How do you book your travel?

[drron]

Using a good TA for flights makes sense when things go pear shaped.EG when QF shut down our TA had switched our flight 3 days hence to BA before we even knew of the shutdown.
When mrsdrron injured herself 1 day before leaving our TA was able to cancel the booking with no costs and have the refund in our account within the week-not waiting the 6-12 weeks BA advertised then.
Those make up for all the fees we have paid.

 

[browski]

Those make up for all the fees we have paid.

Yeah....nah.
It is not about the fees, it is about the ticket price. Obviously TA tix are more expensive because they need to make significant dollars from your flight.
Secondly, and more importantly, the TA's GDS does not allow bookings on many airlines; there is no template for it.
Thirdly, it is generally impossible for an aussie TA to book the on-line price for a flight that originates outside of Australia - same reason as above.
Finally, my mother needs to use a TA. She is not confident on the computer. That is the TA's diminishing market right there.

 

[browski]

Always better? Really? I wonder if you have ever used a good TA to make that statement. (Firms like Flight Centre I don't call a good TA).

With a Travel Agent its about the relationship. I've used the same Travel Agent firm (and person) for international travel for about 10 years (a mid sized shopfront) and the individual is simply gold. Domestic travel I book myself. When they can't match what I can get on-line they invite me to book it myself, or they can book it direct on-line on my credit card so it forms part of my complete itinerary; they know my wants and limitations and never tries to up-sell to me. Sometimes they do a bunch of research for me and I don't proceed - no charge. Saying all that, I (and my client) was putting a lot of travel through the TA.

Yes of course we have all used good TA's. Just like we all used to have a great bank manager and a cracking newsagent.
You are correct, that with a TA, it is about the relationship; it needs to be, there is nothing else.
But for the more evolved, it is actually about the price and the available options.

 

[drron]

Yeah....nah.
It is not about the fees, it is about the ticket price. Obviously TA tix are more expensive because they need to make significant dollars from your flight.
Secondly, and more importantly, the TA's GDS does not allow bookings on many airlines; there is no template for it.
Thirdly, it is generally impossible for an aussie TA to book the on-line price for a flight that originates outside of Australia - same reason as above.
Finally, my mother needs to use a TA. She is not confident on the computer. That is the TA's diminishing market right there.

Wrong on all points.
My TA charges a flat fee not a % commission.
Her prices are never more than I can get but can be significantly less.
You are obviously not aware that many of the good TAs are in a virtual global alliance.
She definitely can book flights originating outside Australia and for lower prices with a recent flight on SAA JNB-EBB-JNB.Not only that she got it on the same PNR as our DONE4.

 

[browski]

Wrong on all points.
My TA charges a flat fee not a % commission.
Her prices are never more than I can get but can be significantly less.
You are obviously not aware that many of the good TAs are in a virtual global alliance.
She definitely can book flights originating outside Australia and for lower prices with a recent flight on SAA JNB-EBB-JNB.Not only that she got it on the same PNR as our DONE4.

Good for you, Ron, you keep hanging in there.

 

[ithongy]

Book a return flight & a multi city trip in different classes via TA.

DEN-ORD return, upon reaching ORD flying out to LGA same day then FLL-ORD at later dates before returning to DEN a few days later. Flew DEN-LAX (in F) no problems, flight LAX-DFW (in F) delayed then cancelled, causing us to miss connection DFW-ORD (in F) & ORD-LGA (In Y). Due to all flights on a single PNR no managed to get rerouted LAX-JFK snagged last J & F seat 8hrs later. Also had ZP & US1 taxes exempted saving a few hundred dollars.

Without a TA the ORD-LGA-FLL-ORD trip would have been lost as can't combine a return trip & multi city travel online AA website.

 

[browski]

Book a return flight & a multi city trip in different classes via TA.

DEN-ORD return, upon reaching ORD flying out to LGA same day then FLL-ORD at later dates before returning to DEN a few days later. Flew DEN-LAX (in F) no problems, flight LAX-DFW (in F) delayed then cancelled, causing us to miss connection DFW-ORD (in F) & ORD-LGA (In Y). Due to all flights on a single PNR no managed to get rerouted LAX-JFK snagged last J & F seat 8hrs later. Also had ZP & US1 taxes exempted saving a few hundred dollars.

