Do you make your air travel bookings online or with a travel agent ?

I actually book online for my brother whenever he comes to visit us. I just go right to the airline's website. The last time I flew though for vacation I used a travel agent in person.

When we went for a vacation in China we made travel booking through a travel agent since we don't know anybody in the area we are going, it includes the hotel room and guide so it is really convenient. We've tried booking online as well and made land arrangement through a travel agent, it did save us some money because the plane ticket cost less but the flight schedule didn't totally fit with the hotel hours and we spend a lot of time in the airport for that matter. I think I will just use online bookings from now on if I will stay with a relative or friend in another country and I won't be needing a hotel room or if I'm not traveling with someone old (like my mom) because it will be not convenient for her.

I have always booked my airline tickets, hotels, and even car rentals online. I have never actually used a travel agent before. I kind of enjoy doing all the research and finding the good deals. I feel totally comfortable doing it myself online, as long as I know I'm going through reputable web sites and companies. I have never had any problems doing it that way so far, and with plane tickets, I usually just call the airline directly after booking the tickets to confirm that the information all went through ok.

To be honest, I have never used a travel agent. I have always booked airfare and hotels online all by myself. I have researched, and read various reviews. I'll read books and check out various websites. But there is one catch to my travel experiences, they have all been within the US. I think, if I were to ever travel abroad I would go to a travel agent. I would really be at a loss and would want the experience of someone behind my travel plans and that I could rely on making sure that things would be planned well.