Originally Posted by
pilarc
I've always been able to do as well or better than quoted air fares from travel agents. The site I was attempting to book a flight on with Hainan was basically a portal for a travel agency anyhow. Their info was inaccurate and by the time they called me back, any of the "teaser" fares were long gone. I used to work for a travel wholesaler and they went out of business because so many people do use the internet now.
I suppose my point could use a bit of clarification. In China, a sizable percentage of airline tickets are paid for with cash, a reality that often entails in person transactions (at travel agents and/or airline ticket offices). As such, airlines are accustomed to competing for business within this framework.
A quick glance at ctrip just revealed that HU is selling SEA-PEK for y3600 round trip. Even if you tack on an extra Y1200 for taxes/fees, that's a pretty sweet summer fare (that most TAs in China should be able to ticket).
I'd be willing to bet that comparable deals are available state side through bucket shops and consolidators like Gateway and IACE. The same goes for tickets on other Asian airlines as well; Expedia/Orbitz/Travelocity are often hapless with respect to bookings on BR, KE, OZ, CI, CA, etc.