Travel agent v expedia

[PerkyOchrePeer]

Im booking a holiday for March through my travel agent. They want full payment 2 months before departure. Someone o know who books online says she can oY 2 weeks before she goes. Why do travel agents want payment so far in advance

Probably that means 2 weeks if the booking is only made 2 weeks before departure.
Tour operators usually want full payment 6-8 weeks before departure.
I think the last time I used a travel agent was last century !

It's not true that you only have to pay online travel agencies like Expedia two weeks in advance, unless you only book two weeks before your trip. Usually you prepay at time of booking.

Lots of people still use travel agents. My localtravel agent is always packed with people making bookings

As an alternative, you could book and pay for your flights now. Then search on line agents (other on line travel agents are available 😀; do a price comparison), book your accommodation using the “pay at property” and “free cancellation” filters.

That way you are only paying for your flights up front and pay for the hotel/apartment/studio when you arrive. If you do this, unless you already have it, buy travel insurance the same day you book your flight. Then you are covered for being unable to travel due to serious illness, another pandemic etc.

But if you booked direct with the airline you'd have to pay there and then. I think BA will 'hold' bookings for 24 hours for £10 but then you have to pay.
Just pay and if you can't do that you can't afford to go!

It’s true you are paying up front for the flight (often the cheaper part within mainland Europe) , but you have flexibility and pay later for the accommodation.