Using Expedia vs a Travel Agent for Honeymoon?

I think it depends where you are going. Usually we have found better deals on the internet by ourselves than through a travel agent. And also often, it gets cheaper closer to the date, like 4-8 months out. Since we went to several touristy towns and cities in Europe, we would have saved more money waiting a month before the date! yep...but we went off season, which is an important factor to consider. If it's a resort or hotel, you can check out their website and get a rate quote also and book directly from the airlines too. Also try hotwire, priceline, and orbitz. good luck

One important thing to do is get travel insurance if you plan a DIY honeymoon. This way, you are covered if you have to alter your plans. Here is a link for the Lonely Planet recommended service.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/insurance.do?affil=googleins&gclid=CPmdq-_ziZ8CFRkUswod8nfoRQ

I am probably biased, but would like to offer you the following reasons why using an agent can make all the difference.

First, we've been there! We personally inspect the hotels and resorts that we send our clients to, so we can help you determine if the resort not only meets your budget, but fits with your personality.

If you look around online you'll find dozens of horror stories from people who have booked online, only to arrive at the hotel to be told that they either don't have a reservation, or the hotel is over sold. We have a very strict no walk policy. With us, the hotel you book is the hotel you'll stay at.

Our packages include everything-resort, airfare, transfers, excursions, and our cancel for any reason insurance. This insurance allows you to cancel for any reason, no questions asked, and get a full refund-even on non-refundable published air!

We offer 24 hour emergency assistance while you're traveling as well.

I ran out of room...

Finally- It doesn't cost any more to use our services than it does to book it yourself!

Please check out our reviews here on Wedding Wire!

If you're still thinking about trying to do it yourself, please read our Top 10 Booking Blunders on our website.

Best!

Laura

You may want to check this out as well.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/burbank/index.htm

I posted the wrong link:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/burbank/2009-12-16-greek-honeymoon_N.htm

For anything major, I'd always go with a travel agent. There are so many times that I've run into issues and having a travel agent on the other side to handle problems for you really makes a huge difference in your stress level. I've even found that a travel agent can be cheaper sometimes. You have to remember that places like Expedia, etc. don't show all the airlines, they only show the ones that pay to be shown. The budget carriers in many cases are not in the online major travel site searches.

FH & I are both avid travelers. I had always booked my own trips, while he had always used a travel agent. I have to say, I was skeptical at first, but the big thing I've noticed is that #1 it doesn't cost any more to use a travel agent, and #2 once you build a reputation with an agent, you start getting little perks like bottles of wine & things delivered to your room.

Thanks for the comments. I've never used a travel agent before - always booked myself.

Is it me? or does everytime someone post a whats better comment vendors always say to choose another vendor. Word to the wise, do the research yourself. Most of the time travel agents are using a sytem comparible to expedia and its always a few dollars more, they have to make money too. But it really depends on where you are going and how familiar with the area you are. you could even go see a travel agent, ask questions, but dont book anything. LOL

We used a travel agent for our honeymoon and I was glad we did...it's a BIG trip that you really really want to go well because you will probably remember it more than any other trip in your lives. It gave us piece of mind to have the agent to work with and as it worked out swine flu panic hit right at the time of our trip and having that rep helped us a lot, especially when flights were canceled last minute. Now I do love using bookit.com so I'm not against DIY travel at all. But I think it's at least worth your time to talk with a travel agent and see what they can do for you before you book anything. As for vendors recommending vendors on here, I don't think that's a greed thing, they have been in the business so long they know who is good and offers good service, nothing wrong with that! Thanks pros for offering your FREE advice!

I always use one, even with business trips. You won't get booked on the cheapee airlines, like Southwest, etc., unless you really want to, but otherwise, they save you money and you don't pay extra for their services. They have the knowledge and experience that only a full-time person would have. And a 5 minute phone call/e-mail to my travel agent beats an hour chasing down a fare.

I am thinking of using a travel agent, but as I've never used one, I am unsure as to the best one to pick - What I can say is that I do want to have back-up in case of emergency if I'm out of the US.

Southwest is a cheap airline??? WHAT! That is the best airline BY FAR. Anyway, I think you should price it out yourself. Call the resort and see if they can give you a good rate since its your honeymoon. Then check the travel sites to see what they offer.

I priced the resort we want to go to with the resort. Then I re-priced it with expedia (expedia was cheaper). Then I tried a travel agent that I found online (they were more$$ than the resort). Talk about confusing!!

I've read both good and bad things about the resort we want to go to, but I'm also nervous about picking a bad travel agent....

Also check bookit.com...I LOVE them! and there's nothing wrong with talking to a couple different travel agents and getting quotes. Just because you ask them for a quote doesn't mean you are obligated to book with them. Good luck!

I was just telling someone else that I'd recommend going with a travel agent as well, then someone else is accountable on the off chance something goes wrong and you have someone else to assist you. Also I've gotten great recommendations just because they've been to these areas and have personal favors. You could use Fox World Travel. I've had great luck with both Kim and Jody. 888-369-8785.

We just booked ours through a travel agent and couldn't be happier. She was so helpful. She got us a great rate at a 4 star resort and even let me know that booking my own activities would save me a lot as opposed to having her book for us.

I contacted 5 travel agents. One told me I had to pay her $100 before she would give me a quote (then the $100 went to other things if I booked $5k or more travel with her).

2 never called back and 2 offered me trips that I was not interested in....So Expedia.com it is! I even bought travel insurance (cancel anytime). Good deal.