Originally Posted by
moondog
I'm pretty sure you're wrong about this, both in the general sense and with respect to US-China travel, but I'd defer to any evidence to the contrary.
In any case, for those of us that don't have unlimited resources at our disposal, finding low fares is the main point. If doing so entails calling a travel agent, then so be it.
I've always been able to do as well or better than quoted air fares from travel agents. The site I was attempting to book a flight on with Hainan was basically a portal for a travel agency anyhow. Their info was inaccurate and by the time they called me back, any of the "teaser" fares were long gone. I used to work for a travel wholesaler and they went out of business because so many people do use the internet now.