- Share This Post
- submit
- 12
-
Sparkle (0)
When I drove into the gas station in Vancouver,B.C. this weekend, the sign said Full Service. I looked for the self -serv line but couldn't find it.
When I didn't see an attendant coming my way I got out of the car, put my credit card in the scanner--just like at home .However, before I could start pumping, the attendant grabbed the pump out of my hand.
Was I supposed to tip him? He didn't wash my windows, check under the hood, he just pumped. I would have preferred doing it myself.
It's been quite a few years since I enjoyed full service gas stations. It felt odd to have someone doing a job I have gotten used to doing even though I don't exactly like pumping gas particularly in Minnesota's winters.
And so it caught my attention this weekend that some are predicting the return of the travel agent.
In 2008, US travel sales booked online will reach $105 billion, up 12% from 2007. But even though sales are growing, fewer travelers are booking their trips online.
The US Online Travel report analyzes why the dynamics of one of the Internet's most successful categories are changing. The fact that fewer travelers are booking online is not due to economic concerns: online travel bookers are an affluent demographic.
The drop is caused by frustrations related to the planning and booking capabilities of online travel agencies. This, in turn, is spurring a renewed appreciation for the expertise and personalized services offered by traditional travel agents.
I can't even remember the last time I used a travel agent. Pre 9/11?
In the interim I have gotten used to the idea that travel, like pumping gas, is something I do for myself.
And because I know that there are huge variances in price,I have become obsessed with getting the very best deals possible.
To achieve this savings I spend a ridiculous amount of time searching travel discount sites.
Bargain shopping is generally not my MO. I have no idea what the price variances are for eggs in one grocery store vs. another. If I happen to buy clothes on sale its only a fluke. I don't go to clothing stores unless I have to buy something and I have no interest in waiting for it to go on sale.
Travel is another issue. I don't mind investing the time to get the deal. As I write this I am sitting in the Alaska Air Board Room in the Seattle Airport. I am completing a four day trip where I booked air, hotel and car rental at discount travel sites.
The benefit of booking with a discount travel company is the discount. The disadvantage is there is no wiggle room for substitutions and change of plans.
My trip had lots change of plans.Some worked well, others, not so much.
When my friend Dan called at 11:00 on Saturday morning asking me to take my time driving to his home in Bellingham, WA., my bags were already packed and I was just about to shut down my computer to check out of the hotel.
After a brief conversation I suggested that I reschedule the visit. I decided instead of fighting the border traffic I would just stay in Vancouver one more day.
But there was a catch. I had booked my room at the Vancouver Hyatt Regency on Hotwire. I got the room for $159.00 .
When I walked down to guest services to see if I could stay an additional day I was informed that yes they had vacancies and the room would be $302.00
Bryan, who was working the desk, said he could go as low as $243.00 but that was the best he could do. I was not interested.
So I went back to my room and logged on to Hotwire which still had a four star hotel in Vancouver for $159.00. My hunch was that it was the exact hotel I was staying in. So I booked my room and got it at the rate I wanted.
I did have to go back downstairs and exchange keys but that was it. By booking my room on hotwire I saved nearly $100.
Bryan congratulated me on getting the lower room rate. But my question is -- why didn't Bryan give me that rate?
It would have been one thing if the hotel were booked. It would be one thing if Hotwire wasn't still advertising the hotel at the rate of $159. But they were.Wouldn't the hotel have made more money













