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- Clever travel
- 1. Are online providers cheaper than travel agencies?
- 2. Online travel agencies: are they faster and cheaper for flight bookings?
- 3. Are travel agencies receiving commissions for successful travel agencies?
- 4. Which booking method brings which advantage for me?
- Personal advice
- Individual travel & well-known resorts
- 5. Holiday based on bonus programs
- 6. At what times are travel bookings the cheapest?
- months
- days
- 7. Flexibility pays off
Clever travel
Travel agents are often a good source for cheap flights, have experience with hotels and local conditions. That's why many of us still hire their trusted travel agency to book their long-awaited vacation . But now there are also more and more online providers that seem cheaper and more convenient to reach from home. So what's better - travel agency or online platform? Who costs more? What should you pay attention to? We asked our Travelzoo travel expert Tim Holzapfel.
1. Are online providers cheaper than travel agencies?
Whether online or offline on site - with package travel, prices hardly vary. Because all providers receive their travel offers from the same data pools, which in turn are fed directly with the offers of tour operators and airlines.
Whether catalog or daily updated price levels - the data pools make it possible that you can compare with your travel agency or even comfortably from home currently hundreds of organizers and book the best vacation for themselves.
Offers favorably priced by tour operators such as TUI, Thomas Cook or FTI to attract attention are also reflected on all online platforms.
According to Tim Holzapfel, travel expert at Travelzoo, the only drawback for the travel enthusiast is that it is not clear how many places are behind an offer. Therefore, he recommends not to wait too long for such offers.
2. Online travel agencies: are they faster and cheaper for flight bookings?
Again, you should take a closer look. Online travel agencies such as ltur.com, Expedia.de or Opodo.de are specialized in package holidays. Metasearch engines such as billigflieger.de, fly.com or skyscanner.com determine the best fares by searching hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies for available and cheap flights. For every search, all information is requested again. The booking will be made directly on the website of the provider. So it does not always have to be fast and cheap on the net. In any case, the local travel agency has the advantage that it also specializes in flight search.
Our travel expert advises when making an online booking to ensure that no unwelcome additional costs. Costs for additional luggage, seat reservations, insurance, transfer or certain types of payment - all this can occur. You should definitely look at the final price before you book your holiday . Only what is expressly desired should be marked on the booking overview.
3. Are travel agencies receiving commissions for successful travel agencies?
For stationary as well as for online travel agencies, there is a commission from the organizer in case of successful mediation of a trip. It is between 10 and 15 percent. For flight price comparisons, the flight search engine often only receives one price per click or per booking.
4. Which booking method brings which advantage for me?
Personal advice
If you prefer a personal consultation, it's worth booking at the travel agency. The mediators are specialists who are familiar with the target areas, the local conditions and any difficulties that may arise. In addition, if a problem arises during the holiday, you have a personal contact, which can often achieve more through its network than a hotline staff of an online provider. Although these also have the helpful service, it may not be in the frame you want or need.
Individual travel & well-known resorts
Tourists who want to travel individually or travel to the same place for years, should know the Travelzoo travel expert Tim Holzapfel on the Internet. Rental cars, hotel and flights can be booked from the comfort of your own home. In addition, you can get in advance a lot of advice and inspiration for your destination from the net.
5. Holiday based on bonus programs
Large airlines and hotels offer so-called bonus programs for their customers, which can be quite worthwhile. As a rule, the booking of a package holiday is cheaper than an individually arranged holiday, which is geared exclusively to bonus programs.
6. At what times are travel bookings the cheapest?
months
January is still the busiest month as the early bird deadlines with the highest discounts for the summer season expire at the end of January.
days
You may already have noticed and now it is confirmed to us: For flights, the weekend is usually more expensive than a weekday.
7. Flexibility pays off
If you are flexible with regard to the departure date and destination, you can also book at short notice and hope for favorable offers. However, good offers should be accessed quickly. Because often these are remainders that are quickly sold out. Travel prices change daily.
For all travel interested, which are dependent on the school holidays, among other things, it can be financially worthwhile to search surrounding airports for cheaper offers. However, the transfer costs must be included here.
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