How do you book a trip?

Do you guys go to a travel agencies or do it online on one of those websites - travelocity or expedia?

I've went to some travel agencies and find that it is more expensive when you go with them because they add on their own taxes and what not.

Has anyone used a website? I'm kind of scared to use one because I don't want anything messing up or any hidden little things.

I'm going to Vegas this summer and need some reliable travel websites where I can book a flight and hotel as a package. (I need to be able to fly from Canada)

I use Travelocity or any of the sites to find the best flight then go to the airlines website to book it... And do the same for hotels too. Had some issues with hotel preferences and airline seats getting screwed up using travelocity to book averything once. And haven't had a problem since I started soing it this way.

I travel a lot and use the Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline type websites. They are all pretty reliable sometimes I find though... if I book them separately its cheaper. Like I'll fly to Vegas using South West! <----- they are awesome! And probably call up a few hotels. To see what they are offering. Sometimes if you tell them that the third party websites are offering a better deal they'll drop their price for you. I also wouldn't book every single day for hotels online. I usually book the first and when I get to the hotel try swindle a deal.... it usually works out quite well. Good LUCK! ENJOY!

Travel web sites are fine up to a point. Some airlines, like Southwest, AirTran or others are not listed with travel sites Travelocity and Orbitz. Ultimately for travel I doubt you get an airfare cheaper than Southwest to Las Vegas and you can't leave from Toronto but mostly likely would have to depart from Buffalo (not so far).

If you're staying in Vegas the travel sites are ok, but I was there once on a spur of the moment trip and a local told me to check out the Las Vegas tourist board. Las Vegas / Special Offers I think they may have a web site now, but i went in person. I got a terrific room at the Luxor (looks like a pyramid) for $43. Also many casinos like the Tropicana have special rates on a lot of days. So like mid week i have even seen like $19 for a night for a nice room at the Tropicana towers.



I would definitely stay on the main part of the strip (from Mandalay Bay up to Harrahs) avoid like the plague any of the places that are off the beaten track and especially the old casino section which i remember as being quite sketchy.

Taxis are super expensive and soooo slow since the strip traffic moves so slowly. there are a number of elevated walkways that you may want to check out. Another tip if you have a rental car you can drop them off at any casino for a 4 or $5 tip.

its not all about gambling btw. there is lots of stuff at the casinos to see. I personally really like the Cirque du Soleil shows and I believe Mystere is still playing at Treasure Island.

Originally Posted by esha /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you guys go to a travel agencies or do it online on one of those websites - travelocity or expedia?
I've went to some travel agencies and find that it is more expensive when you go with them because they add on their own taxes and what not.

Has anyone used a website? I'm kind of scared to use one because I don't want anything messing up or any hidden little things.

I'm going to Vegas this summer and need some reliable travel websites where I can book a flight and hotel as a package. (I need to be able to fly from Canada)

where are you in Canada?

Thanks for your replies! Good stuff Darla, thanks for the info! We are looking to stay at MGM or Venetian. Hey, if 3 21-year old girls go to Vegas, they definitely want to do it up big lol. But I've found some decent dails at those hotels.

I'm Ottawa, so we can't find a direct flight which would have been ideal but there are stops at Toronto, can't find one at Montreal which sucks.

sorry i thought for some reason you were in Toronto GTA so i suppose you have to figure out how to get from Ottawa which is maybe a little trickier. Does someone like WestJet fly from Ottawa to like Buffalo?

Kayak and Orbitz are the only other methods I've used other than just calling up an airline or hotel.

I would not book hotels thru expedia or any other site before you call that hotel that you want to stay at directly first (or see their website first) for rates.

My last trip to California, we were wanting to stay beach side. I was looking at places, decided on staying in Redondo Beach. I saw a great hotel - Portofino Hotel and Yacht club. It was beautiful. I saw a great rate at expedia, got excited and booked! I needed 2 queen beds because there were 4 of us so I put in on my instructions. I looked for the official hotel website after - only to find the deal, was offered by the hotel too (no great deal thru expedia). When we got there, we got a king bed and cot! No choice of rooms thru Expedia! Lesson learned - look at hotel rates thru the hotel first! If I booked with the hotel, I would have been able to choose the room!

We did get a different room after but that was the next day. We also got a free upgrade to an ocean side room for free after 2 days just by asking

We go through AAA , 1. Because they are cheaper and 2. my husband works for the company (not on the travel side, though.), but I don't think they are available in Canada.

Originally Posted by Jinx /img/forum/go_quote.gif We go through AAA , 1. Because they are cheaper and 2. my husband works for the company (not on the travel side, though.), but I don't think they are available in Canada. In Canada, It'd be CAA(Canadian Automotive Assoc). We also have BCAA which is British Columbian Automotive Assoc because I live in BC. I'm sure there would be AAA for Alberta...etc. Similar benefits.

I often ask travel agencies,i always use Expedia online,You can go to Expedia.com to have a look.

I've never booked through online sites such as Expedia etc.

I've used Belair BelAir Travel offers last minute vacations, cheap flights, all inclusive vacation packages to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba and more !! travel in person. They have several locations across Canada and are a no frills travel agency. Basically you pick up a brochure, decide on a package and book through them. They don't sit down with you like other travel agencies and go over various options. Usually I research the hotels, destinations first online and book through them. I've never experienced any problems. You can book online with this company but I've always done it in person.

Westjet also offers vacation packages. WestJet.com

Another option is to check out the travel section of your newspaper. Often travel agencies advertise deals in the paper.

I booked a trip to Vegas several years ago using Expedia.ca ....it was pretty simple, reliable and the description of the trip was pretty acurate.

I've booked through a lot of sites but I like Travelocity the best.

I appreciate everyone's input! It sucks how the prices go up by the hour, it's like stocks! When you see a decent price BOOK IT. Lesson of the week for me.. anyways I guess I will browse around, I guess for websites it is really a hit or miss but I will keep the websites listed above in mind.

i am going to be in Vegas weekend of June 18!!! Staying at the Aria. When will you be there? I bought my ticket from Southwest because I had a voucher, so it was going to be the cheapest either way. If you can, fly on a thursday. Its sometimes cheaper to fly out a day early and get a hotel room than to fly on a friday.

I also go to farecast.com, and they will go to expedia and orbitz and all the other sites and compare as well as tell you the best deal from the actual airlines.