Travel Agent or On-line?

[treefrog]

What is the best way to make travel arrangement to Germany? Using a travel agent, or do it yourself? If do it yourself, online or calling airlines?

I think what I want to do, is fly coach to Germany and then business class coming back (if it is feasible). My back is not horrible (and I am pretty small so leg room isn't an issue), so I think I can stand a normal coach seat for the flight over.

Any tips on making these arrangements?

[trkdoc714]

Cathy,

I made my flight arrangements online today since I figured the drive would be too long. If you're going to "split" classes, they'll have you purchase the economy ticket then call them to upgrade (if possible) to the business class return flight. They wouldn't guarantee an upgrade for my journey.

I've flown economy on overseas flights before. It's really not all that uncomfortable. Since the dollar took a nosedive this week, I didn't have the extra to fly business class.

Good luck on your journeys,

Bob

[treefrog]

My boyfriend asked if I had considered taking a boat back.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by treefrog

What is the best way to make travel arrangement to Germany? Using a travel agent, or do it yourself? If do it yourself, online or calling airlines?

I think what I want to do, is fly coach to Germany and then business class coming back (if it is feasible). My back is not horrible (and I am pretty small so leg room isn't an issue), so I think I can stand a normal coach seat for the flight over.

Any tips on making these arrangements?

I used a travel agent at the time of my 2-level ADR in 2003, as I was only 23 at the time and had only been overseas one time.

This time around I'm definitely setting things up myself. However, I have to say that my Dad uses a travel agent for his travel and the packages they come up with everything included (airfare, hotel, tours, etc.) are super "cheap" compared to booking everything individually.

Airline deals abound online these days, especially with the current economy. I've always had great experiences with sites like expedia, etc.

[Justin]

PS... make sure to check airline prices at 2:30pm / 4:30pm / Midnight during the week and 5:00pm on the weekend--these are the times that airlines update their prices.

These sites are great too:

farecast.com
wegolo.com

Wow, roundtrip to Munich right now is $397 on farecast....

[treefrog]

That is an incredible price Justin.

Well, I am hoping that I will be making plans soon.

A friend of ours is going to donate miles to me, that I can use to upgrade (hopefully). She travels a lot on business and has a lot of miles. I haven't traveled extensively, so I'm nervous about the best way to go about it. The only trip I've taken outside the US recently was to Belize last February (my mom took my sister and I to Jamaica when we graduated from college, but that was more than 20 years ago, and she made all the plans, you didn't even need a passport then). But the woman who's home we were going to, told us exactly which airlines to take and all the other details, and all I had to do was book my flights. It wasn't as complicated as this trip is likely to be.

I've done some travel inside the US, and used Expedia, bookingbuddy.com and other similar type sites.

Thanks for the tips on when to check the prices. I remember hearing that there was some particular time to check, to get the cheapest prices, but I can't remember when that is. I'll have to see if I can find out if I wrote it down somewhere.

Though, actually this is the least of my worries. I have a credit card and I no how to use it . I'm more worried about arranging funds to pay for the surgery. I'm sure I can come up with it, it's just how much stress it is going to cause me, to figure it out.

[Justin]

Hey Cathy,

Belize is beautiful...my wife was there during a Tropical Biology class during undergrad. I was hoping to do a rotation there, but with my upcoming surgery I don't think it will be feasible anymore.

BTW, I just checked airfare on Farecast today and it's $149 each way nonstop to Munich from Philly. I'm trying to finalize my surgery date with Dr. Bertagnoli, so I hope these prices hold.

My wife and I traveled to Munich and Vienna for my surgery in 2003 and it was easy for us to use the trains and navigate our way around at 22 and 23 years-old. Traveling in Europe is really easy, especially with the train system.

Good luck and I hope you are feeling well.

[travelbugz]

Originally Posted by Justin

Hey Cathy,

BTW, I just checked airfare on Farecast today and it's $149 each way nonstop to Munich from Philly. I'm trying to finalize my surgery date with Dr. Bertagnoli, so I hope these prices hold.

Incredible and reasonable price! wish i could get a similar cost like what you have.

[mmglobal]

Travelbugz,

The fare Justin got was pretty amazing. However, now is a good time to be planning a trip. I don't know when you are planning on going, but in years past, January round trips LA to Munich have been easy to get for $450 to $600.