Message #62417

[Cathy S]

I still use a travel agent, because it is the approved method of procuring travel, however, I still research and plan our travel requirements prior to making bookings.  Although I am confident enough in my research/planning skills that if it was an option I would make bookings direct; using our travel agent offers two advantages - they will make alternative recommendation if it offers us benefits and they act as a check on dates/times/flight numbers if I mistype something.  

I am pleased to say that in two years in post the only error has been one by our travel agents who booked flights for the wrong date but issued me confirmation from a separate system showing the correct date - they compensated us for the additional ticket costs within 30 minutes of my contacting them.

On balance I think there is room for both travel agents and travel planning software, but perhaps business travel agents will see their role change and become less travel focussed and more admin focussed.  

Cathy