When the Internet really took off in the early 1990s and airlines and hotels realized this newfangled Web thingy could be a real boon for marketing and potential bookings, savvy shoppers took the cue. Online travel agencies – at least those of any repute – hadn't even emerged, but that's what made it so satisfying for those who weren't afraid of a little detective work.

Finding a bargain flight, a cheapo car rental, a few motel deals for driving vacations, and, of course, nabbing those extra-special savings at a Vegas hotel or Whistler resort took time and research, but the rewards were almost psychological in magnitude. After all, beating the system – and saving money – is always good for the soul.

Today, with the assistance of online agencies, anyone can book a trip virtually anywhere within a few minutes of booting up the old PC. Some of the most popular Canadian sites are Expedia (www.expedia.ca), Travelocity (www.travelocity.ca), SellOffVacations.com (www.selloffvacations.com), and exitnow.ca (www.exitnow.ca). And there are dozens more.

Indeed, depending on your situation, you may not need the Internet at all. If, for example, you’re headed for a destination with which you’re not at all familiar, if you just don’t have the time or the desire to get involved, or if you’re looking for an all-inclusive, full meal deal package, your friendly neighbourhood brick and mortar travel agent remains a viable option. Moreover (and don't tell anyone you read it here), some nefarious consumers will play one against the other – grabbing a good deal from an online agent and taking that deal to their local agent for a slam-dunk price smackdown.

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