Unsure about booking online? Read this! (Online Bookings in general)

Member Name: lynseya

Product:	Online Bookings in general
Date:	03/06/01 (373 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Time savings, Cost savings, Conveinence

Disadvantages: Security, Occasional fraud, Slow net connection

The advantages of online booking are still neglected by wary consumers. I am even unsure at the best of times also, with all the crime and fraud in the world. However, don't panic, together we will take the step and just do it.

There are so many advantages of boking flights online...

...the prices available seem so much lower than those of travel agents. The reasons for this are that airlines and tour operators have to pay commission to travel agents, however the fare that travel agents display is not allowed to be any more expensive than their publshed fare, so they include this commission for everyone buying direct or not. Airlines trying to sell completely direct can exclude this commission and pass the benefits onto the consumer. So if more of us buy direct, less travel agents are used, and less commission included. However, this is why travel agents webites do not publish any cheaper fares than in the shops.

...The choices are greater. Imagine being able to consult 10 different vendors at the same time? You can on the net, look at all the options at the same time.

...You can book whilst wearing your pyjamas! (or nothing at all!) Imagine its cold and raining outside, do you feel like trapsing down to the high street and walking from travel agent to travel agent? Didn't think so, instead curl up in front of the fire with your computer and book from the comfort of your own home.

...No endless queues. Why is it every time you go into the travel agent there are huge queues? None of that here.

Okay, so examine the benefits, pretty good eh? Still unsure? Well listen to my indispensible guide to buying online.

1. Look around. What is the point of booking online when you just consult one site. The more expensive the purchase, the more time you should spend looking. There are thousands of sites available.

2. When entering the process of booking, check at the bottom of your screen for a smal
l padlock in the bar below the site. This represents secure booking, which means that internet crooks should not be able to pick up your credit card number or other personal details.

3. On the site, ensure that you can see a sign for ATOL or ABTA indicating that the company is protected. This means if the company goes bankrupt, your booking will be protected. All reputable travel trade members have this protection, if they definitly don't have it, don't trust them. These signs are not instantly recognisable, you may have to search the flight a bit to see them.

4. If you are still unsure, check for a call centre number, and find the flight online, then call to book it.

5. Students should be aware of specfic student websites such as www.statravel.co.uk and www.usitcampus.co.uk. These sites have more reduced rates, sometimes you don't even have to be a student, so check them out also.

Finally, some recommendations. My favourite sites are the student ones and www.ebookers.com Check out the reviews on dooyoo for more experienced opinions in each site, and look at them all if you have time.

Good luck!!!

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