Good travel agent for global flight bookings
Jan 19, 2018, 10:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,381
Good travel agent for global flight bookings
Like many of you, I don't have a fixed abode (or more accurately, I have several). This means I need a travel agent who can book flights to and from anywhere. My current/previous TA was based in Germany and was excellent - able to book complex itineraries and able to find discounted fares almost anywhere. Unfortunately the poor guy has been diagnosed with cancer and so will be out of action for the foreseeable future.
I know this is probably not the 'correct' forum to post this question but I do think it is the right one and so look forward to your thoughts. If you prefer, you can PM me your recommendations.
I know this is probably not the 'correct' forum to post this question but I do think it is the right one and so look forward to your thoughts. If you prefer, you can PM me your recommendations.
Jan 19, 2018, 10:49 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
At least in the U.S. most travel agents do not book flights unless paid to so. In 2013 the cost was $300 in addition the the airfare. Most I know do their own ticketing, and that usually is more convenient and easier to manage.
Jan 20, 2018, 12:56 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,381
I should have said, I am happy to pay for bookings. Until recently I paid the German TA about 75 euros (except for particularly complicated itineraries).
Jan 20, 2018, 2:47 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Count me in too. For me, the main criteria is being charged in GBP for flights from the UK to avoid foreign transaction fees and currency discrepancies. All our flights are in business or first. I have used AMEX Travel, who I find pretty good and recently saved ~6% vs booking directly on some First class tickets, but I would rather use an individual that I can build a relationship with.
Jan 20, 2018, 3:10 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
I would recommend Germany based @rcs85551, well-known FT member and mod of MR forum.
Never used his services so far (as I am quite handy at booking complex itineraries by myself) but he's highly praised by his clients-friends of mine. Very, very knowledgeable agent!
Never used his services so far (as I am quite handy at booking complex itineraries by myself) but he's highly praised by his clients-friends of mine. Very, very knowledgeable agent!
Jan 20, 2018, 4:29 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MEL
Programs: QFF, AA, LM, EY
Posts: 762
Count me in too. For me, the main criteria is being charged in GBP for flights from the UK to avoid foreign transaction fees and currency discrepancies. All our flights are in business or first. I have used AMEX Travel, who I find pretty good and recently saved ~6% vs booking directly on some First class tickets, but I would rather use an individual that I can build a relationship with.
