Shareholder - I've used a the same TA for over 20 years, she and her company are fantastic - what has changed, especially in the last 5 years is the amount of input I provide to a trip. If your simply looking for the cheapest ticket - a TA is not much benifit any more - however if your definition of value includes reduction of hassels, less of your own time used, and most imporant - if there is a problem on any of part of your journey - your TA is the one who can and will help. There are good TA's and some what-a-be TA's -find a good one with references both in the business world and personal world. I would be happy to recommend mine to anyone who understands that value goes beyond ticket price.

PS - I do one thing a bit crazy.... I do book some things online...and when I do, I send her (or hand her ) $20.00 - it's my insurance that any part of a trip I'm on, she has a vested interest in. We both laugh - but I've called her several times on things I've done that haven't gone according to plan

------------------
Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++Hilton Gold (thanks to EXP)