Originally Posted by
A1pax
The online TA said his agency uses another company to issue the tickets, and he is charged about $30 to $50 per ticket.
So he's not a real, IATA approved and plated travel agency. It's a guy who makes reservations and has the tickets issued by a real (read IATA approved) travel agency. That means that he probably doesn't have the financial protections for consumers that IATA requires of approved agencies.
Originally Posted by
A1pax
I requested him about quoting the fares plus his fees (for transparency), but he did not and just gave me one total to pay.
I wouldn't do business with him on this factor alone. No transparency on what you're paying until after you pay? Would you buy a car under those circumstances? I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Consumer Protection Division of your state Attorney General's office had an opinion on pricing which is not transparent, and businesses which decline to explain the pricing when asked.
Originally Posted by
A1pax
Only after the tickets were issued - he did not say which airline would do the plating....
Red flag numbers 2 and 3.
Originally Posted by
A1pax
So I deducted that the TA fees were around $900 per ticket.
I think that that is outrageous, predatory pricing. No wonder he concealed it from you.
Originally Posted by
A1pax
Yes, I do have an amex plat charge card ... but not sure if their agents are versed in pricing RTW tickets.
Don't buy one of these from an agent who doesn't really know what s/he is doing with these fares. They're complicated with lots of rules. If you have doubts about the agent's competence, time to move on. Trust your gut.