Many will turn to the internet again this year, some perhaps for the first time. Some WILL be disappointed in doing so, either before or after the event, so ask yourself these questions, before you start planning and think carefully, before you part with your hard earned cash.
Why is it cheaper to book on line than through you?
A. Yes, it is sometimes cheaper, but not always. Many tour operators now prefer you to book on line as they then own you and your details. They often give you a booking incentive usually by way of an on line discount to do this.
Why can you not offer the same price?
A. Sometimes I can, but on some occasions the tour operator uses the commission it would give to Travel Counsellors to give you this discount. If I were to match the price I would have to give you more than my commission to do this, so I would be making your booking at a loss.
Why do you charge a booking fee to book an air ticket?
A. Airline operators no longer pay Travel Agents a commission, so in order for us to book tickets we must raise a charge to do this. The charge depends on the cost and complexity of the reservation, but it is usually between £30.00 to £50.00 per ticket.
However, Travel Counsellors have negotiated special contracts with most airlines so we are able to offer air tickets cheaper or about the same as if you booked your ticket on line. In this event we do not raise a booking fee.
Why should I book with you and not directly online?
Booking on line is fine so long as you are confident in what you are doing. However, you need to be happy about the answers to these questions before doing so. If you are unsure about any aspect of your journey then you should seek professional advice and avoid booking online.
1. If things go wrong is there a contact number I can call that will offer me a quick and helpful response? Beware hidden phone charges, and try the number to see if you get a response.
2. Is the Company I am booking through covered against financial failure? ATOL is a good cover, but check to make sure the ATOL number actually does belong to the company with whom you are about to give a lot of money to before you do. Travel Counsellors has an ATOL License no 6751. Travel Counsellors also offers our clients a unique financial guarantee against operator failure on top of ATOL so your money is 100% secure. I can provide full details on request.
3. Who do I contact if I need to make a change and how much is it going to cost me?
You need to read the small print of any online booking carefully before confirming a reservation. You need to be sure of what to do if you need to change a reservation, and if you can change it, how much it is going to cost you to do so?
Remember, if you chose to book on line you, and only you, are responsible for the booking and liable if things do not work out how you expect them to.
Every day I hear of some issue or other from people who have gone on line and fallen foul of booking conditions or unscrupulous traders. My list of examples is a long one.
Travel Companies have had a very rough ride through the recent recession and this has left many operators financially weak and liable to take overs, and financial failures if another major catastrophe (recent volcano) were to hit again. The world is a volatile place with wars, political unrest and natural events all playing a role in effecting travel plans.
4. What happens if my flight is cancelled or delayed because of the volcano in Iceland?
A. Many people have their own travel insurance these days. If you are one of those make sure, before you book, they have a clause that will protect you from additional expense in the event of a cancellation or delay to your holiday travel as a result of a natural event such as the volcano. Travel Counsellors were among the first to react to the recent volcano event and have negotiated protection for our customers taking our own insurance against a delay or cancellation to your holiday in the event of an incident out of your control e.g. a natural disaster like the volcano.
You can book online and save yourself a few coppers maybe, but what price would you pay for a reliable professional service, where you can make all your arrangements with one person who has over 35 years of experience in this fantastic industry? With me and Travel Counsellors your money and your holiday is in safe hands. You will always get to talk to the same person – me; unless I am away on holiday myself – not often - and then a close colleague. You will have financial security too, in fact the only real thing we cannot cover for you is the weather.
Before you book your next holiday on line, why not try my own service first, to see if I can get you your dream break at a price that fits your budget. Don’t get caught out this summer like some will. Remember the saying above.
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