|
Originally Posted by Jasper2009
(Post 28644950)
Welcome to Flyertalk!:)
I don't think it's necessarily bad form to get in touch with a few award booking services to ask some general questions, but you may want to make it very clear that it is not a specific request to search for availability. The way award booking services generally work is that the client provides their details regarding preferred destination, number of miles etc. and they're successful in finding availability the client is expected to pay the consulting fee.
Originally Posted by viperbrown
(Post 28874516)
For me, a good award booking service needs to have a minute listening ability and honest customer service in order to be effective.
PM me for details. eJuicyMiles - John showed some ideas but was very unresponsive. I had to constantly follow-up. One month after submitting my form online I called off the search. John was very customer friendly though and his ideas were thoughtful, and would try them again. AwardButler - Steffen was great and is based in Dubai. He listened to my preferences, was very responsive, offered suggestions in order to show well-informed ideas and was very customer friendly. I'd definitely run my next search by Steffen. Luxury Consulting - Jasper2009 was AWESOME and is based in Canada. He was high touch and very responsive, asked questions and offered suggestions in order to show well-informed ideas. Most importantly, he listened minutely to everything I mentioned and accounted for it in his suggestions. He found the iconic flights I was looking for, and was even monitoring for better options that could open up closer to departure. He does more than award bookings, including end-to-end travel consulting and luxury hotel bookings as well. Needless to say, I'd run my next search by them. I've never used an award booking service, but have referred friends to MileValue and others. I'm curious to know what you'd be asking if you were to "run my next search by them..." prior to hiring them to actually do the search. What type of response would you expect prior to committing with them? |
Originally Posted by AWARDBird Team
(Post 28199586)
Hello,
We would like to have our AwardBird booking service added to the list. We charge: - Economy Class Tickets: $39 for the 1-st passenger and $19 for each additional - Business/First Class Tickets: $69 for the 1-st passenger and $39 for each additional. We do not charge expedited service fee. Other details can be found here: https://awardbird.com/how-it-works Best regards, AwardBird Team F Y I Just checked your website. Your quoted prices do not match what you say here. |
Originally Posted by StartinSanDiego
(Post 28896419)
Welcome to FT, viperbrown. That was an excellent post.
I've never used an award booking service, but have referred friends to MileValue and others. I'm curious to know what you'd be asking if you were to "run my next search by them..." prior to hiring them to actually do the search. What type of response would you expect prior to committing with them? The general modus operandi I've experienced seems to be: the client first specifies desired route, class of service and miles/points balances. This happens either via an online form or via email. Then typically the service provider offers feedback on whether it looks like a plausible search and whether they'd like to work on it. This is the stage of the process where I've seen services taking different paths. Most services are like BookYourAward and AwardButler, where they show the client specific flights and routings that they've been able to find. If these don't work for the client for any reason then the client typically doesn't have to pay. Some services like Luxury Consulting share broad strokes about what they've been able to find, and if these look good then the client pays in order to see the specific details. Hope that helps! |
Some great suggestions and feedback on this thread. Thank you for providing all of these options, I'll be sure to report back with our experience.
|
Here's a question for the community.:)
1) As most people probably know, the basic business model behind all award booking services is that the client sends over their desired origin/destination, stopovers, mileage/points balances, dates, preferred class of service etc. and the award booking service conducts a search. The client usually only pays the consulting fee if an itinerary is found that meets all the criteria set out by the clients; and most services charge nothing if no routing is found (although a few charge a nominal fee for "just looking") 2) In terms of the actual process, different services take slightly different approaches: - some ask for a credit card at the very beginning to ensure the client doesn't just run off - some ask for a non-refundable deposit - some will do all the work and present their findings first and send an invoice later trusting the client won't just run off with the flight information - and some services (incl. mine) send over a general overview, but no detailed flight information (e.g. "short-haul flight from your home city to another hub followed by a 3h connection and a non-stop flight in First class to your destination on an Asian *A airline (excl. Air China) on one of the two preferred dates") before payment or a deposit is made 3) Regardless of the approach, any good award booking service will attempt to tweak the itinerary until the client is happy ("could I have a longer connection in ABC?", "any chance avoiding airline xyz?") ------ So recently I spent several hours and exchanged over two dozen e-mails with a client (who's an experienced and knowledgable FTer). He's happy with the general routing, number of miles, dates etc.; he even initiates the transfer of his credit card points to the FFP and informs me that he'll book the following day upon hearing back from his tour guide. Then the client goes silent (except for a quick update that he hasn't heard back from the guide yet). Two weeks later, after my sending another follow-up e-mail, he informs me that he's found a different/better routing and he's all set. My response was along the lines "well, I spent several hours working on your itinerary, we exchanged over two dozen e-mails regarding this booking, you agreed to the general routing, so it would be nice if you still paid the attached invoice". Client's perspective is that it's unreasonable to ask for payment since he didn't go through with the booking. Debate Question: Is it reasonable to ask for a (partial) payment? :) (FWIW, after some back and forth I offered to 50% discount off my usual fee.) Regardless, while this has never been an issue in the past, I'll make sure to add a "if you ask for a service and we complete >80% of the work and you're happy with the results, you're expected to go through with the purchase" clause. |
Originally Posted by Jasper2009
(Post 28989016)
Here's a question for the community.:)
