Have friends ever paid you to find them flights?

[flmyngo]

I've been travelling/flying all over the world for some time and quite frequently. And I've realised I become quite the flight-finding-zombie when searching for flights - trying to get the absolute best possible flight combinations for the cheapest price. I've found that flexibility is the key (with dates, destinations and airlines) but realise that most people don't have this freedom, don't want it or don't know about it.

My reputation among friends (and then friends of friends) for finding the best flights has now ballooned, and I'm getting (on average) about 5 different requests a day. People are willing to pay as well, but I just don't have the time to get to everyone.

I understand that AFF is about creating a sense of community here with frequent flyers, so I'm not going to tell people to spam the site with "Flights wanted - Willing to pay $x" threads. But I know there's a lot of knowledgeable flyers who could spend a few minutes finding a good flight on a route they know well (as opposed to 30 minutes+ for non-FF-ers), and the extra $$ wouldn't go astray.

What do you think about getting paid to find flights for people? I don't want to step on toes, as I think many FF-ers here would prefer to keep at as a hobby and don't mind helping friends out occasionally, but just putting the idea out there.

Please PM me if you're interested.

 

[medhead]

Isn't that called a travel agent?


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[dfcatch]

See I spend more time than my friends because I want the results that ensue.

My friends spend 2 mins, probably get a cheap fare, don't care about connections, aircraft, seating etc etc.

I spend more time to maximize my comfort, and optimize my "value".

And I enjoy the planning as much as the flying itself.

 

[flmyngo]

Isn't that called a travel agent?

Yes but travel agents don't have aligned interests - they want you to book the flight where they get the best commission.

Plus I've been to a number of travel agents over the years and none of them have found better fares than what I can find on the internet. They usually search A to B on their GDS for 1 minute and give an inflated price.

 

[Travel Guru]

Yes but travel agents don't have aligned interests - they want you to book the flight where they get the best commission.

Plus I've been to a number of travel agents over the years and none of them have found better fares than what I can find on the internet. They usually search A to B on their GDS for 1 minute and give an inflated price.

You must be using the wrong TA...not all TA's are guided solely by commission, some (shock horror) are guided by the best interests of their clients

TG

 

[zig]

Isn't that called a travel agent?

Don't we wish! I think there are plenty of threads on this site attesting to the fact that a good travel agent is hard to find.

To the OP question - I wouldn't accept money for it , happy to provide some advice, suggestions and leave it at that. Once you start accepting money I think you also have to assume some responsibility and accountability for the service you provide. I'm happy to accept responsibility for myself and my choices, but don't want to assume it for other people (I don't even like doing it for family).

 

[medhead]

Isn't that called a travel agent?


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

This was not a comment about the quality of TAs, it was a reply to the question/suggestion of getting paid to find flights for people. If one wishes to be paid to find flights wouldn't the logical next step be to become a TA? Personally, I'd loved to get paid to find flights for people, but I'd be worried about the professional indemnity side of things. It might be ok doing it for friends, but what if you stuff up or they don't give clear instructions. That leads to bad blood, arguments and maybe more.

 

[flmyngo]

But this is just the process of searching for flights and giving a couple of options, then leaving the actual booking up to them so it's not your responsibility. I think there are a number of flyers that are not net-savvy enough and either go to a travel agent or search one of the major search engines, then book. If I/we can potentially save these people $200+, I think it's a pretty good service.

 

[BJReplay]

I find flights & fares for my family, and flights for myself for business (even though I have to book through a TA for work to comply with their travel policy, I find the flights first, then tell the TA what to book).

As other posters have noted, it's all about making the entire process smooth, and that includes transit time, seating, planning around departure and arrival time, and so on. I'm yet to find a good TA (though I imagine they are out there, somewhere).

I have more than once had to tell a TA to book a flight that I could see was available, or lose my business (and risk losing the business of the entire company).

I once even had the infuriating situation where the TA could not (or would not) book my preferred flights to Venice, insisting that the only flights available were early morning departures with a long transit, and a late night arrival, whereas I could see the flights I wanted with an evening departure, short transit, and early afternoon arrival. They had even taken a charge on my credit card for the wrong flights. When they refused to book the flights I wanted and asked for a refund, I found when I attempted to book directly with the airline that I could not - as they already had the same pax listed on alternate flights on the same day (the TA had not cancelled their booking), and their booking engine rejected the second booking. I had to wait a week for the TA booking to be cancelled and my money refunded before I could book the flights I actually wanted.

