The following excerpts are taken from an article which appeared in the Money section of USA Today on Monday, April 26, 1999. (article written by Gary Stoller of USA Today)
Fares on line:
Deals or Duds?
Thinking of surfing the Internet to get a cheap airfare? Look out - it's tougher than you think.
USA Today spent three weeks shopping on 70 travel industry Web sites. Here's what we learned:
- The internet carries a confusing avalanche of airfare offers from booking agents, travel agents and ticket consolidators. Obtaining fare quotes and comparing ticket prices is very time consuming - and often very frustrating.
- Many sites that claim to deliver the lowest fares don't. They offer fares on many routes that are the same as or higher than those quoted on the phone by airlines and travel agents.
- Some Web sites can save a traveller hundreds of dollars for a single round-trip ticket. The dest deals can consistently be gotten directly from major U.S. airlines, which each week offer extraordinary Internet bargains on a limited number of routes.
- Web sites arm ticket buyers with valuable pricing information that can be used to find the best deal - on or off the internet.
... Our frustration often grew after we received the so-called cheapest fare. Was this really the cheapest fare, or could a better one be found on other Web sites or through traditional channels off the Internet? Without the expertise of an impartial arbiter - a role traditional travel agents are supposed to play - we didn't have a clue.
The above is only two brief excerpts from the full USA Today article, but the emphasis is clear. The internet can be a valuable tool, but can also represent a time consuming and frustrating medium for finding the best prices. Here is how Egan Travel can help:
- Egan Travel has qualified travel counsellors who have years of experience and training in their field.
- Egan Travel has a comprehensive computer reservation system which allows us to directly access scheduled airlines, charter airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, and ticket consolidators.
- Egan Travel is independent and impartial. Unlike some travel operators which deal exclusively with a particular airline, Egan Travel will use all available suppliers and resources to find the best value that meets your travel needs.
- Egan Travel searches the internet to bring you the best online specials. As the USA Today article suggested, the dest deals often come directly from the airlines. You don't have to spend your valuable time searching through dozens of airline websites. We can book those great fares for you. We even
display many of them on our own website each week.
- Egan Travel provides you with information to help you get the best deal. This includes booking suggestions which will help you get a reduced fare, a
specials
page which lists sales and discounts, and an
explanation
of the different prices and fare classes available.
- Egan Travel recognizes the value of the traditional approach to booking a business or personal trip. The internet can provide you with lots of information, but sometimes you just need to talk to a
real person who can help you with your travel needs. While some online operators deal exclusively over the internet, Egan Travel has real
offices that you can visit and real
phone numbers that you can call. You can use any combination of fax,
e-mail, or telephone communication that you feel comfortable with.
We hope this will convince you that Egan Travel represents your best all-around resource for arranging your personal or business travel. If there is any more information we can provide for you, just
contact us and let us know.