Essxjay, Iconcur completely- I jhave always been able to "do better" than UAL vacations, especially when travelling with a family- but also solo. Their negotiated hotel rates are rarely better than other discounted rates.Often hotels have specials that are less than travel agent rates that are negotiated far in advance.
i have found that consolidator airline rates, those which accrue FF miles, to often be agood opportunity at the moment,but not always.
If you are travelling to a remote part of the world and need the expertise of a travel agency/Package, then perhaps the arranged transfers, etc are worth it, butit is often cheaper to itemize and do it yourself.