Sunday, November 14, 2010

Use a Travel Agent to Book a Flight

If you're planning to fly out of Heathrow Airport, you have several options for booking your flight. You could rely on a travel agent to arrange your flight, book directly through an airline, or go through Internet booking sites. There are advantages to booking flights with each of these resources, and which one you choose will depend on your preferences and goals.
Booking Flights through Travel Agents
Prior to the development of the Internet travel industry, most People relied on travel agents for the content. People used to look for numerous shop travel agents for business, or are choosing a travel agency based on service, reputation, or the convenience of the Agency's position.
The biggest advantage of booking your flight through a travel agent is convenience. If you're buying a flight from Heathrow to Boston and back and your primary goal is to save money are interested in a travel agent may not be the best choice. But if you can donot only a flight to Boston, but hotel accommodations, too, plus multiple flights and accommodations in other cities in the U.S. as part of a sightseeing vacation, booking through a travel agent makes sense.
Travel agents are paid commissions by airlines when they sell flights, so it is not always in their best interest to net you the cheapest possible flight. Of course, they want your business, too, so most travel agents work hard to try to provide customers with competitive airfares. Generally speaking, you may pay slightly more for your Heathrow flight by booking through a travel agent. But if you are short on time or planning much more than a basic round trip flight, paying slightly more will be worthwhile.
There's another good reason to consider booking your flight with a travel agent when you're planning a vacation. Travel agents are in the know about deals on rental cars, combination hotel accommodation and flight packages and other discount offers that can save you money on your trip. Some travel agents can even provide discounts on admission to tourist attractions in the destinations you plan to visit.
Travel agents are also very familiar with airports around the world, as well as airlines. They are able to spot potential problems and help you avoid them, which can help ensure your flight goes smoothly.
When travelers book their flights themselves online, nobody is there to advise them against a one-hour layover in Airport X when traveling from Heathrow. In reality, it could well be impossible to pass through customs, collect your luggage and travel to your next terminal in only one hour - especially if your flight is delayed and you arrive even a few minutes late.
A good travel agent will take into consideration all the factors that could affect your travel, including the seasons, the airlines you're traveling and the airports you'll pass through in addition to Heathrow. Although there may be no guarantees, if your flights are cancelled or changed by your airline, a travel agent may be much more likely to be able to arrange a suitable alternate flight than you would be able to on your own - especially on short notice.
These are just some of the many advantages of booking your Heathrow flight through a travel agent. If you do decide to book your flight through a travel agency, allow yourself plenty of time to shop around. Read all the "fine print" terms and conditions before you make a commitment to any travel agent, and pay close attention to guarantees and refunds in case you need to change or cancel your flight.


Reference : www.thaisabuy.com

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