Looking for TA in Taiwan - Any suggestions?
Dec 19, 2006, 11:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
I sympathize. I'm in Taiwan but have never found a good travel agent here.
I've found them to be careless about detail, personnel's always changing and they seem never to be able to tell you anything by phone. Instead they say they will call you back/email. If they do email you, chances are they are quoting for something other than what you asked for - eg wrong class of ticket, validity, forget to include taxes etc. Or they don't bother to check availability. They rarely coped with FF numbers. I've found few that are open evenings/weekends so you can visit them out of hours and sort something on the spot. A typical story was an agent who said they'd take a credit card. They quote a surcharge and say they can send the ticket to my office. OK no problem. I just need to call them before the close of business. This was around 9.30am. I call back only a few minutes later but can't reach my contact or anyone else who is willing to help. When I get through she says I must first transfer the money to their account. What about the credit card says I. Sorry the delivery man can't process the credit card. Can I collect (although they said delivery would be no problem). No - we're about to close the office. Can you take my CC details by phone? No - we need you to sign the voucher. Well it was 4.30pm - but it was only that late because I'd waited all day for them to return my call to say I wanted the ticket. Many seem to work through informal networks - so really they don't want you to come to their office at all because they can't issue tickets from there.
When planning sales trips from here (mainly to Europe) I avoided them as much as possible by using airline websites - or perhaps using them for a simple return to Europe and then European agents/low cost airline websites to do the rest.
[rant off!]
I remember Steve Fenton who's a regular poster based in Taichung once mentioned he knew a good agent. If he doesn't pick up this thread in the next day or so I'm sure he wouldn't mind a PM.
Welcome to FT by the way!
I've found them to be careless about detail, personnel's always changing and they seem never to be able to tell you anything by phone. Instead they say they will call you back/email. If they do email you, chances are they are quoting for something other than what you asked for - eg wrong class of ticket, validity, forget to include taxes etc. Or they don't bother to check availability. They rarely coped with FF numbers. I've found few that are open evenings/weekends so you can visit them out of hours and sort something on the spot. A typical story was an agent who said they'd take a credit card. They quote a surcharge and say they can send the ticket to my office. OK no problem. I just need to call them before the close of business. This was around 9.30am. I call back only a few minutes later but can't reach my contact or anyone else who is willing to help. When I get through she says I must first transfer the money to their account. What about the credit card says I. Sorry the delivery man can't process the credit card. Can I collect (although they said delivery would be no problem). No - we're about to close the office. Can you take my CC details by phone? No - we need you to sign the voucher. Well it was 4.30pm - but it was only that late because I'd waited all day for them to return my call to say I wanted the ticket. Many seem to work through informal networks - so really they don't want you to come to their office at all because they can't issue tickets from there.
When planning sales trips from here (mainly to Europe) I avoided them as much as possible by using airline websites - or perhaps using them for a simple return to Europe and then European agents/low cost airline websites to do the rest.
[rant off!]
I remember Steve Fenton who's a regular poster based in Taichung once mentioned he knew a good agent. If he doesn't pick up this thread in the next day or so I'm sure he wouldn't mind a PM.
Welcome to FT by the way!
Dec 20, 2006, 6:18 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Taiwan(Taichung) and UK
Programs: ANA PLAT,CI GOLD,LH SEN,Hyatt Gold.
Posts: 3,165
I have no idea why I checked here but I did anyway call Victor 0922936614 he does not mind his number on here and he knows what he is talking about
Dec 20, 2006, 6:20 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Seattle
Posts: 933
Dec 20, 2006, 6:23 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Ahh...I would say try the CX office but then you will end up with CX fuel fines. Victor sounds like the man.
Jan 2, 2007, 11:14 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Seattle
Posts: 933
Victor has been very helpful and run my tickets despite the earthquake knocking out most of the travel systems in Taiwan.
