Funny thing, my Father used to own a travel agency. This is exactly the sort of thing that travel agents were paid to know AND search for. Before the rise of

Funny thing, my Father used to own a travel agency. This is exactly the sort of thing that travel agents were paid to know AND search for. Before the rise of all the internet discount travel sites, travel agents earned their keep by doing all this for you. For better or for worse, that world changed over time. People would come into the agency, sit down for 1 to 2 hours to gather advice and information... then when it came time to book, they'd say somethign to the effect of "well I can book it myself online and save 15%". (Then he'd lose the sale). That or they'd come in, grab one of his travel brochures then book online. I'm not trying to bemoan anything here. He did well with the agency for a number of years and sold out to someone at the end who picked up the 'business travel' (where agents still earn commissions for doing it all for you). Just trying to shed a bit of light on the story from my real life observation of the travel industry. Anyways, kinda interesting way the world has changed. (edit, oh ... I don't think his travel agents ever advised hopping off mid-journey, but then I think they knew how to book it so you'd not have to do that.)