MilesBuzz! - Are you using travel agents less or more?

I have noticed that recently with all of the info on the internet, I have unconciously been using my local travel agent less and less. I guess the reason being that I can book my own travel at 11pm when I am on the computer and I have time to think about my travel plans.
I used to use a travel agent for every aspect of trip planning but lately I only use them as a last resort. I have noticed that when I do use an agent these days they can either match or in some cases beat any deal I find on the net.
I think in the future I will try and use agents more often.

This thread typifies the response from FTers on travel agents: Aside from corporate requirements, most of us don't use them.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005656.html

My reaction to a travel agent is the same as my attitude towards tailors.

If you don't have a good tailor or have never had tailored clothes (it is a luxury only in the West), you can just buy off-the-shelf and never see a difference.

If you have a good tailor, you will never buy off-the-shelf.

There are only a few exceptional tailors and travel agents.

You have to remember that TA's do more than book tickets.

I always use my TA...the same one for 3 years. I research and plan the trip online.....then call her and say book me on this/that routing.

A good one is worth their weight in FF miles.

It has been over 3 years since I last used a travel agent in the U.S. (other than one time to purchase a domestic Mexican paper ticket when I already knew my itinerary & fare basis).

If I found one that was attuned to the the patterns of sophisticated travellers, I would willingly pay extra-- I just don't know how to find a good one. The few times I have tried to do something with an agent, I quickly realize I know much more about airfares, etc., than they do.

Posted today:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum109/HTML/003811.html

Its not the money , its just TA are slow to get back to You with info, I can also access in real time and book myself , maybe on an extended vacation I would use one.

also I will take the extra miles for booking online!, and then call in my miles upgrade.

I always always used to use a travel agent to book my Pan Am, Braniff, Eastern, PSA and other extinct airline tickets.

((( subliminal message )))

love your travel agent

use your travel agent

book OFTEN with your travel agent

book lotsa cruises & stuff with your travel agent! :P

((( end of subliminal message )))

My TA has started charging a €28.00 fee for each return trip.

For the fee I can do it myself. 150 trips a year, this adds up fast.

I may require the TA from time to time, but I am starting to think that those days may be over.

My TA is great, I still call to say hello from time to time, but that fee would pay for some really nice rainy day projects.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by venk:
There are only a few exceptional tailors and travel agents.</font>

Here's a list of 107 exceptional agents and their specialties, according to Conde Nast Traveler's Wendy Perrin:
http://www.virtuoso.com/107-press.html

You might not need agents for domestic airline tickets, but they could come in handy navigating abroad.