AU$ 1000 difference between Online and local travel agent.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: JAL Diamond
Posts: 23
AU$ 1000 difference between Online and local travel agent.
I am just about purchasing a Done5 EX-S. Africa from Local travel agent and the price comes to ZAR 72100, around AUD$10,755,
However, I tried booking myself on the ONE WORLD website, with one leg difference, the price comes to ZAR 64201, around AUD$ 9570.
When I complaint the price difference to S.A travel agent, she told me that online booking tool doesnt need to make commission, so she added 10% for her commission and willing to decrease to 6.5%, which is lower than the standard airline commission fee 7%.
The reason I am purchase the ticket is because
1: I want fly from GRU-NRT as one leg, the online tool wouldnt give me the choice. But at the moment GRU-NRT is waiting listed.
2: if I cant fly GRU-NRT as one leg, I am willing to pay 400 dollars to purchase one extra leg, obvious I cant do it online.
By my understanding, arent travel agents get commission from airlines rather than customers.
Thanks guys.
Best
However, I tried booking myself on the ONE WORLD website, with one leg difference, the price comes to ZAR 64201, around AUD$ 9570.
When I complaint the price difference to S.A travel agent, she told me that online booking tool doesnt need to make commission, so she added 10% for her commission and willing to decrease to 6.5%, which is lower than the standard airline commission fee 7%.
The reason I am purchase the ticket is because
1: I want fly from GRU-NRT as one leg, the online tool wouldnt give me the choice. But at the moment GRU-NRT is waiting listed.
2: if I cant fly GRU-NRT as one leg, I am willing to pay 400 dollars to purchase one extra leg, obvious I cant do it online.
By my understanding, arent travel agents get commission from airlines rather than customers.
Thanks guys.
Best
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
TAs aren't always given commission by airlines, no - it depends on the airline, the ticket type, and the country. She might be able to get a commission if she issued the ticket through a different airline. I have never heard of Mindpearl (AA's GSA in S Africa) wanting to charge commission to the customer.
Last edited by christep; Apr 13, 2010 at 9:44 am
#3




Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS Platinum, AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,668
Based on christep's experience, I advise contacting Mindspring and having them write the ticket with AA as the issuing carrier. In addition to not having to pay 6 - 10% commission, you may find the total price to be lower still (due to minimal AA fuel charges). In addition, when it comes to making free time/date changes, I've found the AA RTW desk to be extremely helpful/accommodating.
#4
Moderator, OneWorld




Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,530
TAs aren't always given commission by airlines, no - it depends on the airline, the ticket type, and the country. She might be able to get a commission if she issued the ticket through a different airline. I have never heard of Mindspring (AA's GSA in S Africa) wanting to charge commission to the customer.
#7
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer




Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF LTG / P1 , LH LT SEN / HON, OZ LT Diamond +, Marriott LT PT, HH Diamond,
Posts: 15,150
The reason I am purchase the ticket is because
1: I want fly from GRU-NRT as one leg, the online tool wouldn’t give me the choice. But at the moment GRU-NRT is waiting listed.
2: if I can’t fly GRU-NRT as one leg, I am willing to pay 400 dollars to purchase one extra leg, obvious I can’t do it online.
1: I want fly from GRU-NRT as one leg, the online tool wouldn’t give me the choice. But at the moment GRU-NRT is waiting listed.
2: if I can’t fly GRU-NRT as one leg, I am willing to pay 400 dollars to purchase one extra leg, obvious I can’t do it online.
Also what exactly do you mean with buying an extra leg? Where and for what? Do you want to go above 16 (which you can't)?
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattDisc.►HiltonGold►ALL Plat.
Posts: 22,331
The 16 segment limit still applies.
Presumably the OP is looking for GRU to somewhere else in S/A then connecting to NRT.
#9
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer




Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF LTG / P1 , LH LT SEN / HON, OZ LT Diamond +, Marriott LT PT, HH Diamond,
Posts: 15,150
An extra leg can be purchased over and above the continental limit. i.e. you can have a 7th intracontinental leg in N/A and a 5th leg in the other continents.
The 16 segment limit still applies.
Presumably the OP is looking for GRU to somewhere else in S/A then connecting to NRT.
The 16 segment limit still applies.
Presumably the OP is looking for GRU to somewhere else in S/A then connecting to NRT.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: JAL Diamond
Posts: 23
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: JAL Diamond
Posts: 23
my plan was
JNB-LHR-MCT-LHR-lax-DFW-ANC-DFW-SJO-JFk-GRU-NRT-CGK-NRT-DPS-HKG-JNB
as i may not get GRU-NRT and not allow to purchase extra leg, I will change it to
JNB-LHR-MCT-LHR-DFW-ANC-DFW-SJO-JFk-xNRT-syd-nrt-CGK-NRT-
DPS-HKG-JNB
JNB-LHR-MCT-LHR-lax-DFW-ANC-DFW-SJO-JFk-GRU-NRT-CGK-NRT-DPS-HKG-JNB
as i may not get GRU-NRT and not allow to purchase extra leg, I will change it to
JNB-LHR-MCT-LHR-DFW-ANC-DFW-SJO-JFk-xNRT-syd-nrt-CGK-NRT-
DPS-HKG-JNB
Last edited by ivansun; Apr 14, 2010 at 12:08 pm
#14
Moderator, OneWorld




Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,530
I believe you will find that you won't be allowed to transit Asia en route to Sydney. Interpretation of the "second Asia entry" rule clause by the airlines has limited its applicability only to Europe < > Oz/NZ routes, not N. America or Africa < > Oz/NZ.
Note you don't have a N. America transcon in the works, so you might look at fitting that in someplace.
Note you don't have a N. America transcon in the works, so you might look at fitting that in someplace.
#15




Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS Platinum, AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,668