Without a TA the ORD-LGA-FLL-ORD trip would have been lost as can't combine a return trip & multi city travel online AA website.

But you can by calling AA.

 

[ithongy]

But you can by calling AA.

Don't think you can get US1 & ZP taxes exempted by calling AA?

 

[RooFlyer]

My bolding in the following:

Yeah....nah.
It is not about the fees, it is about the ticket price. Obviously TA tix are more expensive because they need to make significant dollars from your flight.

You keep making these ex cathedra dogmatic comments which are simply not true and I wonder why. TA tickets are NOT necessarily more expensive - mine, like many others, makes their $$ from commission on the airline's price. I get the same price and many extras from my TA - its a bargain.

Yes of course we have all used good TA's. Just like we all used to have a great bank manager and a cracking newsagent.
You are correct, that with a TA, it is about the relationship; it needs to be, there is nothing else.
But for the more evolved, it is actually about the price and the available options.

Quite bizarre comments there. I listed the virtues of my own TA above - it includes price, but if you think that's just price, I suggest you re-read.

Good for you, Ron, you keep hanging in there.

Playing the man, not the topic I suggest shows a weakness in argument.


I would never say Travel Agents are always better, or cheaper. I usually book my own domestic travel and hotels, as it's straightforward. I do happen to have a marvellous travel agent who looks after my international travel with alacrity and economy (not in the sense of whY though ) - others here similar experiences.

If you have not, that's your misfortune, and I'm sorry; but you may care to allow the possibility that your experience does not cover everyone else's.

 

[browski]

My bolding in the following:

I do happen to have a marvellous travel agent who looks after my international travel with alacrity and economy (not in the sense of whY though ) - others here similar experiences.

I agree. Just not cheaper.

 

[RooFlyer]

Who said TAs were cheaper? You said TA tickets were "obviously ... more expensive".

I would say my TA is better value than buying overseas airline tickets myself as I get so many additional services.

 

[browski]

Who said TAs were cheaper? You said TA tickets were "obviously ... more expensive".

I would say my TA is better value than buying overseas airline tickets myself as I get so many additional services.

The question posed by the OP was regarding price. Specifically the Op asked this: " is there a more efficient way of doing it to ensure you get the best outcomes in terms of pricing, seating, hotels etc without having to go and visit a TA"

 

[Robyn Jorgensen]

I travel international at least 1 or 2 times a year and approximately 5 times domestic. I never use a Travel agent and when I have, it is through an American company who really look after me and are quite a deal cheaper. I usually book all my accommodation through Hilton and Accor (hence Platinum and Gold memberships) and receive excellent rooms and service because of my loyalty to the respective chains. My general experience is that travel agencies have many hidden costs and not as flexible as booking your airline and accommodation direct (or through America). A recent experience when travelling with friends whereby Flight Centre was used, was the worst experience of my holidaying life. My travelling companions received lesser quality cabins on the cruise, lesser comfortable rooms in accommodation and the flights were far less direct. They paid more, got less, and thankfully they checked with the agent regarding their Venice stop over and found that, even though they had confirmed accommodation from Flight Centre, they had no room booked for them at the Rialto. All booked out and ended up in the annex. The only reason I can see for using a travel agent, is if the people do not travel often and therefore very uncertain in carrying out the bookings themselves. I find Qantas and their partner airlines excellent with advice and the same goes for Hilton / Accor.

 

[coriander]

Our family has used the same TA for over 10 years. She used to work for QF holidays when they had a shopfront in the Bourke Street Mall then took her client list with her when they closed. She nominally works for a suburban shop front TA that's part of a chain but mostly works from home and we correspond by email and phone. She'll tell us if we'll find a better deal online (eg hotels), but she's always been cheaper/better on airfares.

Case in point. We wanted to go to Europe this year and early in the year I looked at Finnair "business campaign" fares - mmm looks good. Then I procrastinated and when went back some time later and checked online the price for MEL-HEL in J had gone from $5500 to $6490. B*gg*r!. Rang her, said I had a campaign fare etc.

She called me back a day or so later "coriander, you do know that campaign fare expired two weeks ago?" ""Really?" I replied with a wry grin.

