When you want to go on a vacation that requires a flight, you have two main options for purchasing that ticket. You can purchase the ticket from the airline directly or from a travel agency. For decades, purchasing a ticket from the airline was the best option for many, unless they planned an entire vacation package with a travel agency. Even if you do not intend to do any other vacation planning with an agent, you can still sometimes get a flight through them. But what is the difference, really, and is one option better than the other?
To answer that question, you must first define what services a travel agency offers. Today, the Internet is a premier way for ordering tickets for many people. Websites sell thousands of tickets every day. Are these travel agencies? Some say yes, because they serve as a third party helping you to plan your vacation while others say no because these websites do not actually have vacation packages similar to those offered by your local travel agency. For now, let’s assume that these are not travel agencies and look at a comparison just between airlines themselves and travel agencies that plan vacation packages for travelers.
When you buy directly from an airline, the price of the ticket will depend most on your date and time of travel. Usually, you can get a cheaper price if you travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. You can also save money, for the most part, if you are willing to travel during times that other people usually do not want to travel, like very late at night. With an airline there is no middleman, so you do not pay any kind of commission fee along the way.
That’s not true when it comes to travel agencies. When you book a flight through an agent, you are paying them a commission for their time. This does not necessarily mean that you will pay a more expensive price overall though. Travel agents usually buy tickets in bulk. That does not mean that they purchase all of the seats on a single flight necessarily, though that can be the case in some situations. What it usually means is that the travel agent commits to selling a certain number of flights or a certain dollar amount from that airline every month or every year. In exchange for their business, the airline sells them seats at a lower price. So, even when you add a commission on top of that price, in many cases, you are still paying less than you would pay to buy directly from an airline.
When you buy a flight from the travel agent, you may also be getting a deal because you are paying more in a different area. For example, maybe your travel agent puts together a vacation package that costs you an even $1000. When you see an itemized list, you might be charged $300 for the flight, $400 for the hotel room, and the rest of the money is for activities you have planned as well as the commission. Had you planned the trip on your own, both the flight and the hotel room would have been $400. So, you are not saving any more on the hotel, but you’re saving a whopping $100 on the flight. The travel agent might have used her connections to save just $50 on the flight, but he or she was able to give you a bigger savings because they charged you full price for the hotel room, even though that room was secured for half price. This is a misplaced savings, but a savings for you nonetheless, and your travel agent also made money on the deal. Do not automatically assume, however, that if you just book a flight next time, you will get the same low price. When you are dealing with a vacation package, the savings you see are not always specifically associated with the flight ticket price.
Sound confusing? Just think of it this way: with an airline, you buy a ticket with no price changes, and with a travel agent, you buy a ticket with multiple fees and discounts attached. Who has the better bottom line? It varies from situation to situation.
You can then factor in “travel agencies” that are websites selling discounted tickets. They do the same thing as typical travel agencies in that they have a lower price, but some may charge a commission. With sites such as these, that lower price comes from their ability to sell seats at the last minute, though, so the real advantage here is usually to last-minute travelers. Basically, no matter where you buy your ticket, make sure to do a lot of price comparison shopping.
Help answer the question about Travel Tickets
has anyone won travel tickets from radio station?If so, did you redeem it? I won some and im ecstatic.. however, I thought the accomodations were all paid.. why do they need a "refundable deposit for the hotel stay? Is this normal? and is this something I should go ahead and redeem? I want to take a vacation! thanks
I spoke to someone on the phone and gave me a website for redeeming it and printing the certificate w/ instructions.
About Author
Suzanne Bradley is a writer and blogger who discusses various aspects of the travel industry such as working with a travel agency.
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Sandra,
The only problem I perceive may be that when purchasing an online or e-ticket, such as with NorthAmerican Air or Delta, one of the passengers must be the holder of the credit card. When I purchased online tickets, for travel from Accra to NYC, that was the criteria.
If you don't mind my saying this, I hope that you are not in the process of falling victim to a person who is "stranded" in Ghana and needs money to buy a ticket to get back to the U.S. That is a major scam here, and I can cite plenty of actual instances in which people have posted their sad but true story. Please check the forums at tripadvisor.com for info on this.
