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Sorry to see honest, hard-working people lose business, but to us travel agents have gone the way of the dinosaurs. We had experience with good, so-so and bad local agencies. Nevertheless, we were gradually weaned away from them all. With the emergence of the internet, found we could do the job better or at least just as well by clicking on our home keyboard.

We've been retired for 15 years, and by staying lucky and healthy so far, we've done it all. And hope we can continue for many more years. Cruises, Elderhostels, Europe on-foot jaunts, Las Vegas, Reno, Mexico, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Ireland and many more.

Before we decide on any trip, whether for three days or three weeks, we crank up the iMac. Our most recent one was a required family visit cross country from Arizona to Florida. We had some Southwest (the very best) Airlines credits, so the flying part of the journey was very economical. We checked out several of the internet travel agencies to get prices on hotels, and found all of them out-of-sight expensive. The reason they all said: it's the season.

Oh, sure. We wanted to book that Tampa Airport Marriott room so we can sit out in the sun and imagine the beach some 30 miles away. So, we checked out other motels in the area online and got them for about 75% of the agency price. Still high, but at least almost a fair price.

That was just an example of how we plan our trips. We have several choices for checking prices and schedules: do it all by phone, get quotes from on-line agencies, or visit bricks'n'mortar agencies. We long ago gave up on traditional agencies because we got to be almost as travel savvy as any of their employees. Also, unfortunately, all the serious troubles we've ever had in travel glitches happened when our friendly neighborhood agency did the bookings.

On-line agencies puff up their promises with heavy advertising, but don't often fulfill them, even if you believe Bill Shatner is telling the truth. Their ads are often confusing, and their pricing sometimes seems like we're making a bet at a roulette wheel rather than getting a firm quote and understandable schedule.

Maybe it is because we've had so much experience in travel that we feel so superior when we do all our own booking. Of course, we've made mistakes, too. But the bottom line is that by calling airlines, cruise lines, hotels and tour companies directly, we always get the best prices, the most convenient schedules, and invariably enjoy our trips more.

I don't know if the days of the traditional travel agency are over, but as far as we're concerned, we'll never darken one of their doors again.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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