MarshB,

If you choose to do back-to-back, which is not recommended, do not involve a travel agency.

I have not heard of a story of a consumer who got charged back, however, the number of debit memos like the one you describe gets sent to travel agencies all the time. And travel agencies are stuck because the airlines threaten to pull their plates for non-payment. Whereas, a consumer has a choice not to do business with that airline, the travel agency does not have the same choice.

The travel agency acts as an intermediary between you and the airline and as such, they do not have the deep pockets like the airline. A travel agency would have to sell approx. $26,000 worth of tickets to make up for the $1300 loss you describe. That's a lot of tickets.

Food for thought.