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+--- Thread: Travel agent question (/showthread.php?tid=5439)
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Travel agent question - StillHope - 03-25-2009
Our family have been using an agent for tickets to Hawaii for years.
Someone who has this as a side business.Just someone one of us knew.No questions asked.
Now when I have to use United ,the most expensive flight to Hawaii
(sometimes twice as much - I've already posted about it) -LAX -Kona,
I'd really like to know if an agent can save you money,or it's just saving time ?
I have plenty of time (several months ).
Note : At this time I don't need a reference to an agent,
just general idea if an agent can actually save you money if a choice of flight is limited to one
RE: Travel agent question - Youser - 03-25-2009
I call local agents and then go check the internet to get the cheapest flight.
www.expdia.com is great.
One thing I like about Mr Internet is you can ask him for as many combinations, permutations and changes of itineraries as you want. Your typical agent gets bored and annoyed after 5 minutes of you asking him to consider different options and will say "No sir, those are the only options for what you require" just to get your business and get you off the phone, even though the price is not the lowest. You can be as wishy-washy and demanding as you want with Mr. Internet and he never gets mad.
RE: Travel agent question - StillHope - 03-25-2009
Couldn't agree more.
RE: Travel agent question - JerryCarr - 03-25-2009
Unless you are doing something really complicated like multiple stopovers or obscure routings, you can probably do just as well for yourself. Websites like travelocity.com, expedia.com, and orbitz.com are easy to use and will give you most of the ordinary options you need to get to the islands. One website, yapta.com, is a bit more complicated but will track pricing on a route and email you when the price drops.
Also, it is often less expensive to do a connection into Hilo via Honolulu than to fly directly to Kona. You also avoid the two-hour drive from Kona to Puna by doing this.
Having said all that, a good travel agent can sometimes find options or specials that the lay person may not be able to find. Most agents these days charge fees, but your family friend may not. I suggest seeing what you come up with on your own first.
Cheers,
Jerry
RE: Travel agent question - Johnnycake - 03-25-2009
If you've got the time the INTERNET is your best bet..Try www.kayak.com this site is great because it has all the other websites combined.
RE: Travel agent question - macuu222 - 03-25-2009
If your just speaking about airfare....you can do better than any travel agent. Nowadays the best fares are taken right off the net. Calling the airlines to book or going through a travel agent cost you more. Just know what airlines serve your origin and destination cities. Not all flights going direct to the big island are cheaper than flying to Honolulu and then taking an inter-island connection...especially now with 3 competing inter-island carriers. The Honolulu market is huge and very competitive which translates to deeply discounted fares at many times throughout the year.
Best advice is buy your Honolulu roundtrip and then your inter-island connection.
RE: Travel agent question - StillHope - 03-25-2009
Thank you,Jerry Jonnycake and Macuu.
A while ago I tried all of the above mentioned websites (except yapta - never heard of it).
Unfortunately ,my only flight option will remain the same because of my dog.
I'll drive to LA and from Kona to Puna just that he can have only one horrible experience.
And Kona Vet services (direct release) has an agreement with United only.
RE: Travel agent question - Guest - 03-25-2009
Jerry...
Curious how you heard of Yapta?
It was started by my Highschool Classmate, Bret Alsop and is currently administered by a longtime friend of the family out of Bellingham, Washington.
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FBI Blogs
RE: Travel agent question - StillHope - 03-25-2009
Interesting.Just checked Yapta - about $300 less than United.
Too good to be true?
Though seems like a reputable site:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008905431_btinterface23.html
RE: Travel agent question - JerryCarr - 03-25-2009
Damon, yapta.com is well known among frequent flyers. I think a former business associate told me about it shortly after its inception. BTW, I have a dear cousin (and friend) who lives in Bellingham and keeps bugging me to visit.
Cheers,
Jerry