Are you planning a trip and considering purchasing travel services online?
The way we plan vacations has evolved significantly in recent years. Previously, many relied on local travel agents for deals.
Travel booking online has become a big industry. On the positive side, it gives the customer a great deal of control to make their own arrangements. It’s important to know five things in order to find the best discount and deal. Before you start your online travel booking and research, read this.
1.) All travel websites are not created equal
Travel-Booker, Travel-Dealer and other traditional websites such as Expedia and TravelZoo are available to book travel.
Search capability is the main difference. Travel websites like Expedia search only their own databases of flights, hotels, and rental cars. The search results are limited. These sites offer more features for searching and booking.
The results of travel engines like travel-booker will show you flight availability, hotel room rates, car rental prices, etc. You won’t find many cool travel features on the site, but you will get a “spartan search”.
2.) It pays to compare as many and often as you can
Always compare multiple websites before you book online to find the best deal. Travel web sites often negotiate with airlines and hotel chains to purchase huge blocks of rooms and fares. They then pass on the savings. The difference in the price for a seat or a room on a plane, depending on the site, may be dramatic. It pays not just to compare and check other websites, but to also do so often if possible.
The world-traveler club compares all the travel deals sites.
3.) Travel web sites don’t always get the best deal
Due to the fierce competition in the travel industry, it’s a good idea to check the website of your airline, car rental, or hotel company before booking online. You may find special rates or offers if you do so directly. You may find that the best offers are only available to their online clients or preferred customers. This will also save you money.
4.) Beware of travel website service and transfer fees
Online travel bookings are usually subject to a fee. It’s usually not excessive and costs around $5 for each ticket or reservation. Recent fees have been around $20, and I don’t think there is any need to pay this much. The fees you should be concerned about are the transfer fees that apply when changing your itinerary or cancelling. You may have to pay $100 or even more if you want to make a change once you book a flight. If you need a refund it will be incredibly frustrating as you may have to spend hours trying to reach someone who can approve it.
Travel search engines earn money through paid advertising, and referral fees from airlines or hotels. You don’t usually pay any fee to use them when booking. This is slowly changing, so check the fee information before you book.
In general, fees shouldn’t be concealed, but if you are in a hurry to make a booking, you might overlook something that was not obvious. Online travel websites have low profit margins, so they are able to be creative with their fees if you do not pay attention.
If you are making an online payment, check where your money is going. You should know the person who will charge your card as well as how it will be handled. Other companies and travel suppliers may not have registered themselves in Ontario. The Ontario Travel Industry Act 2002 only protects you if your payment is made to or via a registered Ontario travel agency.
5.) The hidden limit that saves you money
On the page of many travel websites, you will find a link that lets you join their affiliate program at no charge. It is usually hidden at the bottom of the page. You can make a commission by becoming an affiliate for every person you send their way who buys a ticket or book a hotel room.
Before you quit your job to become a travel agent from home, you should know that you will need to have thousands of clients to earn any money. There’s another reason for becoming an affiliate. Most sites allow affiliates to buy their own tickets while still getting paid commission. This is a kind of discount. Check the small print to make sure you understand the terms and conditions. If you book a lot online, you might want to check out the program.
Travel industry is continuing to adapt to Internet’s advantages. Online travel systems have seen billions of dollars invested, with new competitors entering the market each year. With these tips, you will be better equipped to negotiate the maze and find the best possible deal. If you don’t want to deal with all the hassle of online booking, there is always the travel agent at the mall.