Another TA Story

[Travel Guru]

Not sure if anyone caught this story online at Fairfax Travel about Travel Agents, but interesting to see what a more well rounded article on TA's looks like instead of the dribble a certain News Ltd. "journalist" recently published.

It's interesting reading through some of the comments, it would seem that the average Fairfax News reader is far more articulate than the western sydney News Ltd reader....am I being too judgemental or do you think im onto something assuming that Fairfax attracts a more intelligent readership than No-News?

Agents of change: do you still need the shop? - Travellers' Check - Travel - The Age Blogs

TG

 

[drron]

I am not too sure TG.I have my doubts as to Fairfax journalists-a few stories I have been involved with over the years suggest they are prone to the same errors as no-news.
As to the comments there were a mixture with some certainly displaying an illogical bias-why on earth would they think expedia is more reliable than a TA you can talk to?Just a quick search of Trip advisor will come up with some horror stories.
Then there is that unexplainable belief that everything you read on the internet is truthful and unbiased.Why I have been told some people even believe the garbage I put out.:shock::shock::shock:

 

[Travel Guru]

True.

My personal favorite was the individual who commented that TA's receive a commission of 25-35%...I wish!

We do receive good comm. on Travel Insurance, but TA's dont sell much of that anymore, if I receive 25-35% across the board i'd be living on Necker Island not on the Gold Coast!

TG

 

[harvyk]

I thought the nonews article was nothing but bait to enrage the average working class bogan.

The Age article I think hits the mark on the head. For point to point flights, the internet works nicely, but as soon as you need to do anything outside of that a TA's value comes into play. Of course if an agency does become greedy then they will not survive.

But I don't think you can say one agency is better or worse than another, I personally think it comes down to the agent. A good agent (no matter what company) will do all in their power to ensure that things run smoothly. They understand timings, booking systems, and they will give advice which will save you money. A bad agent will simply be looking at getting as many $$$ out of your wallet before they move onto the next job.

 

[serfty]

Obviously they know of you TG - there is reference to "a good agent" no less than three times in the article.

And that's the point - a Good Agent can be worth their weight in gold for the regular traveller ...

 

[N860CR]

I'm guessing the travel insurance is about the only big earner for TA's these days?

About a year ago I was hunting for an early-bird fare to the US, so I dropped in to ask two travel agents what they had going. Both gave prices on the same flights that varied by about $500 between the two (both quoted much higher than the airline themselves) and before even being told prices/flights etc I got hard sells on travel insurance any why my credit card policy was useless.

I'm guessing that the "chain" travel agents are pushing their agents to sell insurance products at all costs?

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm guessing the travel insurance is about the only big earner for TA's these days?

About a year ago I was hunting for an early-bird fare to the US, so I dropped in to ask two travel agents what they had going. Both gave prices on the same flights that varied by about $500 between the two (both quoted much higher than the airline themselves) and before even being told prices/flights etc I got hard sells on travel insurance any why my credit card policy was useless.

I'm guessing that the "chain" travel agents are pushing their agents to sell insurance products at all costs?

Absolutely, they have too to get their over-rides.

There are other areas where good margins can be made, but it more involves cutting out aussie wholesalers and dealing with ground operators directly, its never about taking advantage of the client, its about win:win, the client gets the price cheaper than if we'd booked with an aus w/saler and we make a slightly healthier margin to enable us to give a level of service far superior to that of most retail TA's.

TG

 

[tuppaware]

Travel Guru who do you work for?
Or can't you be saying that on the forum?

 

[Keith009]

I am not too sure TG.I have my doubts as to Fairfax journalists-a few stories I have been involved with over the years suggest they are prone to the same errors as no-news.

Whilst I have similar gripes with the Fairfaxistas (in particular the Spencer Street Soviet), I do have to say this article appears more balanced than the News Ltd one, acknowledging and explaining both the pros and cons of using a TA. Can't say the same about the accompanying articulate and well-informed comments however.

 

[Travel Guru]

Travel Guru who do you work for?
Or can't you be saying that on the forum?

I work for myself, but I don't publicise it on the board as im here to participate and add value, not to market my services, though I do look after travel for several AFF'ers after being approached.

I spent 5 years with the 'highly esteemed' :mrgreen::mrgreen: Flight Centre in consulting and managing before going out on my own 2+ years ago, and never looked back!

I mainly do SME Corporate, Group Travel and Luxury Leisure, but do a bit of everything in the course of a day.

TG

 

[JohnK]

I think for certain itineraries and tour bookings travel agents still add great value.

am I being too judgemental or do you think im onto something assuming that Fairfax attracts a more intelligent readership than No-News?

