[QUOTE]Originally posted by SFplat:
[B]Good point squeakr. My situation is much like always_delayed above... I book "easy" stuff on the web, but I'd like a travel agent available to book more complicated fares. I still think booking multi-city is a PITA on the web (esp. when looking for the best deal).

In my case, it's mainly leisure travel. Basically, I'm always watching fares and when a "deal" pops up I like to find out exactly what days and flights there are still seats available and make my purchase decision. I often have difficulty with the 2nd half of the prior statement (finding out dates and flights seats are still available).

I wouldn't mind paying a reasonable fee for a good agent's assistance.
I know that Ed Hasbrouck, one of the experts in around the world fares. is conmnected to ticket planet in SF>

www.ticketplanet.com

They have a great website but also have a network of travelagents ot go in and talk to in the SF AREA.