Originally Posted by
p_s_92
Hi dsgtc0408,
Thanks for the clarification.
The issue is travel agents or support satff of sites like cheapoair, kayak know little about such things. They refer you to the airline who in turn tell you to contact the person/site/agency from where you purchased the tickets. So, the best bet is fellow travellers who have used that airline and have been in that situation like people in this forum.
In defence of the airlines, the way it works is that tickets issued by travel agents are serviced by them, not the airline. Thus it doesn't surprise me that the airline would tell to to address your questions to the agent. Then again, the airline really ought to know which of their competitors they interline with. It shouldn't be like pulling teeth for you to get the answer to that question. You should be aware that in some instances, if you start your trip and get stuck overseas for whatever reason, on a travel agent issued ticket an airline may direct you back to the travel agent for any type of a ticket reissue or rescheduling even if you and the agent are separated by say an ocean.
On the travel agents, it's worth keeping in mind that they are human. It's the easiest thing in the world to issue sinple round trip tickets (eg MIA/JFK, + return, so two sectors). The moment one starts creating tickets with more than two sectors is precisely when one needs a travel agent - to look after the interests of the traveler with special requirements. Otherwise, why does a travel agent get a commission (at least from the full service, legacy airlines)? The problem is that the low cost consolidator type travel agents make very little commission and are geared towards being ticket
issuing agencies. So if you have to do a multiple sector/multiple carrier itinerary, you need to have done your homework in advance.
Moral to this story? Two:
1) buy your ticket direct from the airline (no agents) if at all possible. Thus in case there's a hiccup you are in a better position to negotiate with the airline. If you need to work with a travel agent, find a personal one where you can work with a specific person. The ticket price may be higher but you'll be better off if something does go wrong.
2) more generally, you have to be willing to look after your own interests proactively, even loudly. Many travel agents will stop caring the moment they issue the ticket and get your cash.
Let's not make too much of a deal out of this. If you handle the overall planning correctly (and find a good travel agent), in all probability everything will go fine.