Should I use a travel agent or book myself when I'm flying to Paris??

Question

I was invited to go to Paris some time during the summer. I am not sure about the dates, I am happy as long as I get the cheapest flight possible and at least one week there in Paris. I am 15, so depending on the airline, I could be considered as an unacompanied minor. Should I get a travel agent to book it for me or should I organise it myself?

Answer 1

Its depends on each airline whether they are perpared to allow a minor to fly unacommpanied or not.

You need to do some reserch before you book, thats all.

Watch out for the small print x

Answer 2

you should get a travel agent, they will find you the cheapest flight that allows unaccompanied minors

Answer 3

do it yourself unless you live far away and there are alot of flight changes.

the travel agents take commision and sometimes dont do a thor look

do it yourself

Answer 4

go ahead and book it yourself.  its easy and you will get a better price that way.  Here is a blog on how to get the best airfare.

There are several ways to get the best airfare:

  Try one of the big companies: Travelocity.com., Kayak.com or Expedia.com. The advantage to them is that they show many different airlines and the cheapest prices for both the specific date you want to fly and the dates surrounding that date.  In case your plans are flexible. The disadvantage is that you are locked into the fare dates.  If you want to change a date due to injury or an emergency, their fees can be extreme.  

  My personal method it to use Kayak as my initial check on fares and dates.   I generally start at least a month in advance when looking for a ticket.   The nice thing about kayak is that it hooks you up directly to the airline.  Hence… you don’t get locked too deeply into one of the big three that charge up the wazoo for rescheduling.   Then after I have figured one or two flights that are at the right times and right prices.  In the upper left corner of the Kayak screen there is a feature that says “ track fares by email”. It’s referred to as Fare tracker and it really helps. Sign into this feature and it will update you daily on the changes in airfare.  At least once in the month you are going to be able to find a fare that is usually a couple of hundred dollars less than what you have been quoted in the first place.  A very cool feature.

If that is not what you want or you are in more of a hurry,  then…

  Try the airlines directly. Either their Web sites or direct telephone lines. Some of the Airlines offer low price guarantees meaning that if you find a cheaper fight on another Web site they may match the price or beat it. Each airline is different though, so you have to check them out individually.

  Just remember, if you are going to try to get the cheapest flights, the airlines normally have restrictions. You may have to purchase the ticket 14 or 21 days in advance, there may be no refunds or changes allowed.  You really need to know these restrictions.  

   If you try looking for a last-minute flight you will end up paying a lot more, although there are occasional exceptions.  I personally, managed a last minute ticket to S.F on the Millennium New Years eve. And received a better price than my friends that had booked a month in advance!    But… you cannot depend on this at all.

   Usually travel agents do not get the lowest fares and sometimes they tack on a commission. Travel agencies used to be the best way to get the best airfare, but with the Internet, It is now just as easy for individuals to check themselves.

   If you call an airline directly (they all have toll-free numbers), be sure to ask them if they have any specials. Often they do have specials, but you have to ask them about them, they won’t just tell you!  

So be careful about restrictions on tickets.  Be aware of charges for overweight baggage and remember that many of the very CHEAP fares you see in the Travel section of the local Papers are fares that are quoted, “without taxes”  Taxes can really add up.  

Have fun and happy travels.

Answer 5

I work for American Airlines as a ticket agent. Unless you plan on going to more than one city in Pairs than no I would say you could book the flight by yourself. If you are 15 years old you can fly as an adult. You will need your passport. For the chepest flight I would cheek all the web sites that you could think of. Hope this helps