I echo many of the pax here on TAs.
In summary, TAs are like car mechanics, there are some really good ones out there who know what they are doing and will save you money and provide gold service, BUT if you just walk in any mechanics chances for you to be ripped off left, right and middle is high. I can’t fix my car because I don’t know and I don’t have the tools, but I can book flights from the web.
I have a friend who wants to get a return flight to LHR for July, her TAs gave her three quotes on the same fare class which is from $2,100 from Sydney, from multiple carriers ….. and when I get a quote from Thai airways which is having a sale right now, ~$1,600 and gave it to her TA she quickly got the same flight and match the price, and I ask, why didn't she gave her the Thai quote the first place ?
I guess ignorance and higher commission from higher priced flights !
and TG, no TAs are NOT professionals, professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants etc went through universities, and attended (and pass) professional exams from their respective associations, and maintain their knowledge through continuing professional development programs, to keep their license they need to prove that their knowledge is up to date….. TA industry have none of that.
Also, have a check of the flights you have done in the past year, I am sure most of us only have simple flights which can be done by booking online…
As for travel advice from TAs, there are alternatives which are equal or better than them from the web, I use wikitravel for general location information, wotif and expedia and the like for accommodation, tripadvisor for hotel reviews, and of course google maps to check the place out before hand to see if they are close to transportation / tourist sites etc…:mrgreen::mrgreen: