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Message
re: Travel Agent
Posted on 8/31/18 at 7:09 am to hungryone
Posted on 8/31/18 at 7:09 am to hungryone
quote:
It’s not ego, but fact to know you have more travel experience than an agent who generally only travels domestically and speaks only English.
It’s not ego you are making this assumption? Because that’s a pretty dang big assumption that you know more than them.
Maybe you don’t. I agree it’s not hard to do on your own. But I also completely disagree that there is no use for a TA especially for someone that’s never been to a certain part of the world, in a bigger city you are likely to find a TA that has experience there. I agree with the OP I don’t understand the knock on them.
Message board advice can be great. But I think we can all agree there’s plenty to take with a grain of salt.
1
Posted on 8/31/18 at 7:30 am to baldona
quote:
TA especially for someone that’s never been to a certain part of the world, in a bigger city you are likely to find a TA that has experience there. I agree with the OP I don’t understand the knock on them.
Sure, in a larger city.....but in much of LA and the non urban south, the so called travel agents you encounter are peddling Disney assistance and mass market cruises. Yes, I made generalizations....based on experience with my regional community.
Regarding travel message boards, there are some amazing travel resources out there: specialist forums run by expats, others focused on medical tourism, etc. I’m not referring to generalist stuff like TripAdvisor or TD.
The only real advantage I can see to agents in 2018 is for groups and those who have special needs and limited planning time.
Posted on 8/31/18 at 10:48 am to hungryone
For the most part I agree with you, but OP said honeymoon. For the average bloke on TD, that's a week at an all inclusive in the Caribbean. I haven't set foot in a travel agents office in years, but I feel like in a city like BR or NOLA there's a good chance he can find a knowledgeable agent for those.
Posted on 8/31/18 at 4:26 pm to baldona
I've never used one, and I've planned several trips in US and Europe on my own.
But I do plan to consult one for a 2-week Italy trip because I've never been, the TA's been many times, and I'm sick of being the one to do the trip planning every time we travel. The fact that multiple cities, trains, and such are involved makes it too much headache for me.
Someone on NextDoor asked for a good TA. I was surprised to see a shitload of responses from people saying they were TAs. I thought they were more scarce these days.
But I do plan to consult one for a 2-week Italy trip because I've never been, the TA's been many times, and I'm sick of being the one to do the trip planning every time we travel. The fact that multiple cities, trains, and such are involved makes it too much headache for me.
Someone on NextDoor asked for a good TA. I was surprised to see a shitload of responses from people saying they were TAs. I thought they were more scarce these days.
Posted on 8/31/18 at 4:34 pm to Twenty 49
quote:
Someone on NextDoor asked for a good TA. I was surprised to see a shitload of responses from people saying they were TAs. I thought they were more scarce these days.
A bunch of people do it so that they can cruise or travel for cheap. Others troll the web for customers.
Posted on 9/1/18 at 7:23 am to PLaneTiger
I’m the one who plans every vacation amongst family and friends, and even I used a travel agent for our honeymoon. The fees were very reasonable, he did get us a better deal than when I was browsing the same resort, and he took care of everything.
We went to the Excellence in Punta Cana. Very fun!
We went to the Excellence in Punta Cana. Very fun!
Posted on 9/1/18 at 9:16 am to hungryone
AAA has good travel agents.
Posted on 9/3/18 at 12:56 pm to CptBengal
quote:
Lol. I own a travel agency and airlines haven't given commission since the early 90s. Hotels are a different story
really, I get paid a %
Posted on 9/3/18 at 6:54 pm to rbdallas
TA’s are needed from time to time. I travel to Asia a lot and generally book my own tickets but from time to time I need some help.
For instance I needed a flight MEM to SUB using Delta which is easy to get if you connect through Jakarta or Bali but I needed a direct flight in. TA did all the work and got me an ATL-> NRT -> SIN -> SUB for cheaper and quicker than I could.
As for message boards FlyerTalk is a good one
For instance I needed a flight MEM to SUB using Delta which is easy to get if you connect through Jakarta or Bali but I needed a direct flight in. TA did all the work and got me an ATL-> NRT -> SIN -> SUB for cheaper and quicker than I could.
As for message boards FlyerTalk is a good one
Posted on 9/3/18 at 7:58 pm to rbdallas
I pay mine $45 per flight they book
Corporate travel
Corporate travel
Posted on 9/13/18 at 5:02 am to rbdallas
quote:
really, I get paid a %
Not from the airlines. Lol. Let me guess you have a login for Expedia or some shite and get a kickback
Posted on 9/13/18 at 5:16 am to CptBengal
quote:
Not from the airlines. Lol. Let me guess you have a login for Expedia or some shite and get a kickback
No I do not
but I am part of (work with) a company that has been doing this for over 20 years. From what they told me and my checks say,
SW is the only one that does not pay any commissions to us.
Posted on 9/13/18 at 7:42 am to rbdallas
quote:
No I do not
but I am part of (work with) a company that has been doing this for over 20 years. From what they told me and my checks say,
SW is the only one that does not pay any commissions to us.
Ok.
So your boss pays you a commission per flight. But I guarantee you Spirit, Frontier, and EVERY OTHER US METAL doesn't.
I know because I write the checks.
Posted on 9/13/18 at 12:03 pm to CptBengal
quote:
So your boss pays you a commission per flight. But I guarantee you Spirit, Frontier, and EVERY OTHER US METAL doesn't.
Stop being a dick head this isn't the OT. Since you write the checks and people are asking for advice, why don't you offer some help and explain how the process works, why and when people should use a TA, etc.?
Or honestly leave. Because your posts in this thread have been worthless.
Posted on 9/14/18 at 8:42 am to baldona
quote:
, why and when people should use a TA, etc.?
quote:
Because your posts in this thread have been worthless.
LINK
Last page.
Im happy to answer questions. Always do, and when people ask for travel agent recommendations I don't even suggest my own business...I suggest an old friend instead who's a nice older lady.
Im happy to answer the questions provided. But every time there is this thread there's the same misconceptions about how a TA charges you more etc.
If you have any questions I'd be happy to help answer them.
And my response on the metal isn't being a dick. It's a matter of fact. You can call any US airline right now and ask them.
Posted on 9/14/18 at 9:56 am to CptBengal
quote:
If you have any questions I'd be happy to help answer them.
And my response on the metal isn't being a dick. It's a matter of fact. You can call any US airline right now and ask them.
I was saying you were going out of your way to call the other people out on being wrong, instead of explaining properly how they do get paid. Clearly a TA gets paid for making airline reservations, they do it all the time and they are not working for free. Where that money comes from is something you could have helped with. Its not that complicated.
I agree with you fore sure on most of the time TA's can plan your trip for the same as you would pay on your own and I agree they don't seem to generally cost any more.
I also agree that they can be helpful. I also hate the response "all the info is online plan it yourself". I can watch videos on how to replace my roof on my own too, doesn't mean I want to do it. I enjoy planning my vacations, but I understand why others prefer to have a TA do it.
Posted on 9/14/18 at 11:26 am to baldona
As yellowfin said for corporate clients we will charge a small fee for airline reservations as they are sometimes strictly flights and there is no back end commission to account for employee contact time.
However, with leisure travel the flights are always part of a larger package that does have commisionable components, hotels etc, and a good agency wont charge a booking fee.
However, with leisure travel the flights are always part of a larger package that does have commisionable components, hotels etc, and a good agency wont charge a booking fee.
Posted on 9/14/18 at 10:20 pm to PLaneTiger
Call Chris at Pearsons travel in BR.
I can book my own vacations/trips, but I don't want to waste my time, as mentioned in this thread a TA can make a lot of valuable recommendations that would take a lot of time to research online. They can also be very valuable in resolving disputes with airlines, hotels, and travel insurance companies.
I can book my own vacations/trips, but I don't want to waste my time, as mentioned in this thread a TA can make a lot of valuable recommendations that would take a lot of time to research online. They can also be very valuable in resolving disputes with airlines, hotels, and travel insurance companies.
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