Pick a travel agent how ?

[baarg]

@karen blancfield @RooFlyer @baarg Hi! If anyone can recommend a travel agent for booking LATAM flights to Argentina that would be great cheers!

Hey, any reason to fly with Latam? I used flight centre and although the TA was helpful, having used her once I just don't feel I have enough evidence to recommend her. I recently booked flights to Argentina with Qantas and did so directly via their website. I had issues with Qantas in the past but Latam are more expensive and although flights were okay, I didn't love the onboard experience, compared to my previous ones with Qantas and Air NZ.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Yes. How easy was that?

Seems like MadRooster went to the Alan Joyce school of customer service!

 

[RooFlyer]

Hey, any reason to fly with Latam? I used flight centre and although the TA was helpful, having used her once I just don't feel I have enough evidence to recommend her. I recently booked flights to Argentina with Qantas and did so directly via their website. I had issues with Qantas in the past but Latam are more expensive and although flights were okay, I didn't love the onboard experience, compared to my previous ones with Qantas and Air NZ.

@baarg did I reply to your original query? So sorry if not!! Pls PM me if you still need a recommendation.

No particular reason to fly with LATAM, unless you were flying on within Sth America and wanted one ticket. IIRC they used to be cheaper than Qantas on that route but maybe that's not the case these days (although I'd be surprised if so).

 

[SeatBackForward]

I’ve used madrooster several times over the years very happily but I’m not having any luck contacting him at the moment. Hopefully he’s just far too busy, rather than out of action. I may have to start from scratch with a new TA which is such a pity.

Post automatically merged: Jul 16, 2022

Any possibility of PM to me too please, since I can’t locate my TA? Thank you.

I'm having trouble getting replies back from @madrooster also about some travel for early next week. My previous trip was only sorted out a few days before I left, so hoping the same happens this time also.

 

[karen blancfield]

I'm having trouble getting replies back from @madrooster also about some travel for early next week. My previous trip was only sorted out a few days before I left, so hoping the same happens this time also.

I’ve lost him again too, have had to give in and use another agent as prices are increasing daily for this trip in 7 weeks. My only hope is that he is well. He did some terrific bookings for us and I was really happy with his work.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I’ve lost him again too, have had to give in and use another agent as prices are increasing daily for this trip in 7 weeks. My only hope is that he is well. He did some terrific bookings for us and I was really happy with his work.

Yep for new bookings, might have to look into that, my immediate concern is with an existing booking due to commence next week

No problem with being busy, but as a sole operator myself, I know how difficult it can be when things can get busy , but I always make sure I at least let my clients know that I'll get back to them.

 

[karen blancfield]

Yep for new bookings, might have to look into that, my immediate concern is with an existing booking due to commence next week

No problem with being busy, but as a sole operator myself, I know how difficult it can be when things can get busy , but I always make sure I at least let my clients know that I'll get back to them.

We have now had to pay an additional $500 each approx because we didn’t get follow up replies. Travelling with two interstate others so I was feeling too responsible when I haven’t had replies. New agent booked flights inside a couple of hours yesterday, the same agent we resorted to in Aug for the trip to Europe. I’m sure the life of a TA in these times must be no picnic so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt again.

 

[SeatBackForward]

We have now had to pay an additional $500 each approx because we didn’t get follow up replies. Travelling with two interstate others so I was feeling too responsible when I haven’t had replies. New agent booked flights inside a couple of hours yesterday, the same agent we resorted to in Aug for the trip to Europe. I’m sure the life of a TA in these times must be no picnic so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt again.

cough, sorry that happened to you but hats off for taking responsibility on behalf of the others.

Did you cancel the entire booking or manage to make changes?

 

[karen blancfield]

cough, sorry that happened to you but hats off for taking responsibility on behalf of the others.

Did you cancel the entire booking or manage to make changes?

I got to the point of providing all the passports but never had confirmation it was booked. Meanwhile, I could see the prices going up and dates becoming unavailable each day. So we’ve all paid more for the flights but had set our hearts on Japan for Christmas so agreed it’s worth it.

Now onto the planning stage! Fifth trip coming up, avoiding snow. It will be very interesting to see what’s different since our last trip 3 years ago.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I got to the point of providing all the passports but never had confirmation it was booked. Meanwhile, I could see the prices going up and dates becoming unavailable each day. So we’ve all paid more for the flights but had set our hearts on Japan for Christmas so agreed it’s worth it.

