yes, comparing the same exact 4 nights and flights between :
1) Booking 4 nights with TA and booking flights on continental.com
-VS-
2)Booking 4 nights and same flight #'s as above with travelocity.
The flights prices are pretty much in the same range no matter which site you go on. Maybe $10-$15 different but..
Both packages are after all taxes and fees, its over $500 difference for some guests depending on what airport they fly out of.
I know theres no guarantee with these major travel sites online but this is a huge difference.. I could be more than understanding on $100. Plus the transfer fee from the airport to hotel is only $60 roundtrip for 2 guests compared to the $70 from the TA.
This is frustrating, i definitely value a TA and thats why we decided to use one. I dont mind paying a little more to have the expertise of the travel agent but i am not really getting any expertise here. Guests are emailing and calling me telling me they are finding way better deals online. I dont understand the large gap between prices. Everything ive read on this forum says TAs usually get the best deals or at least the best value and service combined.
I am doing all sorts of work now because so many of my guests have not booked because they do a quick check online and find a huge disconnect between prices from the TA and the travelocity.
I dont want to screw all my guests, i want them to attend and some of them have already said they are not coming because they couldnt afford to come, but now.. They might have considered coming...
Has anyone else been through this before.. What do you do
I want guests to come and i thought i truly worked hard and felt having a TA would be the best way to go to avoid all these price conflicts and avoid being the middle man...