Travel sites or travel agents?
Oct 12, 2011, 7:31 pm
#16
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Would TAs generally have access to consolidation fares?
Oct 13, 2011, 9:58 am
#18
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You need to deal with TA that sells large volume of a specific airline to a specific destination.
Example: TA sells 20,000 tickets with one airline specifically aaa-bbb, then the TA is in a position to negotiate their cost per ticket form the airlines wholesale, some of these tickets will not earn FF awards for the flyer. They either benefit from the escalated commission due to volume or commit to a certain number of tickets per year
My example: When I fly to HKG I deal with a TA in DTW who has the best DL fares to HKG. When I fly to MNL I deal with a local Filipino TA who works with a TA in LAX.
Oct 13, 2011, 10:06 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
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If air travel were part of a perfect world, well I could surely live without my travel agent.
That said, the more "miserable" an experience air travel becomes, the more I need my agent. Flight cancelled at the airport ? Wait on line with 100 people or more to "see a customer service agent ?" No way in hell, for me a quick call to my agent who quickly reaccomodates me on another flight, that is a service from him I cannot live without.
Penny wise, pound foolish ? I'm no internet idiot!
Worldspan
That said, the more "miserable" an experience air travel becomes, the more I need my agent. Flight cancelled at the airport ? Wait on line with 100 people or more to "see a customer service agent ?" No way in hell, for me a quick call to my agent who quickly reaccomodates me on another flight, that is a service from him I cannot live without.
Penny wise, pound foolish ? I'm no internet idiot!
Worldspan
Oct 13, 2011, 10:46 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
IT IS POSSIBLE
NO, you need to deal with destination specific TAs
YES
You need to deal with TA that sells large volume of a specific airline to a specific destination.
Example: TA sells 20,000 tickets with one airline specifically aaa-bbb, then the TA is in a position to negotiate their cost per ticket form the airlines wholesale, some of these tickets will not earn FF awards for the flyer. They either benefit from the escalated commission due to volume or commit to a certain number of tickets per year
My example: When I fly to HKG I deal with a TA in DTW who has the best DL fares to HKG. When I fly to MNL I deal with a local Filipino TA who works with a TA in LAX.
NO, you need to deal with destination specific TAs
YES
You need to deal with TA that sells large volume of a specific airline to a specific destination.
Example: TA sells 20,000 tickets with one airline specifically aaa-bbb, then the TA is in a position to negotiate their cost per ticket form the airlines wholesale, some of these tickets will not earn FF awards for the flyer. They either benefit from the escalated commission due to volume or commit to a certain number of tickets per year
My example: When I fly to HKG I deal with a TA in DTW who has the best DL fares to HKG. When I fly to MNL I deal with a local Filipino TA who works with a TA in LAX.
Oct 13, 2011, 1:19 pm
#21
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Whilst I suspect that may be how it ultimately works (high volume), my TA is very low volume, but does a fantastic job at getting discounted (by a good amount in most cases) business and first airline tickets. I suspect he has a network of other TAs and they work together, because he certainly doesn't sell large numbers to a specific destination.
Yes when a TA has been in the business and networked with other TAs long enough they will know who they can get low cost fare from and the seller will know who they are dealing with.
Oct 13, 2011, 4:52 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM MM SC; GE; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond
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If air travel were part of a perfect world, well I could surely live without my travel agent.
That said, the more "miserable" an experience air travel becomes, the more I need my agent. Flight cancelled at the airport ? Wait on line with 100 people or more to "see a customer service agent ?" No way in hell, for me a quick call to my agent who quickly reaccomodates me on another flight, that is a service from him I cannot live without.
That said, the more "miserable" an experience air travel becomes, the more I need my agent. Flight cancelled at the airport ? Wait on line with 100 people or more to "see a customer service agent ?" No way in hell, for me a quick call to my agent who quickly reaccomodates me on another flight, that is a service from him I cannot live without.
As the owner of a travel business, I'll throw in my .02 - although I am not a retail travel agent. I operate group tours but when a friend wants travel assistance, I always help.
A former co-worker contacted me a while ago seeking vacation advice. I spent a considerable amount of time putting together a well-thought out response with a number of ideas. Never heard from him again... until he had a problem with the trip he'd booked for himself. When things go wrong, it's your travel agent that can help you, not Expedia or Travelocity.
Oct 13, 2011, 6:03 pm
#23
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
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That's exactly when a travel agent comes in handy - when you have a problem.
As the owner of a travel business, I'll throw in my .02 - although I am not a retail travel agent. I operate group tours but when a friend wants travel assistance, I always help.
