Debby

A Travel agent told me that if I do everything online, when I get to a hotel, they may not honor the res I have through e-mail.I hope this is a TA story in order to get me to use them. I worked with 2 agents on this trip, and both only wanted me to book through a tour. Neither one was willing to find hotels for me.After 9/11, I wanted the flexibility of being able to cancel easier than a tour would allow. 4PM the day before sounded better than what tour groups offered. Debby

Rex

It sounds like major TA pulling your leg. I have never had a problem with reservations made or confirmed by e-mail.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Joe

For our trips to Germany last in 2000 and 2001 we made all of our reservations by email. All but two were directly with the hotel. One was through the tourist office in Aachen. The other was through Reisen mit Preisen. Every reservation was honored by the hotel.

John

Debbie:<BR><BR>I have made hotel reservations on line for stays in Australia, New Zealand and England. Not to mention the US. Never a bit of trouble. Just follow the rules of confirmation numbers and follow up checks.<BR><BR>John

Patrick

To be totally blunt, this is a no-brainer. Let's see, a travel agent makes a lot of money booking you on a tour. A travel agent makes nothing if you book directly by the internet. Which do you think he'd recommend?<BR>I have booked as many as 52 hotels in Europe for one long trip and have never had an email reservation refused.

Debby

I am now so excited about this trip. I've always wanted to go to Europe with some flexibility. Now with all of your help, I plan on booking the major sights we want to see through the hotels, and then I plan to enjoy Itlay. If we want to stay longer on a street watching the crowds, we will do it. this sight has given me the confidence I need to do just that! Thanks again guys. Debby

Carolyn

I've made all of my travel arrangements online including airfare, hotels, car rental and transfer services, for many years. I've booked hotels in Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice and Barcelona with zero problems. In fact, I find online reservations to be more concrete; you have written confirmation of everything you've arranged.

Diane

I always book on-line for overseas hotels and cars. Never had a problem like the one you mentioned. Some hotels have stiff cancellation policies, so it's best to know before you make the reservation what their cancellation policy is. It's usually the large American style hotels that let you cancel up til the last day.

Bob

I booked several hotels on-line in France last summer, with no problem. They confirmed, and provided cancellation info., etc. which was very clear. Like any hotel, you could always double check the week before leaving if you are wary.

Dan

I think booking on line is safer as long as you print out the confirmation and bring it with you on your trip. This way if there is a problem with a room, money or anything else, you can present the establishment with the regular agreement<BR>that they sent to you.

Maurice

I agree with Dan above. Have a hard copy of your reservation.<BR>A reservation is the same either way - if the hotelier has some guarantee (most want Visa or MC) you have a room. If you Emailed, phoned, or had a Travel Agent do it, and gave no guarantee - well, you're taking a chance.<BR>Side note - for credit card confirmations, some hotels may require a fax signature; they need something in writing to charge a credit card. I don't know if TA's have some "special network" to guarantee reservations, but the effect is the same.<BR>I also used "In Italy" (I think it was) for a stay in a hotel near Orvieto. It turned out to be the best deal of all - a country club on a lake with a great view and facilities.

elvira

I've never used a travel agent to book a hotel; in the old days, I did it by post. In the recent past, by fax. The last two+ years, by e-mail. The only problem I've ever had was when the hotel couldn't read my writing, and that was easily resolved.<BR><BR>Print out the email reply confirming your reservation, and you should have no problems (the printout helps if your check-in clerk speaks little English; s/he can read your name and dates off the email, and the name of the person who confirmed the reservation).<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip - oh, wait, you're going to Italy. How could you NOT enjoy your trip! <BR><BR>A couple of sidebars - even if you've not secured your hotel with a credit card, have the courtesy to call the hotel if you need to cancel. Lots of hotels are small operations, and a no-show is a financial burden. If you're going to be late, call the hotel and tell them so they'll hold your room.

Bob C

Yes they may not honor your e-mail reservation just like they may not honor the reservation made by your travel agent. My wife and I like the others that have posted have had better bookings using e-mail or online then when we used to write or phone.