I have also made mistakes online but was content that they were MY mistakes! There are many reasons that I now book online and, usually directly with the supplier of the service - eventhough it will be more expensive.
- I can do this at any time of the day or night that suits me.
- I can pause the research and return to it days later - with call centre that is very difficult as they would have to go back over the draft plans. For a shop that is possible but I would have to visit the shop multiple times and, probably, have a queue backing up behind me.
- I can spend as long as I like comparing destinations, routes, carriers and aircraft.
- Decide whether to spend Mileage or earn it.
- I can tweak each and every aspect and decide the schedule for us. The last time I booked an inclusive package was more than 20 years ago.
- The spreadsheet can be extensive and complicated.
- Take time to discuss my findings with my partner and when she can get holiday (I'm self-employed so can take what I want).
- You learn to watch out for websites that, when you go back a step to alter one aspect, then reset one or more fields to their default.
- I sometimes use the aggregation and 3rd party sites for research but, by paying the supplier directly, I know that, if something goes wrong - I have control of the booking and can deal directly with them.
- If I cost me money by a mistake - I will forgive me!
Currently, we are discussing where to go with a BA 2-4-1 voucher and I can test availability and price for a destination in just a few minutes, as I did last night.