A former co-worker contacted me a while ago seeking vacation advice. I spent a considerable amount of time putting together a well-thought out response with a number of ideas. Never heard from him again... until he had a problem with the trip he'd booked for himself. When things go wrong, it's your travel agent that can help you, not Expedia or Travelocity.
As the owner of a travel business, I'll throw in my .02 - although I am not a retail travel agent. I operate group tours but when a friend wants travel assistance, I always help.
A former co-worker contacted me a while ago seeking vacation advice. I spent a considerable amount of time putting together a well-thought out response with a number of ideas. Never heard from him again... until he had a problem with the trip he'd booked for himself. When things go wrong, it's your travel agent that can help you, not Expedia or Travelocity.
Oct 14, 2011, 3:57 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
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As air travel becomes more "broken" he becomes even more valuable to me than ever before
Worldspan
Oct 14, 2011, 7:50 am
#25
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I have a 24/7 contact number, I suspect that whilst not toll free, I could reverse the charges if I wanted to.
Oct 14, 2011, 8:02 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
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One of my best friends is a travel agent and her clients can call her 24/7... and they do.
Oct 15, 2011, 12:21 am
#27
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I have my agents cell and he encourages me to contact him yes, 24/7 for any kind of situation that arises. Ultimately he is an advocate for me and does all the "dirty work" for me while I just back and relax and attend to other matters.
As air travel becomes more "broken" he becomes even more valuable to me than ever before
Worldspan
As air travel becomes more "broken" he becomes even more valuable to me than ever before
Worldspan
On an FFP, I imagine I would be stuck dealing with AE.. but on a paid rtw, or transatlantic flight.. it sounds like booking with a knowledgeable TA has its benefits.^
Oct 17, 2011, 4:18 pm
#28
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I second the suggestion that complex itineraries, group trips or other situations where you want personalized hand-holding throughout the trip warrant using an agent. Regular domestic itineraries generally do not.
I will add another item to consider - some agents have access to special programs that an orbitz.com or expedia could only dream of.
I am a travel agent - and we have access to special upgrade programs on a number of airlines that allow you to buy coach and fly business or buy business and fly first. Most corporate agencies do not have access to these programs.
If you're a frequent overseas traveler, have some fare flexibility, and want to sit up front most of the time (if space is available) without cashing in your miles, these programs are for you.
We also have access to special 'waiver' desks at many large airlines - some are more generous than others, but we can overbook space, waive advance fare requirements, get seats unblocked, etc.
I will add another item to consider - some agents have access to special programs that an orbitz.com or expedia could only dream of.
I am a travel agent - and we have access to special upgrade programs on a number of airlines that allow you to buy coach and fly business or buy business and fly first. Most corporate agencies do not have access to these programs.
If you're a frequent overseas traveler, have some fare flexibility, and want to sit up front most of the time (if space is available) without cashing in your miles, these programs are for you.
We also have access to special 'waiver' desks at many large airlines - some are more generous than others, but we can overbook space, waive advance fare requirements, get seats unblocked, etc.
Oct 17, 2011, 8:11 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
I second the suggestion that complex itineraries, group trips or other situations where you want personalized hand-holding throughout the trip warrant using an agent. Regular domestic itineraries generally do not.
I will add another item to consider - some agents have access to special programs that an orbitz.com or expedia could only dream of.
I am a travel agent - and we have access to special upgrade programs on a number of airlines that allow you to buy coach and fly business or buy business and fly first. Most corporate agencies do not have access to these programs.
If you're a frequent overseas traveler, have some fare flexibility, and want to sit up front most of the time (if space is available) without cashing in your miles, these programs are for you.
We also have access to special 'waiver' desks at many large airlines - some are more generous than others, but we can overbook space, waive advance fare requirements, get seats unblocked, etc.
I will add another item to consider - some agents have access to special programs that an orbitz.com or expedia could only dream of.
I am a travel agent - and we have access to special upgrade programs on a number of airlines that allow you to buy coach and fly business or buy business and fly first. Most corporate agencies do not have access to these programs.
If you're a frequent overseas traveler, have some fare flexibility, and want to sit up front most of the time (if space is available) without cashing in your miles, these programs are for you.
We also have access to special 'waiver' desks at many large airlines - some are more generous than others, but we can overbook space, waive advance fare requirements, get seats unblocked, etc.
Seems hairy enough for me to try and book one, let alone trying to endure one..
Sounds like I should pay my way and get some assistance.. at least the first time go around..
Oct 17, 2011, 8:43 pm
#30
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Whilst I suspect that may be how it ultimately works (high volume), my TA is very low volume, but does a fantastic job at getting discounted (by a good amount in most cases) business and first airline tickets. I suspect he has a network of other TAs and they work together, because he certainly doesn't sell large numbers to a specific destination.