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FatCat article: Book your holiday online and save big

The internet has opened up the world for travellers, as well as for destinations that in former decades struggled to get international exposure. The result is a plethora of websites offering cheap flights, tours, hotels, car rentals, even a sofa on which to crash – all of which you can arrange and book yourself. But the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, meaning the days of the travel agent are not quite over.

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So how do you know if you’re ready to book your entire holiday online?

Tags: booking, holidays, online

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Permalink Reply by Warren on September 14, 2008 at 11:54

Anyone who's using this site really should be able to book online. I do it all the time, and I've got to tell you, with the amount I save I'm able to go on more holidays!

You really can get massive discounts, and it doesn't take long at all. Domestic flights are the one where I save the most. I open up the Virgin Blue and Qantas websites, and then scroll through to get the best rates in no time at all. Easy as pie.

Virgin Blue website
Qantas website
Webjet (compares both and takes a commission)

Hotels are just as easy. Again, I open up a few screens to be able to compare them side by side:

Wotif
Lastminute (secret hotels)
Needitnow (secret deals)

The same hotels generally appear on the three sites, and one of them is bound to have a bargain of some sort. The "mystery" hotel specials are great, where you don't know exactly which hotel you're staying at, although you do know the city, suburb and number of stars. At the end of the day, unless you travel all the time and know all the hotels, it's a bit of a "mystery" until you get there anyway.

In no time you're away, and at about half the price.

Warren

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Permalink Reply by Natalie Bochenski on September 14, 2008 at 17:32

Hey Warren - thanks for the heads-up on the "mystery" hotels!

I hadn't discovered that one yet - it sounds great!

My article wasn't intended to put people off booking travel and accommodation online; rather, to work out if they're going to be the kind of person relaxed and happy about doing it. I believe the travel agent still has a role to help those easily frustrated, or techno-phobic, or too busy!

Congrats on being such an online travel whiz. ;)

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