How do you book your travel?

[Hidden_Mickey]

Agent? Online? Expedia? AAA?

I usually use Expedia to do research, but once I find what I want I generally book with the airline or hotel directly. Having a middle man freaks me out! I like to have control over my reservations. I want to know that I can call the hotel or airline directly with any problems and not worry about getting stuck in cyber reservation limbo, especially once I'm on the trip and may not have internet access.

I am in the process of planning a trip to Yellowstone for next summer. The big picture is all set but now the details... I'm starting to wonder if it would be easier to have an agent or do it all through Expedia or AAA.

 

[laurie31]

I book with whoever is cheapest. Sometimes that's orbitz, and sometimes it's the airline's own website. Orbitz has an amazing low price guarantee, though. I may use them next time, regardless.

As for Yellowstone, Xanterra has the only lodging in the park, and back when we went (2005) I don't think you could book online. I remember calling. And doing it 12 months out and STILL not getting our first choice of rooms. So if you're planning for next summer and you want to stay in the park, you need to book ASAP!

We absolutely loved Yellowstone, btw. We're dying to go back!

 

[NHdisneylover]

For most things I plan and book everything myself (with lots if internet research). I even end up plannning and booking vacations for most of our extended family Sad thing is I enjoy it. For Disney (and Disney cruise line--and other cruise lines for that matter) I have an amazing travel agent who will do things like get up in the middle of the night to book my dining for me, etc. so I always use her for that extra service

 

[bama106]

We usually go through a travel agent for any cash Disney trips or any trips that require a flight and/or car rental. By using a TA, it takes a lot of stress away from us and we can just concentrate on having a good time.

 

[Rora]

I typically book things myself using the internet (or by calling Disney or DCL). Typically that's the cheapest way that I've found.

I have no use for an agent- I can do all that stuff myself, IMO.

 

[MIGrandma]

I love doing research on-line for vacations, and I always book everything myself. I book cruises by phone directly with the cruise line, I book airfare on-line at the airline's web site, same with rental cars and hotels. My Disney trip last March I called to book it from Disney's web site. Renting a cabin in Tennessee I booked it on-line at the web site, then called to make final payment as I had some other questions.

The only time we have ever used a TA was for our very first cruise, but looking back on it I could have saved $$ if I would have just booked everything myself.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

I book with whoever is cheapest. Sometimes that's orbitz, and sometimes it's the airline's own website. Orbitz has an amazing low price guarantee, though. I may use them next time, regardless.

As for Yellowstone, Xanterra has the only lodging in the park, and back when we went (2005) I don't think you could book online. I remember calling. And doing it 12 months out and STILL not getting our first choice of rooms. So if you're planning for next summer and you want to stay in the park, you need to book ASAP!

We absolutely loved Yellowstone, btw. We're dying to go back!

We are going in July, and we booked our hotels this past June! We still have to book airfare though, and make the car rental reservation.

 

[Silent1CB]

I book everything myself, online, and directly with the hotels or airlines. I learned during 9/11, that having third parties involved like priceline or expedia, really makes things tough in the event of an emergency. Personal or national.

 

[C.Ann]

I do everything myself - the majority online..

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I use kayak.com for the rates and options on airfare, car rentals and hotels. I use trip advisor and Yelp to rank the hotels and look for restaurants, movie theaters etc.

I book wherever Kayak says is the cheapest place to book, if it's personal. (If it's for business, I have to use our contracted travel agent.)

 

[laurie31]

We are going in July, and we booked our hotels this past June! We still have to book airfare though, and make the car rental reservation.

Oh good! You will have an amazing time!! I highly recommend the book Yellowstone Treasures by Janel Chappel btw, if you're looking for a good guidebook.

As for air, I would keep checking Kayak, and book where ever you can get the best price. I think for cars, I just check the websites of the individual car rental places, and once again, the best price wins. Most of the major online air search sites will track your trip, so you can put in your dates and it will email you when the price goes below the threshhold you choose.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Oh good! You will have an amazing time!! I highly recommend the book Yellowstone Treasures by Janel Chappel btw, if you're looking for a good guidebook.

As for air, I would keep checking Kayak, and book where ever you can get the best price. I think for cars, I just check the websites of the individual car rental places, and once again, the best price wins. Most of the major online air search sites will track your trip, so you can put in your dates and it will email you when the price goes below the threshhold you choose.

Already bought it, lol.