Does anyone use travel agents anymore?

[TheBlonde]

Are there any benefits?
Or does everyone just book direct online these days?

Nope! Have not used a travel agent in about 15 years. I have always found that they charge more than me booking flights and hotel myself. Plus if there is a trip I want to go on, I book that myself too either before I go or when I get there. Again much cheaper than through your rep. Remember TA's are there to make a profit and that profit comes from you.

Also, I think it is quite daunting booking yourself for the first time but when you have and you make a saving you'll never look back.

thanks, we normally book everything direct but it is very time consuming

It can be. I enjoy it so it doesn't really both me but this will probably change when DS arrives!

Have fun planning whatever you decide!

Haven't used a travel agent for a while although I sometimes go to an independnt one locally if I can't find the flight home i want. Sometimes they can get access to information and booking that we can't. Occasionally this has worked for me but more often do it myself.

My in-laws do as they are too incompetent to do it on line. I offer to do it for them but they seem to like being ripped of just for the nice itineraries with photos the travel agent give them

(have offered to do that too!)

Depends on what you're doing I think and how much flexibility you have.

Travelled to Oz early this year and after a ring around of the budget travel agents found them more competitive pricewise than online for last minute flights. Went to PNG a few yrs back and even though we had friends in Moresby it was next to impossible to visit without the help of an agent.

Definitely more fun organising it yourself - that's when the holiday starts isn't it?