Choosing a Vacation Booking Site
If you're getting ready to go on a vacation, you know that it can be an expensive undertaking. After you've purchased your plane ticket, lodging, car, food, and so on, you're left with some good memories, sure. But those memories become a lot better if you've still got a little cash in your bank account.
The reality is that vacations are expensive--but there are a lot of great sites out there that help make them a little more affordable, no matter your budget. But how do you know which sites are the best for you?
Focus on search options
You're going to want to focus on whether or not a particular site's search option meets your specific vacation needs. While most offer flights, hotels, and rental cars, some combine these things to offer packages that save you money. Look for a search engine that includes all of the things you desire.
You'll also want to check for fine print--are your items refundable? Reschedulable? Is it possible to cancel part of your travel plans but not others? These will be important factors in choosing a site to go through.
Look for a site that is understandable and customizable based on the things you want. Detail is good, but too much information can be overwhelming--aim for a balance.
Easy-peasy
A site should be easy to use, and if it isn't, it's probably not worth it. Good sites offer a variety of features that are meant to reduce the headache of booking your own travel. Look for things like easy date selection options, email confirmations, clearly explained details.
By the time you're ready to book, you should feel confident in your ability to cancel or change plans, get in touch with booking institutions, etc. In this case, easy is always better.
Other features
You'll want to look for sites that go above and beyond for their customers. Loyalty programs, frequent flyer miles, free itinerary generation, etc can be great reasons to choose one site over another. You might also look for travel insurance, free baggage, etc. These little extras are the things that differentiate service providers in a highly competitive industry.
If you can, get in touch with someone at the company and inquire about things that can be done to sweeten the deal--often, you don't know until you ask.
A little help
Even the best travel sites can be confusing, so look for one that offers help and support to their customers. You should be able to get in touch via email, chat, and a phone and this information should be easy to find. If a site doesn't offer a phone number, be wary--reputable sites are those where you can speak, without fuss, to a real, live person.
While sites may offer comparable services, some excel over others. Find one that works for you, and stick with it--good customer service is hard to find! Do you have experience booking travel (personal or business) through an online site? Please tell us about your experience in the space below!
About the Author