Go for the price only! (STA Travel)

Member Name: Holidaying

Product:	STA Travel
Date:	31/03/09 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can be the cheapest for flights.

Disadvantages: Pushy salespeople, disorganised, long wait times on the phone.

I have booked a few flights with STA Travel for one simple reason only: they are often the cheapest! This to me has been the only positive about dealing with them and I will explain why.

The website
When I first booked flights with them, I wanted a multi flight itinerary. I used a feature on their website that allows you to plan your route (and it does not seem to be there anymore, which makes sense and I will explain why in a minute). I made a couple of plans and wrote down the details, which included airlines, flight times and the cost of the whole itinerary. I took these details to my nearest branch (some thirty miles away) as I wanted to ask a couple of questions and get more information.

The shop
I entered the shop, which has a row of desks on one side for the staff and displays of magazines on the other side (like any travel agent). I liked the shop. It was bright and spacious and of course pictures of kangaroos on magazines is going to get any Brit in a mood to part with cash!

I waited a few minutes for one of the 'consultants' (aka sales people) to be free and to see me, and I explained that I had these routes and was interested in booking one. He told me straight off: that tool doesn't work. He said 'I don't know why it's still up there' (ie on the website). I was disappointed that I had wasted so much time but presumed that he would be able to do the same routes and prices. He could not- some of the routes were not possible, the airlines were 'all wrong' and the prices were much higher. I told him I was going to ask around, but he kept trying to persuade me to buy there and then. I didn't.

I had little success with other travel agents so I decided to change tack.

The phone sales consultants
I decided to try to book the four flights in my multi flight itinerary separately, so I looked for the best prices for all of them, and they were all with STA! I was shocked and I decided that this time I would call them.

I waited on hold for a while as some music was played over the phone. After about five minutes I spoke to a sales consultant and enquired about the prices. He said that they were correct but that I had to have an international student identity card. This cost about £7. I thought that it was a great deal but I was no longer a student. I told him and he issued it anyway.

I booked the flights there and then on the phone. He kept trying to upsell me to the point where I had said no about three times and had to say something like 'Look, I just want those four flights!' and eventually got to put the phone down. He said he would email me all the details.

The email...
was missing! I had to call again to get the email and then it only contained details of my first flight! So I had to call back again and they said that is their practice when more than one flight is booked. I thought it was strange and reconfirmed my flights. They were confirmed.

The flights
Beyond the direct dealings with STA Travel, everything was fine, as the airlines take over your booking once you've booked your flights. I didn't have cause to deal with STA again after that.

Would I use them again?
Yes, but I would do all the research online first and if they were cheapest I would call them to book and not be pushed around. So, I recommend them if you know what kind of service you're in for and if you can stand your ground and not be sold things you don't want!

Additional information
You don't have to be a student to get the best deals! On the website they have a column for student prices and one for non-student prices.

Teachers can get the same great deals as students.

STA have branches across the World.

Summary: Be warned!