Travel agent versus the QF website

dragonman · #1 (**permalink**) 18th August 2008, 10:23 PM

Just thought i would share the experience I had today. Wanted to go to NY and Los Angeles in April next year flying QF in Y. Cheapest fare on the website I could find was $3113. Tried two travel agencies today - and ended up getting the fare for $2500. Had always thought I would find the cheapest fare on the website so this was news to me.

Not sure of the protocol but I am happy to share the name of the TA if its ok.

aybee · #2 (**permalink**) 19th August 2008, 06:44 AM

Travel Agents in Oz can almost nearly always beat an airline direct international fare, thanks to the distribution method in effect down here, commission levels, overrides and the proliferance/reliance of the agents here on Nett fares. Not really much of a surprise.

serfty · #3 (**permalink**) 19th August 2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aybee

Travel Agents in Oz can almost nearly always beat an airline direct international fare, thanks to the distribution method in effect down here, commission levels, overrides and the proliferance/reliance of the agents here on Nett fares. Not really much of a surprise.

I can easily see a 5-10% saving for those reasons, but 25%?

aybee · #4 (**permalink**) 21st August 2008, 08:44 AM

At one Corporate Agency I used to work for back in the early 2000's, we had agreements with 3 or 4 carriers (such was our volume with them) that gave us high teens overides on top of the regular, so yeah, the %'s can get up there. If it's a preferred client, then the % you lop off for them gets high as well.
Then there are preferred deals, wholesale netts and all the rest of it. Depends on the carrier, the agency and the type of travel required.

anat0l · #5 (**permalink**) 29th August 2008, 11:39 AM

International fares perhaps the travel agent could do better. Except if you are planning an esoteric itinerary, e.g. xONEx or a run. (Then again, QF couldn't do that on their website either....)

The weigh up of charges from either one would be interesting. TAs typically charge 1.1% or thereabouts for credit cards; QF charge something like $18.00 or more for international sectors.

As for domestic bookings, might as well do it yourself. Last time I was quoted by a TA they said, "we just look at webjet and add $10.00 to the price."

JohnK · #6 (**permalink**) 29th August 2008, 06:22 PM

Some travel agents can get much better airfares and deals than the QF website.

A friend of mine travelled SYD-PVG//HKG-SYD with QF in May and paid $1250 via a travel agent. Could not get anywhere near that price with a simple SYD-PVG or SYD-HKG return let alone an open jaw.

I hope that travel agents are always around for those times where it is difficult to make a booking on a airlines website....

Dougo · #7 (**permalink**) 29th August 2008, 08:11 PM

Please correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the fare that the TA quotes depend (in part ??) on which consolidator they use and/or how much commission they are willing to forego in order to secure a sale (not to mention special affiliations / deals / contracts that they may have with the supplier)?

It seems to me (based on my experience), costs quoted for airfares from TAs sometimes depend on whether or not they are interested in a quick sale vs searching for the best fare or perhaps steering you to "your only real option" which translates to selling you a fare for which they get the highest commission.

But I really think it helps to do the research yourself then if you think might be able to do better, test the market and snap up a bargain ticket - make sure the T&Cs is acceptable as some of these can be very restrictive which is probably reflected in the cheaper price.