1) As most people probably know, the basic business model behind all award booking services is that the client sends over their desired origin/destination, stopovers, mileage/points balances, dates, preferred class of service etc. and the award booking service conducts a search. The client usually only pays the consulting fee if an itinerary is found that meets all the criteria set out by the clients; and most services charge nothing if no routing is found (although a few charge a nominal fee for "just looking") 2) In terms of the actual process, different services take slightly different approaches: - some ask for a credit card at the very beginning to ensure the client doesn't just run off - some ask for a non-refundable deposit - some will do all the work and present their findings first and send an invoice later trusting the client won't just run off with the flight information - and some services (incl. mine) send over a general overview, but no detailed flight information (e.g. "short-haul flight from your home city to another hub followed by a 3h connection and a non-stop flight in First class to your destination on an Asian *A airline (excl. Air China) on one of the two preferred dates") before payment or a deposit is made 3) Regardless of the approach, any good award booking service will attempt to tweak the itinerary until the client is happy ("could I have a longer connection in ABC?", "any chance avoiding airline xyz?") ------ So recently I spent several hours and exchanged over two dozen e-mails with a client (who's an experienced and knowledgable FTer). He's happy with the general routing, number of miles, dates etc.; he even initiates the transfer of his credit card points to the FFP and informs me that he'll book the following day upon hearing back from his tour guide. Then the client goes silent (except for a quick update that he hasn't heard back from the guide yet). Two weeks later, after my sending another follow-up e-mail, he informs me that he's found a different/better routing and he's all set. My response was along the lines "well, I spent several hours working on your itinerary, we exchanged over two dozen e-mails regarding this booking, you agreed to the general routing, so it would be nice if you still paid the attached invoice". Client's perspective is that it's unreasonable to ask for payment since he didn't go through with the booking. Debate Question: Is it reasonable to ask for a (partial) payment? :) (FWIW, after some back and forth I offered to 50% discount off my usual fee.) Regardless, while this has never been an issue in the past, I'll make sure to add a "if you ask for a service and we complete >80% of the work and you're happy with the results, you're expected to go through with the purchase" clause. I had two good bookings three years ago, first one was just starting out, I was pleased and sent him $ 25 over the agreed price. Second time he wasted ten days of my time without a single suggestion! Nowadays I hear he lectures at FTU (?). The second one did a good fast job, never responded ! Third one insisted I accept what he came up with, never mind mismatch with my written directions. Wrote me an almost two page legal sounding letter. I don't see his name around FT anymore. Also found out he was a lawyer ! |
Originally Posted by Jasper2009
(Post 28989016)
Regardless, while this has never been an issue in the past, I'll make sure to add a "if you ask for a service and we complete >80% of the work and you're happy with the results, you're expected to go through with the purchase" clause.
There are at least two sides to every story, and I've only heard yours, but it sounds to me like you had a bad client. |
I'd atleast expect your client to have come back with the better routing/deal he found and ask you to reduce your fee if possible.
As a courtesy. |
Moderator's Note:
Reminder:
Award booking services reviews which based upon content and posting history appear to have been solicited by the service providers (you know who you are) will be deleted. For example, reviewed by brand new members who have posted nowhere else and seemingly joined FlyerTalk solely for the purpose of posting a positive review. TWA884 Moderator |
Do the solicited posts actually work?
Do any FTers bite on these services because someone new posts a recommendation in this thread? Otherwise you'd think these booking services would have stopped doing fake posts. Or maybe they're just low-rent advertising from services which have no other means to advertise. |
Originally Posted by Jasper2009
(Post 28989016)
Here's a question for the community.:)
1) As most people probably know, the basic business model behind all award booking services is that the client sends over their desired origin/destination, stopovers, mileage/points balances, dates, preferred class of service etc. and the award booking service conducts a search. The client usually only pays the consulting fee if an itinerary is found that meets all the criteria set out by the clients; and most services charge nothing if no routing is found (although a few charge a nominal fee for "just looking") 2) In terms of the actual process, different services take slightly different approaches: - some ask for a credit card at the very beginning to ensure the client doesn't just run off - some ask for a non-refundable deposit - some will do all the work and present their findings first and send an invoice later trusting the client won't just run off with the flight information - and some services (incl. mine) send over a general overview, but no detailed flight information (e.g. "short-haul flight from your home city to another hub followed by a 3h connection and a non-stop flight in First class to your destination on an Asian *A airline (excl. Air China) on one of the two preferred dates") before payment or a deposit is made 3) Regardless of the approach, any good award booking service will attempt to tweak the itinerary until the client is happy ("could I have a longer connection in ABC?", "any chance avoiding airline xyz?") ------ So recently I spent several hours and exchanged over two dozen e-mails with a client (who's an experienced and knowledgable FTer). He's happy with the general routing, number of miles, dates etc.; he even initiates the transfer of his credit card points to the FFP and informs me that he'll book the following day upon hearing back from his tour guide. Then the client goes silent (except for a quick update that he hasn't heard back from the guide yet). Two weeks later, after my sending another follow-up e-mail, he informs me that he's found a different/better routing and he's all set. My response was along the lines "well, I spent several hours working on your itinerary, we exchanged over two dozen e-mails regarding this booking, you agreed to the general routing, so it would be nice if you still paid the attached invoice". Client's perspective is that it's unreasonable to ask for payment since he didn't go through with the booking. Debate Question: Is it reasonable to ask for a (partial) payment? :) (FWIW, after some back and forth I offered to 50% discount off my usual fee.) Regardless, while this has never been an issue in the past, I'll make sure to add a "if you ask for a service and we complete >80% of the work and you're happy with the results, you're expected to go through with the purchase" clause. |
Originally Posted by wco81
(Post 29040904)
Do the solicited posts actually work?
