Reserving flights through Road Scholar

It is much easier to let RS do the booking and then be on the hook to get you there, provide transfers, etc. I do book myself but am a very experienced travel planner and wish to get the flights I want with convenient routing and times on my preferred airlines where I have executive status and can usually get some sort of upgrade. I do end up paying more than I would with RS, but to me it is worth the extra expense not to always be in economy with some unusual flight routes and times that RS chooses.

It is much easier to let RS do the booking and then be on the hook to get you there, provide transfers, etc. I do book myself but am a very experienced travel planner and wish to get the flights I want with convenient routing and times on my preferred airlines where I have executive status and can usually get some sort of upgrade. I do end up paying more than I would with RS, but to me it is worth the extra expense not to always be in economy with some unusual flight routes and times that RS chooses.

I had RS book a flight from Portland Oregon to LAX to connect with their flight to French Polynesia. I assumed it was a good price. Turned out to be over $300. I later priced it on Alaska airlines at. $199. I book my own flights now.

RS (Holbrook Travel) can do personalized flights too. I did explore my preferred airline and didn't like the options, too many connections and length of time. Holbrook Travel gave me a difference airline with better connections at about the same price. I also had my flight upgraded to first/business class. On my next international RS trip, I entered my preferred airline, TSA precheck number in the profile. Also requested business class flight and that was automatically updated on the total program cost. I just have to work through RS for the flight from my hometown to program city of departure. RS seems to making it easier to travel especially when it's up to the client to get to the first point. I was unsure of the program itinerary statement saying a RS representative will meet arrivals at the airport for group flights only on my recent Costa Rica trip. I was surprised to see a RS sign and asked about it and he was meeting 4 of 7 of us on the program. We came in at the same time on different airlines.

RS may not always be the cheapest. In addition, if you do it on your own, you know what you are getting. Who wants 2-3 stops going international.