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Monday, February 20, 2012

How human travel agents win vs. online agencies

At various times in the three decades I have written about travel, old-fashioned brick-and-mortar travel agents have taken me to task for seeming to favor online travel agencies (Expedia, Orbitz, etc) when searching for the lowest air fares. I don't have a bias for or against either method of booking, but maybe I should -- in favor of the human beings. Read this good Frugal Traveler column from yesterday's Times and tell me what you think about the conclusions the writer found. 
Posted by Tom Belden @ 12:10 PM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:53 PM, 02/20/2012
    You can't argue with numbers. According to the Airline Reporting Corporation, Online Travel Agents (OTAs) average domestic airline ticket in 2011 was $91.42 less than traditional brick and mortar agencies and $109.67 less than the mega agencies (top 10).

    For international tickets, the OTAs are less than $197.29 than the brick and mortar agencies and $1,079.55 less than the mega agencies.
    — chickefitz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:49 PM, 02/22/2012
    as a Travel Agent, I have to say it depends on the flight and the traveler. If you have a FF program and are accumulating miles by frequent travel, having a dedicated agent is a great idea. An agent will be able to ensure you are always getting miles for you flights and maximizing the ease of experience by using air alliances, etc. If you are doing a multi-city or complex itinerary, then use a TA. if you are doing something basic and domestic, do it yourself. Airlines no longer pay travel agents for domestic flights (used to be 15%) so agents are going to have to charge. a good agent should always be able to find the best fare, but if they aren't getting paid for doing so, they have to charge.
    — Northeaster
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:00 AM, 02/23/2012
    Article this morning by Linda Loyd about usairways threat to fly less flights into PHL because of airport expansion at a cost of over 10 billion dollars.
    — STEVE5444


3 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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