Ok well I think I have a confirmed booking, but changes I request weeks ago haven't been made. I'm not the type that likes leaving it to the last minute, so will see what I can do myself. Thanks for the feedback and enjoy Japan in Winter!

 

[straitman]

I am very happy to recommend someone from Travel Managers if anyone is still chasing up a new TA.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thanks @straitman I'll contact you offline if this turns out to be the case.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Just to update this thread. @madrooster is most definitely still managing bookings, mine have been processed further since I last posted on here. I suspect with the demand for d all the changes needing to be manged due to cancellations etc - it's just a case of being swamped under.

 

[karen blancfield]

Just to update this thread. @madrooster is most definitely still managing bookings, mine have been processed further since I last posted on here. I suspect with the demand for d all the changes needing to be manged due to cancellations etc - it's just a case of being swamped under.

I’ll keep trying but for now, I had to go elsewhere. Just glad he’s still ok, too busy and thanks for the update. Hope your trip is fabulous.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I’ll keep trying but for now, I had to go elsewhere. Just glad he’s still ok, too busy and thanks for the update. Hope your trip is fabulous.

At the end of the day if you run a business, customers are entitled to move if they aren't getting what they expect. That's just how things work. Being overly-busy is one of those nice to have problems!

 

[mrsterryn]

Just to update this thread. @madrooster is most definitely still managing bookings, mine have been processed further since I last posted on here. I suspect with the demand for d all the changes needing to be manged due to cancellations etc - it's just a case of being swamped under.

Glad to hear that for his current customers

 

[tdimdad]

If I have an existing PNR, can a TA add flights to it? Specifically, I'm thinking of a QF gift voucher which the TA would turn into a real booking.

 

[RooFlyer]

A TA can certainly add flights to an existing PNR. Whether or not they can do it to PNR that they didn’t create I’m less sure of.

 

[Matt_01]

Does anyone know a good TA that can either help with making tour bookings and limited flight bookings or just willing will to provide advice on a fee for service/ advice basis. I have never used a TA and I when I went into the local flight centre and they were not that helpful. The goal is to get to Mongolia, Taipei and come back through KL and Singapore. What started as a simple AU-SG flight has grown and as my plans keep changing, I am currently sitting on a few rewards bookings. I should be able to change the QF sectors the other carriers not so sure. Current bookings are:

• ADL-xMEL-SIN, SIN-xSYD-ADL, (all QF)
• ADL-xSYD-TPE, TPE-xKUL-SIN, (QF, CA, KL)
• ADL-xSYD-ICN, ICN-KUL-SIN (QF, KL)

What I am looking to create is ADL-xSYD-ICN-UBN(stop) UBN-ICN-TPE (stop) TPE-xKUL (overnight)-SIN-xSYD-ADL. If I need to go via Japan to get to UBN this may not be off the table.

I like the idea of Mongolia and would like to get to the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia. Ideally, I would prefer not to enter Korea and would stay at the Airport hotel if required and is open but could go landside if required. Also has anyone flown OM (MIAT) and what are they like, the other options may be OZ or KR but would depend on the schedules.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Does anyone know a good TA that can either help with making tour bookings and limited flight bookings or just willing will to provide advice on a fee for service/ advice basis. I have never used a TA and I when I went into the local flight centre and they were not that helpful. The goal is to get to Mongolia, Taipei and come back through KL and Singapore. What started as a simple AU-SG flight has grown and as my plans keep changing, I am currently sitting on a few rewards bookings. I should be able to change the QF sectors the other carriers not so sure. Current bookings are:

• ADL-xMEL-SIN, SIN-xSYD-ADL, (all QF)
• ADL-xSYD-TPE, TPE-xKUL-SIN, (QF, CA, KL)
• ADL-xSYD-ICN, ICN-KUL-SIN (QF, KL)

What I am looking to create is ADL-xSYD-ICN-UBN(stop) UBN-ICN-TPE (stop) TPE-xKUL (overnight)-SIN-xSYD-ADL. If I need to go via Japan to get to UBN this may not be off the table.

I like the idea of Mongolia and would like to get to the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia. Ideally, I would prefer not to enter Korea and would stay at the Airport hotel if required and is open but could go landside if required. Also has anyone flown OM (MIAT) and what are they like, the other options may be OZ or KR but would depend on the schedules.

Sounds like a great trip.

You might find some suggestions in this existing thread.

Pick a travel agent how ?

Notwithstanding the big places eg FC How do I go about finding a travel agent ? happy with online services No idea how to find a reasonable one Appreciate the assistance

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au