Are you saying people who read the Courier-Mail and not the Australian or Herald are less intelligent? :shock:

News? Who cares about news? The Courier-Mail has much better pictures, more sport and is easier to hold and flick through than the other bigger newspapers.

 

[QF WP]

OMG, JohnK is a convert to the Courier Mail

Travel Guru, if and when I need a TA, you'll be the first I contact :idea:.

I remember having a good first TA (Diana Brittain from NAB Travel) back in the late 80's. She left and I found a former workmate who was at FC. Stayed with him and the other TA's there until they all moved on (one moved office to Spring Hill, so was only 200m from me at work). Then she got pregnant and never returned.

They used to love me - I would put their TIDS number into my accom bookings so they looked after me for the flights.

So I turned to my new research points - AFF, FT adn the community of knowledge - and have never looked back.

Interestingly, my ex-wife moved from QF to FC (don't know or care if she's still there) :shock:

 

[Travel Guru]

Travel Guru, if and when I need a TA, you'll be the first I contact :idea:.

Thanks Lindsay, coming from yourself, some who's posts ive respect and enjoyed from the moment I joined AFF, I take that as a huge compliment.

TG

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Lindsay

Interestingly, my ex-wife moved from QF to FC (don't know or care if she's still there) :shock:

Never heard of anyone going from an airline to a TA and being happy. That's not to say it doesn't happen - I just haven't heard of any examples.

She's probably moved on to another TA & found she's just as unhappy there so perhaps contemplating a return to the white 'rat'.

Of course going from a TA to an airline is a different matter altogether.

Oz

 

[Travel Guru]

Lindsay



Never heard of anyone going from an airline to a TA and being happy. That's not to say it doesn't happen - I just haven't heard of any examples.

She's probably moved on to another TA & found she's just as unhappy there so perhaps contemplating a return to the white 'rat'.

Of course going from a TA to an airline is a different matter altogether.

Oz

Gee, no need to ask who you work for!

TG

 

[ozbeachbabe]

TG

I'm not putting the boot in to travel agents I just saying that a lot of airline employees are used to being on a gravy train & think working in a travel agency is going to be all beer and skittles when in fact it's a lot of
hard yakka and not all are prepared for that.

Oz

 

[Keith009]

News? Who cares about news? The Courier-Mail has much better pictures, more sport and is easier to hold and flick through than the other bigger newspapers.

One of the reasons why I ask for the Financial Review on flights is because it's so much easier to hold than the Australian or the Age. Plus I tend to think the FR makes you look more intelligent (hence also an essential prop for job interviews).

 

[Travel Guru]

TG

I'm not putting the boot in to travel agents I just saying that a lot of airline employees are used to being on a gravy train & think working in a travel agency is going to be all beer and skittles when in fact it's a lot of
hard yakka and not all are prepared for that.

Oz

Sincerest apologies OBB, I was half asleep when I was reading and posting last night and for some reason I thought the discussion surrounded how you've never met anyone who's gone from booking with an airline to booking with a TA thats been happy, not working for them.

I shall now proceed to remove foot from mouth! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

TG

 

[QF WP]

hahaha, that was good interplay between the two of you.

Never heard of anyone going from an airline to a TA and being happy. That's not to say it doesn't happen - I just haven't heard of any examples.

She's probably moved on to another TA & found she's just as unhappy there so perhaps contemplating a return to the white 'rat'.

The ex-wife originally worked for a bus line picking up Japanese at BNE Intl. A QF'er heard her Japanese skills (she's done a BA, majored in Japanese with an intensive year over at Kochi University). She was poached by QF Inbound to be their ground rep on the Gold Coast (This was all before I knew her)

She moved to QF Holidays back in Brisbane, talking to TA's booking packages for pax. She had enough of that, so she applied for an Intl FA job. When QF saw her language skills on her personnel file, they didn't even ask her to do the obligatory language test. But she failed at the group interview stage. She then moved to BNE Intl as a QF CSA (specialised in Group Check In).

We then split and I heard later, she was working for FC. At that time, I had my FC person confirm which shopfront she was working (not that it mattered where).

I have no idea where she is now...it's been years and we have no need to be in contact.

 

[QF WP]

I'm not putting the boot in to travel agents I just saying that a lot of airline employees are used to being on a gravy train & think working in a travel agency is going to be all beer and skittles when in fact it's a lot of hard yakka and not all are prepared for that.

The hours are okay, the job can have it's moment - but the shift work is a killer (for both person and partner). That was part of our undoing (marriage) - lack of time together.

You would understand the issues intimately.