Getting more out of a travel agent... alternatives?

[trippin_the_rift]

Last year combined I spent around $35K on travel (flights/hotels/car hire), mostly through my local flight center manager who now seems to see my fortnightly bookings as a drain on their time.

Is there a way to perhaps maximize this spend or somewhere this can be directed to in an effort to extract more value or discounts?

I realise it's not enough for a corporate account with airlines, but it's not your average mum and dad yearly spend either.

Does anyone know of anything that sits in the middle where it feels like the spend is valued?

 

[drron]

Ask around your area who people that travel a bit use.As i have posted before i use a local independent TA.Fee is higher than most but services are way better.We also get access to specials and special events such as mrsdrron going to a Rick stein cooking school at Mollymook.My annual spend through the TA is roughly the same as yours.I do all short trips,hotels online though.

 

[harvyk]

Last year combined I spent around $35K on travel (flights/hotels/car hire), mostly through my local flight center manager who now seems to see my fortnightly bookings as a drain on their time.

Given it is such a drain on their time, give them their time back by going somewhere else...

There are heaps of TA's who'd love to get a slice of a 35K travel budget. FMC \ Flight Center Corporate have been trying to get my business for a while now and I know that my budget isn't that high (I prob spend between $15 to $20K a year on travel, but I travel cheap), so don't rule out going to a corp TA...

 

[docjames]

Where are you based? I have a TA in Melbourne I can recommend. They also have an office in Sydney - the agency is often less important than the actual agent.

Frankly if FC are taking your $35k for granted, the question isnt whether to leave them, but how soon and where to.

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

through my local flight center manager who now seems to see my fortnightly bookings as a drain on their time.

He must have a very impressive client database if he doesn't value repeat clients at your annual spend!

WT

 

[notzac]

Frankly if FC are taking your $35k for granted, the question isnt whether to leave them, but how soon and where to.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Find someone better.

 

[fjc]

Agreed wholeheartedly. Find someone better.

Why don't you have a short discussion with them about your perception of their service before you leave? Perhaps there is a staff problem that needs to be addressed.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Why don't you have a short discussion with them about your perception of their service before you leave? Perhaps there is a staff problem that needs to be addressed.

Problem lately is that I'm doing all the work, Telling them exactly what I want to book and he standard response is 'i can see it for $xx_x, if you can find it cheaper I'll beat it by $1'.

Also my ff number has not gone into Aaand cx bookings correctly, and I only find this out at Che k in when seats are already assigned.

To be fair, there are some things I won't book thru the agent, like spg and car hire. And any good deals I find online late at night.

Based in Brisbane, but agent can be anywhere

What does everyone else do?

 

[rtyuiop]

A friend of mine is a flight centre TA in Brisbane who I'm confident will take care of you pretty well, let me know if you want his details.

Regards,

Danny

 

[docjames]

Based in Brisbane, but agent can be anywhere

As am I.

So.... I use my Melbourne based agent. Almost everything's electronic but everything else comes expresspost.

 

[drewbles]

I have an utterly fantastic agent in Perth I use (I'm in Melbourne). Will happily do anything via email or phone, and is quite happy for me to email him with 'this flight number, from-to, this fare class, book it please' and it's done. Will happily use a CC on file or allow me to call up. Everything is done perfectly, and never once had a problem. He even once called up QF knowing my parents were on a redemption and had his QF contact add a note in the booking that they were on their 40th wedding anniversary. QF noted this, and the CSM congratulated them and gave them a bottle of champagne.

It's brilliant service like this that keeps me going back. If you want his details let me know. They specialise in corporate stuff, but are more than happy to do anything from a once-a-year traveller to a big corporate

Everyone i've referred to them says they're glad they saw them. I make no money out of this recommendation, other than seeing frequent travellers get some service (where too many TA's are like flight centre and just don't care).

And the time difference often actually works to my advantage when I suddenly need to book something after 5pm in Melbourne

 

[drewbles]

For those guys who requested contact info, you've got PM's

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Would love an intro to your guy Drewbles

I sent this thread to flight center last week - got a voicemail, called back and then no response. Must be a culture thing in their organisation.

Been exploring some business opportunities within this problem - thanks to Mal and anat0l

 

[drewbles]

Would love an intro to your guy Drewbles

I sent this thread to flight center last week - got a voicemail, called back and then no response. Must be a culture thing in their organisation.

Been exploring some business opportunities within this problem - thanks to Mal and anat0l

Check your PM in around 10 minutes will send you the details

*edit*
Tried to send you a PM but says your inbox is full. Try deleting some and letting me know so I can pass the details on to you