Barb
You have found one of the problems of a debit card in the US, especially a foreign one. If a travel agent cannot help you, try going to the airline desk directly. Otherwise, I do not know any other way.
as a travel agency owner for 25 years, things have changed drastically since 9/11. there are a trememndous variety of airline taxes from airport security (911fee) to surplus fuel charges. i don't know all or what regulations are in effect from your country to here, but i would suggest you go to the US embassy in kuala lumpur and get all this info first hand as well as the strict laws governing foreign tourists to/within the US (see if they have a recommended tISTA travel agent for you to use) or since you are flying United
see if you can call there 800 number, but i don't know if its free from malaysia)
Get all your papers (passports/work visa/studentvisa or whatever)prepared and approved in advance these days, obey all laws, and do not deviate from your trip, esp. in the US without double checking with immigration officials. wheresas americans can reasonably travel thru the US, foreign nationals, such as you face many hurdles anymore due to terrorism and tighter security measures. go with a trusted internet site such as ORBITZ, TRAVELOCITY,or PRICELINE as by law, the fees they show you must include all US taxes and fees. some agencies (in your home country) can take advantage of a first time traveler like you.
i would, also, suggest you get trip interruption/canellation insurance (from a reputable company – often offered with these websites) for any unexpected emergencies as well as health insurance in case you get sick while traveling to, in, and from here(be sure it inclludes transportation back to your country if necessary) and get it IN WRITING! enjoy your flight and US visit. if you do not speak american english get a malay/english translation book to help you while here.
cholein has a good point that i forgot to mention. most online tickets are non-refundable so besure you have your dates correct as they cannot be changed without difficulty and extra fees. if all i have said makes you nervous, go to the oldest travel agency or one that is approved by your government (sanctioned agencies are usually very reputable and relaiable – they want your business back). also, watch for the display of the international society of travel agent logo (ISTA) which is multigovernmental and helps you between governments.
Depends on whether or not your credit card has a policy to intervene on your behalf in the dispute with a merchant. Call your credit card company and ask them. I know American Express does.
Yes this is one problem with Orbitz, Expedia. Also keep in mind I always say get Insurance, Protects you.
I would try http://www.vacationsnbeyond.com
You should be able to go to the American Airlines website (if you don't already have an online account with them you might need one, no big one, just sign up), check in online (since you purchased the ticket someplace other than the American website, you'll probably need your Record Locater Number or your ticket number), print out your boarding pass, you'll want to check your bags curbside, then you can head for the security line on your way to your gate.
You have one year from the date of purchase to redeem any unsed portion of a ticket. You need to read the fare rules of the tickets, some fares are so discounted that if you do not fly any portion of the round trip, you lose the remaining value. You need to contact the travel agent you used if the one year mark has not passed. If it has, you are out the money. Depending on the travel agent you used, the airline may be able to do any redemption you may be entitled to. Just be advised there is a change fee plus or minus the difference of the fares you will apply the credit to. International change fee's alone are usually around $200. Then you apply the difference of the fare to come up with the remaining balance.
You'd have to look at the fare break down to see how much you are really applying. Its not just split in half. The fare from Dallas may have been more or less than the return. Plus you have to seperate out taxes, landing fee's, security fee's and any other international fee's. Its an algebraic nightmare. On a paper ticket the fare break down is all of the numbers and letters in the middle of the ticket. The fare is next to the city code.
If the one year is coming up, you need to get this taken care of ASAP. If you are on a paper ticket you will have to go to the airport to exchange the ticket. Go ahead and have in mind what you want to exchange it for and give International Reservations a call. That way they can set up the itinerary and get the reprice done. That way the ticket agent wont have to stand on the phone for an hour (If there is not a specific International check in and only general check in) getting it taken care of and all they have to do is print the new ticket. If it was electronic, dont worry about it. Try to pick an off peak hour to get to the airport to exchange the ticket if you are on paper stock. You dont want to go during the busiest hours of the day because the lines are long and it will take a considerable amount of time to do the exchange. Go when you have 30 min-1hr to burn, it can sometimes take a while to do if they have to call and let an International agent do the work. Most ticket agents are only trained for domestic ticketing unless there is a seperated International check in like you would see in most major airports like Atlanta and JFK or Memphis in the case of Northwest.
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