Trailfinders has been named the best high street travel agent in the UK, according to a new survey by consumer champion Which?. The survey of more than 2,500 people found that 94 per cent of customers were satisfied with their experience, with 60 per cent citing the desire to talk through options with a real person and 36 per cent needing help with a complex itinerary.
Trailfinders scored 90 per cent across its 47 shops, praised for agents that “go the extra mile”. Miles Morgan Travel came second with 87 per cent, receiving full marks for customer service and quality of travel. Althams Travel in northern England also impressed with an 85 per cent score for seamless booking experiences and high customer care.
Co-op Travel, Fred Olsen Travel and Hays Travel each achieved an 84 per cent rating, with five stars for customer service. However, Which? noted that Co-op Travel and Fred Olsen are not recommended providers because they would not commit to never surcharging customers. Trailfinders, Miles Morgan Travel, Althams Travel and Hays Travel are all Which? recommended providers.
Flight Centre and Virgin Holidays scored 76 per cent, while all surveyed agents received four stars for value for money. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Travel agents offer exceptional customer service and unrivalled travel knowledge, and are well worth considering for your next big holiday. It’s a chance to pop down to your local high street, have a cup of tea and chat with someone knowledgeable about where you want to go.”
Boland advised customers to check that any package bought is with an ATOL-protected provider on the Civil Aviation Authority website to ensure money is safe if the operator goes bust.
