Researching and booking vacations online is something nearly everyone has done, even though there are drawbacks. Just like searching online for the cause of random pain in your finger leads you from a hangnail to death, booking online leads you to a vacation that’s meh instead of amazing.
When you book online, you’re missing out on customer service and a personalized experience. Nothing about booking online is specific to you. Generic options, random upselling, suggestions that benefit the company without a thought for what is best for you.
You’re missing out on common-sense decisions when you book online, too. Suggested flights that are never what you would pick with connections that make no sense and layovers that are either way too long or so short. Worrying about the possibility of missing the connection unless every detail of your flight goes exactly as scheduled, how to fix the problem when it doesn’t, and being in the middle of a fight between the booking site and the airline (that you didn’t even know existed!) is the complete opposite of being in stress free vacation mode. Automation and booking sites don’t factor in these details, they just search for the lowest price.
I eluded to being “in between” the booking site and the airline but think about what that means… Who do you call when a situation pops up? What happens when you have a question before your vacation even begins? Uh oh, the email you received has a spelling error in a passenger’s name. What now? If there is a number to call, you’ll wait on hold before speaking to someone who has no idea about your situation or how to fix it.
Putting flights aside for a moment, let’s say you see an advertisement, go directly to the cruise line website or one of the “only only” travel sites and book an amazing cruise. Surely, when the price you paid goes down, the website you used to book your vacation will call or at least send an e-mail letting you know the price went down. Actually, no, and if you find the price change yourself, it’s another call, more time wasted on hold, and a conversation with someone who has no interest in you or your situation.
Speaking of price, when booking online, taking the lack of service out of it, you’re getting the best price, right? Possibly but not definitely. First, In nearly all cases, the price you think you’re paying isn’t the price you actually end up paying. Prior to mid-2023 when you booked online, you were shown what was commonly known as “lead pricing.” At best, you’d get to the end of the checkout process and see all the line items that added up to the final price. At worst, buried in the fine print was added fees you don’t pay until you arrive at your destination.
Now that the consumer laws about prices have changed, the price you see is the price you pay, right? In theory. The reality is, prices advertised may be “final prices” but with a lot of different qualifying details. Advertised prices aren’t always what they seem whether it’s for an undesirable date, room category, or what extras aren’t included, it’s still easy to lure you in with a low price and entice you to spend more.
What’s the alternative? Use a travel agency like JJ Travel Associates. But the price. It must cost more to use a travel agent because the internet always has better deals, and there must be a fee added on for the benefit of the customer service and expertise. First, Jen and I are part of the largest travel consortia, networks, and associations and own a franchise (Dream Vacations) of the largest volume consumer travel reseller in the United States. You will not find a better price on the same vacation online or with any other travel agent. As for fees, some agents add one; we do not.
You see, just like the websites that let you book online, we get paid a commission from the cruise lines and resorts. Our passion is making sure you have the best possible experience from the first contact until you return home from the best vacation you’ve ever had. We personally answer every phone call, e-mail, and text so you are always getting a response from the two people who are planning and managing your vacation.
No matter where you book your next vacation, you are paying someone a commission — it’s baked right into the price, not an extra cost. When you book with JJ Travel Associates either by calling us for full service vacation planning or booking your next cruise at JoelandJennifer.com (our cruise booking website), you will find the very best prices, extra perks that can’t be found anywhere else, and you’ll receive the service that has enabled our clients from all 50 states to have exceptional vacations.