She said "don't worry, I know someone at Finnair - now I can't match your $5500 but I can do MEL-xHEL-CPH returning VIE-HEL (stopover)-MEL all in J but it'll cost you $5190!". Finnair later cancelled our HKG-HEL flight, she moved our CX MEL-HKG to match with an altered AY HKG-xHEL-CPH flight, sent new e-tickets without me having to do any of the work.

She'll often match/beat hotel prices (with full cancellation) with the advantage that I don't have to pay usually till a month before travel (where online sites generally want your money upfront). She doesn't charge a fee, just takes her commission from the airlines/hotels. When a family member had a catastrophic illness relapse just before a major overseas trip (thus not covered by TI), she handled all the cancellations and refunds (obtaining refunds even from airline non-cancellable tickets). She's an absolute treasure.

As both Ron and Rooie have said, it's all about the relationship - find a good 'un and your travelling life is so much smoother.

 

[coriander]

A recent experience when travelling with friends whereby Flight Centre was used, was the worst experience of my holidaying life.

They should've used a Travel Agent.

 

[madrooster]

Yeah....nah.


It is not about the fees, it is about the ticket price. Obviously TA tix are more expensive because they need to make significant dollars from your flight.

Being a TA that has issued tickets for a number of AFFers... I can tell you that those AFFers do not pay any more than what you would find on the airline's website. If an airline is offering a cheaper fare on their own website only, then I tell them so and let them decide how they wish to proceed.

This is especially the case for AA domestics - on average I save everyone approx 7% on all AA US domestic fares due to the tax exemption allowance that even AA themselves (both over the phone or on the website) can't do for you.

Secondly, and more importantly, the TA's GDS does not allow bookings on many airlines; there is no template for it.

I can book and ticket virtually anything that is listed in the GDS. Obviously some LCCs opt to not list in the GDS, but if it's in the GDS, it's highly likely I can ticket it.

Thirdly, it is generally impossible for an aussie TA to book the on-line price for a flight that originates outside of Australia - same reason as above.

A number of AFFers get me to ticket their ex-foreign port tickets, and they get to pay in AUD at near spot rate (ie. what's on xe.com) and with an Amex to boot. Those with the right Amex cards even get to earn 2 points per $1 spent.

Originating in some countries can be a bit more expensive due to sales tax charged on foreign issued tickets, Sri Lanka comes to mind, though those AFFers are happy to pay the slightly higher price because it's all in one PNR, they get through-checked/no need to pickup bags.

Those same AFFers are now better educated on what's possible via a seasoned TA that you can't get or it's difficult to get, when you do your own bookings online... as others have also said in this thread, there's good TAs and bad TAs. The good ones who truly know what they're doing can open up a lot more possibilities for you.

 

[browski]

Being a TA that has issued tickets for a number of AFFers... I can tell you that those AFFers do not pay any more than what you would find on the airline's website. If an airline is offering a cheaper fare on their own website only, then I tell them so and let them decide how they wish to proceed.

.......So they will pay more through the TA than directly on the airline's website.

I can book and ticket virtually anything that is listed in the GDS. Obviously some LCCs opt to not list in the GDS, but if it's in the GDS, it's highly likely I can ticket it.

Yeah, but we are talking about all the airlines not on the GDS. There are more than just LCCs not on the GDS. Once again, why would anyone opt to have their options limited. Less options, higher the price. If there are 18 options to fly from BKK-LON, as a consumer, would you prefer to know about all 16 options or just the 12 on the GDS.

Originating in some countries can be a bit more expensive due to sales tax charged on foreign issued tickets, Sri Lanka comes to mind, though those AFFers are happy to pay the slightly higher price because it's all in one PNR, they get through-checked/no need to pickup bags.

No, we are talking about discount fares originating OS, available on the airline's own website, but not available on your aussie GDS. Of course full Y is available on your GDS.

 

[madrooster]

.......So they will pay more through the TA than directly on the airline's website.

You completely chose to ignore what I said. I will repeat - I can tell you that those AFFers do not pay any more than what you would find on the airline's website. Not even 1c.

Many airlines have contracts with the GDSes that what is on their website, is guaranteed to be what's available in the GDS. QF and VA both have such agreements.

