I was amazed by the results i found a big difference between the prices offered by the travel agents and by booking directly with the hotel company.
This puts the case for need to book using travel agents and tour operators into perspective.
1 phone call to the Hotel Loren in Las Vegas was priced at $65. $65 in Pounds sterling is priced at approximately £32-£35. Ok i know this rate would vary based on the exchange rates and transaction fees.
However multiple searches using online sites showed the price to be in excess of £60 a night per person per room.
So using a travel agency/tour operator for a 10 day stay would cost over £300 more than booking the accomodation directly with the supplier.
The hotels need the capacity to and generally have no specific trade deals with the tour operators. The hotels in the USA are able to take credit card bookings as they need custom, and are safe and usely efficient in dealing with bookings themselves. They would send the customer confirmation via e mail of the booking.
The same search can be applied to hotels in Europe, though the saving would be lower than the USA as the exchange rate is lower £1=1.40 euros.
The receptionists of hotels tend to speak English and have access to computers and internet without question. I find it unusual why so many people use internet searches guides without wanting to mention company names. The cost of the bookings doing it yourself via contacting the hotel directly and using a travel agent is amazing.
The £300 using this tip. would have saved 1 traveller would have been enough to pay for taxis, local transport, a few gifts duty free, food at nice restaurants, and maybe a little more.
As far as flights are concerned ok the travel agents are more aware and on the ball as to finding cheaper flights than people booking direct. Though more often than not, the travel agents will sell a customer a flight £30 for the same flight than using a airline direct. They will have access to buying a a wider range, a massive amount of ticket allocations. Though i am sure if i was put to the test with a minimum of 6-7 months notice the consumer buying direct would be cheaper.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I think you should try to get this moved as it doesn't really mention the actual product - BUT it is a useful review for what it is.....Caroline xx
arnoldhenryrufus 27.02.2008 07:20
I rated this review on its content as I thought there was some good advice there for the consumer, but then I took another look at it and technically it is off topic, but I don't like being harsh so I have left my rating stand as the content gets a helpful message across, but I would if I was you consider revising it as you don't really say anything about Lunpoly itself - lyn x
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