7 trips you should never book online
The internet has completely changed the way we book travel. But should you always go it alone?
1. Cruising
It’s the fastest growing travel market and more than one million Australians took a cruise last year. And most of them booked through a travel agent. Why? Because cruising can be really confusing. An agent can guide you through the right kind of ship for you, help you choose the best cabin and explain all the inclusions in your fare. You don’t want to end up stuck on a ship you hate for two weeks. Plus they can often get you little extras, like a nice bottle of wine in your cabin for sailaway.
2. Group travel
Trying to coordinate a large group of people into the one holiday can be, in short, a nightmare. So let someone else do it for you. A travel agent will be able to collate everyone’s needs and find the best option within your budget. They also allow you to be more flexible when someone (inevitably) wants to make a change.
3. Special occasion
It’s your birthday/retirement/anniversary, so why do you want to do all the hard work? This is one time when you want to sit back and be taken care of. Give your travel agent the general details and then wait for your itinerary. An experienced agent will also be able to recommend any special, exclusive experiences for the big day that you wouldn’t be able to find yourself.
4. Round the world
The more stops there are in your trip, the more things there are that can go wrong. If you need to book a multi-stop round the world ticket then go with a professional. They will be able to work out the best route and can save you from making any rookie mistakes that will add time and money to your journey.
5. Exotic places
Here’s a good rule of thumb for travel: if you can’t pronounce it then you probably shouldn’t book it on your own. Exotic destinations are fantastic experiences and not to be missed, but they often lag behind more middle-of-the-road destinations in terms of technology and infrastructure. An agent will be able to organise an airport transfer to a hotel that actually exists and get you an expert local tour guide. Leave that ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ stuff to the teenage backpackers.
6. If you need special assistance
Travellers with mobility problems or any special needs are always advised to go through an agent. They will be able to guarantee that you have an airplane seat or hotel room that meets your needs, and that the right people are waiting to assist you.
7. If you’re unsure of the internet
This is the most obvious one. If you don’t like the internet or aren’t sure how to use it, don’t book. You could make a very costly mistake that can’t be undone. Travel agents are there to walk you through it all and will almost always be able to get you a price as good – if not better – than you can find yourself.
Have you ever booked a trip entirely online, or do you generally go to a travel agent? What method do you think you prefer? Let us know in the comments.
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