Some airlines sell at a few dollars below what's in the GDS (that's you NZ, CA and a few others), and I am happy to match those.

Yeah, but we are talking about all the airlines not on the GDS. There are more than just LCCs not on the GDS. Once again, why would anyone opt to have their options limited. Less options, higher the price. If there are 18 options to fly from BKK-LON, as a consumer, would you prefer to know about all 16 options or just the 12 on the GDS.

Have you actually looked in the GDS yourself? There's really not much that doesn't appear in the GDS especially for long haul. It's mainly little regional/domestic type carriers that generally don't appear.

Even JQ, TZ, 3K and others appear in the GDS. Even the island hopper airline Island Air in Hawaii appears (code WP).

I have ticketed AFFers on routings such as OSL BA LHR BA SIN CX HKG CX PER QF MEL and return via the same route earning a whopping 880 QF SC's for $4k AUD (that's the same as the price in NOK, but converted straight to AUD as per xe.com rates), on a single fare and thus single ticket. Please do tell me how you can achieve that on an airline website.

I've also ticketed routings such as BNE QF SYD BA SIN VN SGN JL TYO JL BKK and back via a similar route on a single fare and thus single ticket. Again, please tell me how you can do that on an airline website.

Another example would be people who buy the AY J EU specials ex-BKK for often $2-2.5k AUD return. I can ticket those and then bolt on a SYD-BKK-SYD return in the same PNR so that the passenger is through-checked the entire way. Given the connection time in BKK isn't great between QF and AY, would you rather be sitting landside at check in waiting for AY or QF (depending which direction) to open, or would you rather be sitting in the lovely CX lounge?

No, we are talking about discount fares originating OS, available on the airline's own website, but not available on your aussie GDS. Of course full Y is available on your GDS.

So could you please tell me how I priced and booked people on this ex-AKL fare then?

ex-AKL and ex-SYD QF/AA J fares to SFO/LAX/NYC

Whilst I haven't ticketed anyone on this fare, I can tell you it is available to me, and I can even bolt on a SYD-DPS on QF ticket stock to connect to it and you would get through-checked without the need to collect your bag at DPS. Please tell me how you would do that using an airline website.

I've also ticketed a number of ex-CMB discount fares for AFFers too. Now, Sri Lanka is a country that applies an extra sales tax for sales made outside Sri Lanka, but other than that extra sales tax, you would be paying what someone in Sri Lanka would pay.

I can ticket alliance circle/round the world/regional passes originating in whatever region I like, and you would pay the same price that you would've paid originating in whatever country you choose too. Could you please explain to me how that is full Y, given the oneworld fares for example book into A, D and L and certainly not Y.

Another example... I recently completed a 280k award trip, where as a TA I was able to bolt on regional/domestic tickets in the same PNR as my 280k award and thus ensuring that I could be through-checked by virtually every carrier (both within and out of alliance) in my itinerary (a total of 9 carriers - QF, BA, SA, QR, IB, LA, AB, CX, WS).

See this thread where I've got photographic proof.

Please tell me how you can do that with an airline directly, both over the phone or via their website.

 

[tgh]

I envy those with really "special" ta's ; back in the days of amex travel we had some quite wonderful deals curated by a snappy operator.
These days I "orchestrate" almost all our travel, however I simply cannot do some of the stuff we have done for us.
We pay for this and it is worth every cent…for some things it is not all about money..

 

[doctau]

Up front disclaimer: I've been working (in IT) for a travel company for half a year.


I think travel agents have their place, but it's not the same as what it was. We don't need TAs to book travel for us any more, almost everyone can do that themselves, apart from some special fares like student pricing. I believe what TAs can do for people, and what their future will be, is being a travel expert and travel planner.

Want to spend 2 months in Europe, on one of those expensive Mediterranean cruises, a couple of coach tours, and like historic buildings, local food, and hate beaches? A TA can figure the trip out for you.


What is going to be interesting is the future of OTAs. Airlines don't really like them since they can make more money if they sell direct, and although a lot of people book using one, customers don't really like they since they charge extra fees (whether for booking, for changes, or something else). If someone can figure out how to put the "TA" in "OTA", and provide the experience and knowledge of a real travel agent, but online, I think they'll capture quite a bit of the market.