High street agents praised for ‘exceptional’ customer service and ‘unrivalled knowledge’ 

High street travel agents have been given the thumbs up for “exceptional” customer service and “unrivalled knowledge” by consumer champion Which?

Trailfinders topped the table with a score of 90% followed closely by Miles Morgan Travel at 87% and Althams Travel at 85%.

The trio are closely followed by Co-op Travel, Fred Olsen Travel and Hays Travel, all with a score of 84%.

Others on the list are Baileys Travel (82%), Oasis Travel (81%), Kuoni (80%), Tui (79%), Barrhead Travel, Premier Travel and Spear Travels Group (all 78%), Flight Centre and Virgin Holidays (both 76%).  

Customer scores were high across the board. Even those at the bottom of the table, Flight Centre and Virgin Holidays, received a strong score, according to Which?.

All of those surveyed received a score of four stars for value for money, “highlighting how more people should be using them, especially if they often feel overwhelmed when booking a trip themselves”. 

Which? added: “Using these companies can save travellers time and energy when booking, and also means there is someone at the end of the phone if anything goes wrong. 

“While travel agents are unlikely to be cheaper than fly-and-flop packages found online, for further afield or more complex trips, the direct relationships they hold may mean they have access to exclusive deals and bespoke excursions and activities.

“At a time when people are concerned about scams and holiday protection, the added benefit of speaking with a real person provides extra reassurance. 

“Customers can ask questions that are often difficult to answer when booking online and navigating countless add-ons.”

Which? asked more than 1,000 members why they booked with a traditional high street travel agent in the past three years.