 

[drron]

You must be using the wrong TA...not all TA's are guided solely by commission, some (shock horror) are guided by the best interests of their clients

TG

I'm with you TG.Though quite frequently I have found fares,hotels for friends.Try not to encourage it though.
Normally I research the flights and email my TA the flight numbers etc to book.However for our next trip in July we wanted to get a fare from BKK to IST in J.The bestr by a long way was Turkish but our TA got us a fare on RJ that I could not source so easily earnt her fee.

 

[dajop]

I can see what you are getting at, it is all about adept use of knowledge of a range of websites (including AFF and the likes of expertflyer) and I think, a strong inclination to problem solving. After all, the equation is to get from A to B in maximum comfort at best value (not always cheapest) price, including stops if required. Then finding the highest rated/best located accommodation for the cheapest price! Many (not all TA's) don't have the time or the inclination to get into the problem solving aspect of finding good deals, especially as commissions are squeezed by airlines. I enjoy the challenge though, even though no interest in being a TA. Certainly many TA's are not up to speed on the nuances of special fares like Circle Pacific's so some informed advice can always help.

 

[tuapekastar]

I have helped a few friends, though I'm no great shakes at it, just usually better than them (though I've received one or two very useful suggestions from people like work colleagues). I've no desire to charge anyone - I don't feel qualified enough, and TBH, just doing the planning with them over a nice bottle of red they supplied would be sufficient.

Mildly OT (and I may be off the mark here), I relate TAs to medical GPs a bit. They are all at a minimum all-rounders who can do the mainstream stuff (some better than others), but as with GPs when specialist advice is required, you ought to see a specialist TA in the area in which you're looking for advice. Not that you're likely to get referred!

 

[Stephen65]

I'd either do it for nothing or not do it at all. I don't like the idea of charging friends for anything.

 

[spudwa]

I've been travelling/flying all over the world for some time and quite frequently. And I've realised I become quite the flight-finding-zombie when searching for flights - trying to get the absolute best possible flight combinations for the cheapest price. I've found that flexibility is the key (with dates, destinations and airlines) but realise that most people don't have this freedom, don't want it or don't know about it.

My reputation among friends (and then friends of friends) for finding the best flights has now ballooned, and I'm getting (on average) about 5 different requests a day. People are willing to pay as well, but I just don't have the time to get to everyone.

I understand that AFF is about creating a sense of community here with frequent flyers, so I'm not going to tell people to spam the site with "Flights wanted - Willing to pay $x" threads. But I know there's a lot of knowledgeable flyers who could spend a few minutes finding a good flight on a route they know well (as opposed to 30 minutes+ for non-FF-ers), and the extra $$ wouldn't go astray.

What do you think about getting paid to find flights for people? I don't want to step on toes, as I think many FF-ers here would prefer to keep at as a hobby and don't mind helping friends out occasionally, but just putting the idea out there.

Please PM me if you're interested.

I've used a paid service for both my US Airways DM trips I've booked so far and thought the service was well worth it. My first trip is documented in over 60 emails so the guy was definitely worked for it. For my first trip he organised A to London from Perth for 120,000 and for my second trip he got me J Perth to New York for 110,000 (return of course). I think he actually saved me money ;-)

Paul

 

[samiam]

I think there are a number of flyers that are not net-savvy enough and either go to a travel agent or search one of the major search engines, then book.

I think also, there are a number of people (like me), who just can't be bothered with the research (or don't have the time or inclination) and would happily cough up for someone to book a trip according to the specs provided.

Some of the threads on AFF have been great, and have saved my lazy bones from doing the research Thanks y'all.

 

[JohnK]

You must have a lot of friends to get that many requests for assistance.

I try to help anyone I know travelling but most people I know are not interested in help preferring to research and book it themselves. I guess we each derive some level of satisfaction from booking our own trips.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I've never had this problem of over extending myself as my circle of friends and family is not that big.

Same goes with IT support as I am the go-to member of the family and my friends alike...I would never charge for the service, but if it was a stranger it would be a lot easier to request some kind of remuneration - send them my way flmyngo

Edit. One of the fun parts of helping family and friends with bookings is when they email me their initial quotes from certain mulitnational travel agencies...seeing some of the routings/stopovers and then seeing the price gets me every time.

 

[Mal]

I don't like comebacks. Easier to say whoops if you aren't being paid for something...

 

[Simo]

The only person that does that to me is my parents.

I wish i could charge them for it.

 

[11sjw]

I've helped family and the odd friend. The only proviso was I got to run it through my cc to grab the points if I found a cheaper fare/rate or found J for not a huge amount more.