Booking direct or with a travel agent

[Maryann]

I do use a travel agent sometimes (my BFF), especially when there is a flight involved, as she always finds the cheaper flights. Also if there are problems with the flight or the room, she takes care of it, and I've had some serious issues that she has had to straighten out, one time at 3 a.m. Like Jaherring said, though, they are becoming extinct, kind of like traveler's checks, which I also still use.

[jamaicarob]

we book direct with our resort, and direct with Westjet, it will save you $500 to $1000 bucks, soon come

[Flipadelphia26]

Never used a travel agent.

I book the cheapest flight possible. Then wait for the best hotel deal possible.

[TAH]

Is it still 1980? No?

[gregandkelly63]

Last spring when we went to Negril with a group, the resort tried to move us to another resort 3 times. The travel agent was a huge help getting things straightened out.

I know that doesn't usually happen, but I was glad we had him.

That's why I asked the question.

[DConkle]

I always try to deal directly with the owner or the manager of a property,and preferably while still on property. Face to face seems to work better when possible.

[shellyk]

Which is better and why? What are the advantages either way?

I always book my own and then I purchase trip insurance for a really small via thru travel guard which is online. I had a travel agent two times that a hurricane and a tropical storm hit Jamaica when i was there. Wasn't much the agent could do either when flights weren't running. A couple years ago when I got that mosquito bite virus while there and had to have medical assistance to get home fast i did not have agent but made calls myself and was quickly flown to Dallas for treatment as was first flight into USA closest medical facility.
There are the same sites the travel agents use that are now accessible to travelers online. Flight Matrix is what agents use and we now have that available. I have to LOL when I explain this next part. I never ever ever book a hotel for Jamaica with anyone other than direct hotel. Examples of why. Orbitz for Fun Holiday was 125 last Aug for ATI I paid 75 for friends by contacting direct. BarB Barn was +100 when we got for 65 by calling. I compare on all of the sites than contact hotel just in case they try to shoot me high. Never once have I not saved atleast 25 + a night by direct booking on phone or email. My trip next week FH was $115-125 both on their own site and many of the booking sites I booked direct for $60 night 2nd floor oceanview.
My trip insurance is usually 27-40 for a 7-10 day trip. This trip for 10 days for two it was $57. Gives me agents if I need them for helpmedical evac, covers anything lost or stolen etc. I go right online to travelguard and purchase.

[davevols]

The cheapest way of booking must depend on the part of the country you live in? We have spent countless hours of research before booking trips to Negril for
10+ years. We drive and fly direct from Atlanta, but fly Chattanooga to Atlanta on the rare occasion that the price is right.

We get the best price booking room and airfare together through Expedia or sometimes Orbitz every time. I have called places where we have been repeat guests and still do not get the price offered on these sites. The usual routine is decide it's time, we gotta get away and relax on the beach. We will plan to go 2-3 months away and start watching prices. Use matrix search (thanks Cap't D I think it was) with the flexible date setting to find cheapest dates for airfare. Then use those dates to search the packages on Expedia and Oribtz, usually finding the best price 4-5 weeks out.

The good thing about the short window between booking and trip, it's there before you know it!! This has been the cheapest route for us with our average price for 7-8 days room and airfare being around $1600 for two.

[gregandkelly63]

Nashville is supposed to have direct flights to Montego Bay by the end of the year. We also drive to Atlanta to fly direct.

[Maryann]

Thanks, Greg and Kelly, for that info on Nashville. Memphis used to have direct flights to MB but don't think they do anymore. Loved flying out of Memphis and especially loved the Memphis airport.

I've had the most luck with finding cheaper flights on Kayak website.