not, do they add commision to the prices we the general public can see online? I mean directly from the airlines, not expedia etc.

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058361155/long-haul-flights-diy-or-travel-agent

Why not ask them for a price and then pricecheck them?

pcasso

Travel agents usually charge a small commission over what you would pay direct to the airline.

I am not sure if they have access to any different flights or fares but they might come up with an alternative route or airline that you hadn't considered.

From experience you usually only need to pay a deposit for flights booked through a travel agent with the balance being paid closer to the departure date. This might suit some people. Booking direct with an airline means full payment up front.

I was overseas when covid hit so was grateful to have a travel agent doing all the rearranging of flights to get us home

endofrainbow

Do a search on Google Flights but book ONLY directly with the airline.

Good travel agents are very hard to find nowadays. Their main interest is selling you a 2 week holiday in Costa del Wherever.

Dr. Nick

Thanks all. I've done plenty of research of flights, both using skyscanner and direct with airlines - I always book direct and haven't used a travel agent for years, just haven't done it for long haul so I'll probably just book direct.

Trailfinders came back to me, charging €400 more than I could do same trip for including a hotel stay in Singapore (same hotel).

I thought maybe a local travel agent might do better than them .

endofrainbow

Unlikely. If Trailfinders can't do it, I certainly wouldn't be looking at local high street agents.

ednwireland

used trailfinders to book my trip round Australia last year, certainly worth it in terms lack of hassle flights, internal flights, tours, hotels, campervan all worked very well. made for an almost fuss free trip. Just depends what you need. for aus it's just such a big place. got to Kuala lumpar 25 years ago and ended up going into a travel agent there to organise a trip. they were fantastic.