four lessons for booking travel on the internet

Christopher Elliott's excellent blog, Consumer Traveler, posts this question from a traveler who encountered difficulties when booking his honeymoon on the internet:

About a month ago, I took advantage of a Travelocity e-mail fare alert for a flight from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. The deal seemed too good to be true: $230 roundtrip on US Airways. I booked the flight for my September honeymoon and then went to a Web site and bid on our accommodations, which I also booked.

A few days ago, US Airways notified me that it had dropped a connecting flight to Costa Rica, and that our only option was a full refund. I checked the ticket prices to Costa Rica and found that they had tripled. I felt like I was a victim of a bait-and-switch. I called US Airways, which offered to fly us to Costa Rica a day after we were supposed to leave. But it would involve an overnight stay in Charlotte, which the airline was unwilling to pay for.

I understand that airlines have flight schedule changes, but I also feel that it is their choice and that if they choose to do so, they should be responsible for the consequences. Is there anything you can do?

What can we learn from this traveler's experience? Here are four lessons for booking travel on the internet.

1. Buy a complete package from one vendor.

Had these honeymooners bought a complete package from Travelocity (AIR + RESORT), Travelocity would have owned the entire problem when US Airways cancelled its flight.

2. Purchase travel insurance.

In addition to protecting you from financial loss if you have to cancel in the event of an illness or other covered emergency, travel insurance can protect you from added expenses incurred in the event your trip is interrupted or delayed (i.e., an extra night in Charlotte).

3. The lowest price is not always the best value.

Many internet shoppers become compulsive about finding the very lowest price. But when you're shopping for travel - and especially for your honeymoon - you're buying more than a plane seat and a hotel room. You're planning an experience that will enrich and enhance your life. Sometimes a few extra dollars (purchasing travel insurance or upgrading to a more upscale resort) can relieve you of stress - and provide a level of comfort and luxury that will add so much to a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

4. Use a live human travel consultant instead of an online travel agency.

Many people think, "I don't need a travel agent. I'll book it on the internet." Well, Travelocity is a travel agency. Priceline is a travel agency. Hotels.com is a travel agency. You pay pretty much the same thing, whether you book directly with a hotel or an airline, or with an online agency, or through a live human travel consultant. Why not avail yourself of the expertise that an experienced travel consultant can offer you? After all, it's our mission to find you the best values and provide you with the most memorable experiences of your life.


Note: I specialize in luxury travel and am only accepting new clients on a limited basis. However, these lessons hold true whether you are spending $1,000; $10,000; or $50,000 on your next trip.


four lessons for booking travel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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