Spent $5000 for Executive fare to HK, now AC wants another $25 for changing seat!!
Dec 20, 2008, 9:24 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
AC apologists may not get this, but they cannot deny the FACTS.
Airline ticketing is very specific.
Once a 014 ticket is issued, the airline enters into a contract between themselves and the passenger(s). It's their legal obligation to deal with the passenger. The passenger has no legal contract with the agent.
Airline ticketing is very specific.
Once a 014 ticket is issued, the airline enters into a contract between themselves and the passenger(s). It's their legal obligation to deal with the passenger. The passenger has no legal contract with the agent.
This said, them charging a fee nowadays may somehow cloud the issue and even result in a conflict of interests.
Dec 20, 2008, 10:33 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Even more: the agent is actually an agent *of the airline.* He formally represents the airline. Under a formal contractual arrangement. He is not a representative of the passenger.
This said, them charging a fee nowadays may somehow cloud the issue and even result in a conflict of interests.
This said, them charging a fee nowadays may somehow cloud the issue and even result in a conflict of interests.
Dec 20, 2008, 10:35 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, CAN
Posts: 5,813
Love the post about re-booking on UA and sending the new itin to AC with an explanation.
Dec 20, 2008, 10:44 am
#34
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Unlike some, I won't pretend to be a lawyer, just a lowly TA myself but have read enough conditions of carriage to know the contract to be between passenger and airline, not passenger and TA and renumeration for services rendered by a TA won't change that fact in any way.
I am not a lawyer. But I always see "authorised agent of xxx airline" decals at travel agency windows. On the other hand, passengers pay a fee directly to the travel agent for booking services. Isn't it the case that you work for whoever pays you?
Therefore, are travel agents "dual agents" that a conflict of interest is created when airlines eliminated the commission? Who are the travel agents working/"acting" for?
Last edited by Clipper801; Dec 20, 2008 at 10:53 am
Dec 20, 2008, 10:51 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Unlike some, I won't pretend to be a lawyer, just a lowly TA myself but have read enough conditions of carriage to know the contract to be between passenger and airline, not passenger and TA and renumeration for services rendered by a TA won't change that fact in any way.
(OK, that was a cheap shot, just could not resist.)
No argument that there is a contract between passenger and airline. In which the TA acts as the agent of the airline.
However, if in addition there is a consideration paid by the passenger to the TA, what is it for? Isn't there an implied contract somewhere? Which might result in conflicting obligations on the part of the TA? All about serving two masters. (Or two jealous mistresses.
)But no, I don't have an answer, just throwing into the air dirt that everyone would rather keep under the rug.
Don't take it personally.
Dec 20, 2008, 11:18 am
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Not sure what your numbers are.
(OK, that was a cheap shot, just could not resist.)
No argument that there is a contract between passenger and airline. In which the TA acts as the agent of the airline.
However, if in addition there is a consideration paid by the passenger to the TA, what is it for? Isn't there an implied contract somewhere? Which might result in conflicting obligations on the part of the TA? All about serving two masters. (Or two jealous mistresses.)
But no, I don't have an answer, just throwing into the air dirt that everyone would rather keep under the rug.
Don't take it personally.
(OK, that was a cheap shot, just could not resist.)
No argument that there is a contract between passenger and airline. In which the TA acts as the agent of the airline.
However, if in addition there is a consideration paid by the passenger to the TA, what is it for? Isn't there an implied contract somewhere? Which might result in conflicting obligations on the part of the TA? All about serving two masters. (Or two jealous mistresses.
)But no, I don't have an answer, just throwing into the air dirt that everyone would rather keep under the rug.
Don't take it personally.
I just know that there isn't one set of T&C for tickets bought directly from the airline and another for tickets purchased through a TA.
I am not a lawyer. But I always see "authorised agent of xxx airline" decals at travel agency windows. On the other hand, passengers pay a fee directly to the travel agent for booking services. Isn't it the case that you work for whoever pays you?
Dec 20, 2008, 11:58 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
Nice retort but the rules are clear if stupid.
AC could solve this by allowing people to access and modify their seat selections on-line, like several other airlines do, regardless of where the ticket was purchased.
Maybe IF and WHEN they get their new reservation system in place, some of these features will show-up on-line.
AC could solve this by allowing people to access and modify their seat selections on-line, like several other airlines do, regardless of where the ticket was purchased.
Maybe IF and WHEN they get their new reservation system in place, some of these features will show-up on-line.
Yeah, that'll work.