He's approved me posting his email (slightly encripted to reduce his spam): victor atsign goldtravel.com.tw
The only drawback so far is that he is doing paper tickets instead of electronic due to the "number of segments". AA issued my last electronic for the maximum 20 segments so it's possible somewhere. He also needs a faxed signed credit card authorization.
Great service overall.
Thanks for the tip!
Paul
He's approved me posting his email (slightly encripted to reduce his spam): victor atsign goldtravel.com.tw
The only drawback so far is that he is doing paper tickets instead of electronic due to the "number of segments". AA issued my last electronic for the maximum 20 segments so it's possible somewhere. He also needs a faxed signed credit card authorization.
Great service overall.
Thanks for the tip!
Paul
Mar 23, 2007, 5:56 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: NH Super Flyer (*G), Eurostar Carte Blanche, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor ALL Gold
Posts: 912
Victor is a Jewel
Another recommendation for Victor here. He just booked me a complicated *RTW route (TPE-LAX-DEN-JAC-DEN-YUL-LHR-MAN-LHR-BRU-FRA-NRT-AKL-ZQN-CHC-WLG-MEL-SIN-TPE for those interested) and was professional, helpful and courteous throughout. Would recommend strongly! ^
Mar 23, 2007, 10:48 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
eztravel.com.tw
My wife spent last few months in Taiwan with her ailing mother and had to fly in/out few times as only permitted 30 day stay per entry. She used the on-line agency for flights to HK and Singapore and very very competitive.
I had opportunity to try them twice in last 3 wks - once on C class Tpe/KL and once on economy Tpe/Shanghai. Both times, excellent prices, especially given 48-72 hr notice (with longer lead times, dirt cheap prices).
Tpe/HK: economy NT$5-7K depending on lead time. also available 2 nights at 4star hotel, with airfare NT$8K if adequate lead time.
Tpe/Sing: economy, NT$8K
Tpe/KL: normal full fare business class, NT46K, got for NT25K
Tpe/Shanghai: econ via HK $16K, can be had for as low as NT$8K with enough lead time.
We both are fluent in Chinese but on visiting their office, did see several foreign faces....I'm sure they have english speaking staff. Only downside is first time log-in, you need to either visit personally or have local friend help as need to manually put in passport number, etc.
PM for details.
PS - other downside, just got my Amex bill and the billing is not for a air tix which is problematic for me as I automatically pay extra fee for travel insurance...will need to speak with them re this next visit!
I had opportunity to try them twice in last 3 wks - once on C class Tpe/KL and once on economy Tpe/Shanghai. Both times, excellent prices, especially given 48-72 hr notice (with longer lead times, dirt cheap prices).
Tpe/HK: economy NT$5-7K depending on lead time. also available 2 nights at 4star hotel, with airfare NT$8K if adequate lead time.
Tpe/Sing: economy, NT$8K
Tpe/KL: normal full fare business class, NT46K, got for NT25K
Tpe/Shanghai: econ via HK $16K, can be had for as low as NT$8K with enough lead time.
We both are fluent in Chinese but on visiting their office, did see several foreign faces....I'm sure they have english speaking staff. Only downside is first time log-in, you need to either visit personally or have local friend help as need to manually put in passport number, etc.
PM for details.
PS - other downside, just got my Amex bill and the billing is not for a air tix which is problematic for me as I automatically pay extra fee for travel insurance...will need to speak with them re this next visit!
Mar 23, 2007, 9:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: NH Super Flyer (*G), Eurostar Carte Blanche, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor ALL Gold
Posts: 912
Not to play oneupmanship here, but Victor did everything for me by e-mail, in English. He also tweaked the route for me a number of times along the way. I could even split the fare across two credit cards. He also had the tickets delivered free to a friend who was staying in Taipei for a couple of nights. Truly excellent service.
Aug 2, 2007, 3:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: NH Super Flyer (*G), Eurostar Carte Blanche, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor ALL Gold
Posts: 912