Online travel agencies: think very carefully before you use one...

[steve2470]

Case in point: https://www.gotogate.com/

Yes yes, before you chide me, I should have known better upfront. Now I do.

To save you a lot of reading and time, Better Business Bureau customer reviews gives them a rating of 1.03 out of 5 here.

Don't use them. I am sure there are reputable ones out there, but if you can go directly to airlines and travel suppliers, I would do so.

I used Gotogate for my flight to Mexico City from Bogota, and then Mexico City back to Orlando. I needed to change my ticket. Gotogate's phone number is totally out of action and no one answers, and email is not an option.

So, I called Aeromexico directly, and thankfully they changed my reservations for me, with a reasonable change fee.

Again, I am not implying that ALL online travel agencies are crooks, incompetent, etc. Just be very careful if you are going to use one.

I'll try not to post any more travel stuff for a long time now. Thanks for patience.

Steve

[Dream Girl]

1. Many app based services to not have phone CS numbers. They are completely digital.

To my knowledge, you can’t call Uber or Lyft either. Booking.co is good for travel because you book with the travel company, not with booking.com.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. I have rarely flown since 2001, but even before then I'd

always look at Expedia, then go to the airline's own site. Every time I checked one of the other booking sites that were supposed to give cheap flights, they were at best exactly the same, and often more than Expedia. It's a toss-up between Expedia and the airline itself.

I drive places, and when I need to book a hotel I do the same thing. Check out Expedia, then call the hotel location directly. Again, sometimes I can get a better deal booking directly with the hotel, but more often not.

One huge problem with flying is that the airlines have trained people to look for the cheapest possible fare, and then have restrictions and extra fees that add up. Personally, the rare times I've flown in the past decade I simply book a first class seat about three or four months ahead of the trip. I can get one at a fare I'm willing to pay, have free luggage check, drinks, and a meal. Well worth it.

[Auggie]

3. I'll never, ever use one