Airline reservations through travel agent or online?

[disneydreamerinny]

How do you all book your airfair?
Do you book right through the airline you want to use, or do you use a travel agent.
I've booked right online both times, but I'm wondering if a travel agent can find better deals.
thanks

 

[ErinInCT]

What's a travel agent????
I always book online. Booked Southwest & airfare went down & they gave me a refund!! But, I am an obsessive planner & enjoy it! I check practically every airline & location (I live near 3 major airports!) for the best deals. I do the same thing for rental cars!

 

[OKW Lover]

I've never found a reason to book air through a TA. I've also never found a reason to use one of the on-line agencies like Travelocity/Expedia/Orbitz other than to easily compare pricing on different lines. I either book directly with the airline by phone or on their web site. Its easy!

 

[klynn]

I am my own best travel agent! I have not used a paid travel agent in years!

 

[NotUrsula]

The airlines no longer pay commission on US domestic tickets, so TA's don't really court the basic airline ticket market much anymore,. Nowadays they usually charge a fee to do a ticket-only transaction. Some TA's will claim they can beat prices offered online, but lately I've only seen that happen at really high demand times, like Thanksgiving, for instance. If you book on the airline's own website, you will usually be able to search out deals that can only be booked if the buyer is going to be travelling.

TA's are best for package bookings or for multi-segment trips that will take you to several places before you return home. They are also a must for 3rd-world travel situations, IMO.

 

[Lewisc]

The discount airlines most of us use to go to Disney, Jet Blue and SW, aren't even found on sites like expedia, don't pay TA commissions and give their best rates if you book directly online.

The only reason to use a TA is if you don't have any time to do it yourself and don't mind paying EXTRA for the services of a TA.