Do any FTers bite on these services because someone new posts a recommendation in this thread? Otherwise you'd think these booking services would have stopped doing fake posts. Or maybe they're just low-rent advertising from services which have no other means to advertise. In my judgement, for all practical purposes, these solicited reviews are commercial in nature and thus are in violation of FlyerTalk Rule 10. While we make a limited exception to that rule in the Travel Tools forum and allow vendors to explain their services and answer questions about their products, FlyerTalk is not a marketplace or a venue to solicit business, which is what these solicited posts are all about. |
Great experience with Luxury Consulting
Long-time lurker here.
Having read this incredibly helpful set of reviews below, I went ahead and worked with Jasper2009 of Luxury Consulting. I can't say enough good things. In looking to pull-off a trip to New Zealand (hard destination) over Christmas / New Year's (hardest timing, w relatively short notice), he really came through. Will be flying some pretty sweet first/business products. Consulting fee was very reasonable in light of the above-and-beyond elbow grease required and the great level of responsiveness. Plus, plenty of great destination-related advice...the man is very well-travelled. Won't hesitate to work with him again in the future.
Originally Posted by viperbrown
(Post 28874516)
New member on FT and looking forward to contributing and sharing in the community.
To start off, I typically do my own award searches but sometimes I'm looking for hard to get cabin classes on certain airlines and/or am in a time crunch. Have used a few award booking services and here are my quick reviews. For me, a good award booking service needs to have a minute listening ability and honest customer service in order to be effective. PM me for details. FlightFox - Used them twice. Decent online system. The first time, I had Roland who was on-point and found us solid flights for our miles balances for our honeymoon. He was cold but effective. Second time around I had Tomas who was a combination of generally unresponsive, incorrect and horrible to the point that I had to reach a resolution with the company founder. BookYourAward - This is Gary Leff's company. Decent online system that connects with AwardWallet. They were great about offering phone calls to chat through as well so initially offered a sense of expertise. They didn't really listen to my preferences and were pushy about booking immediately whatever they found. They were generally unresponsive and sometimes incorrect, and I was rarely connecting with one person. I ended up booking one leg they recommended and the other leg by myself. They were great about not charging me as their recommendations didn't meet my preferences. They said they would monitor for better options closer to departure but I never heard from them one way or the other. AwardBird - Snazzy automated system with a little human support from Andrei. Probably hard to work with if you have flexibility in airports and dates as they are so automated and form driven. JuicyMiles - John showed some ideas but was very unresponsive. I had to constantly follow-up. One month after submitting my form online I called off the search. John was very customer friendly though and his ideas were thoughtful, and would try them again. AwardButler - Steffen was great and is based in Dubai. He listened to my preferences, was very responsive, offered suggestions in order to show well-informed ideas and was very customer friendly. I'd definitely run my next search by Steffen. Luxury Consulting - Jasper2009 was AWESOME and is based in Canada. He was high touch and very responsive, asked questions and offered suggestions in order to show well-informed ideas. Most importantly, he listened minutely to everything I mentioned and accounted for it in his suggestions. He found the iconic flights I was looking for, and was even monitoring for better options that could open up closer to departure. He does more than award bookings, including end-to-end travel consulting and luxury hotel bookings as well. Needless to say, I'd run my next search by them. |
RTW Award booking services experience
Has anyone had good or bad experiences with award booking services for RTW tickets?
I am looking for references to choose a provider. Thanks! |
Moderator's Note
Reminder:
Award booking services reviews which based upon content and posting history appear to have been solicited by the service providers (you know who you are) will be deleted. For example, reviewed by brand new members who have posted nowhere else and seemingly joined FlyerTalk solely for the purpose of posting a positive review. Additional posts(s) have been deleted. If you are a brand new or a member with a low post count and wish that your post not be deleted, please make sure to include the following information in your review; program(s), number of miles or points, and desired destinations and hotels. Also include the airlines, routing and hotels booked by the award booking service, the number of points used to book that trip and the fee charged. Thank you for understanding. TWA884 Moderator |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:01 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.