Calling the Airline VS searching the Web

[pax1a]

Sometimes I find a great fare on the Web, but when you go back latter, of course it's gone.

Just recently I phone MH about 2 x J Class fares from LHR to BNE and they gave me a deal which I could not find on the Web.
Previously I have called one airline for a deal I saw on the Web, the operator said "No we are all sold out - Hmmm let me talk to my manger...... OK we can do $x"

Now making Phone calls is a pain but I usually have at any one time about 20 idle staff in a Philippine call centre that I can throw at this problem.

So the question to FF experts is... Is it worth while calling the Airlines Directly for deals?

pax1a

 

[rechoboam]

I have no idea. But perhaps you should hire out your staff to us to try on our behalf!

 

[pax1a]

I have no idea. But perhaps you should hire out your staff to us to try on our behalf!

I have quite a few in training, so I can hire them out for Free $0.
If anyone wants to design up a "Template"
I'm happy to run it through the machine

pax1a

 

[QF10]

Try calling a good travel agent. The Travel websites can be a bit of a con with their booking fees on international flights and special deals with favoured airlines. The websites already earn a commission all be it small on the ticket. A lot of Travel agents also charge a service fee (flight centre). but some don't particularly if your booking accommodation as well.


If you've got a good personal agent stick to them I say! I haven't got the time to dick around the web comparing airfares only to find a service fee that they didn't quote you on, tacked on just as you pay! (Which throws out your comparison with the other website anyway) all to save $20 bucks! Depending on what you get paid an hour...is it really worth your while? But i guess if you enjoy surfing the net comparing airfares, that's another story.

 

[rechoboam]

Try calling a good travel agent. The Travel websites can be a bit of a con with their booking fees on international flights and special deals with favoured airlines. The websites already earn a commission all be it small on the ticket. A lot of Travel agents also charge a service fee (flight centre). but some don't particularly if your booking accommodation as well.


If you've got a good personal agent stick to them I say! I haven't got the time to dick around the web comparing airfares only to find a service fee that they didn't quote you on, tacked on just as you pay! (Which throws out your comparison with the other website anyway) all to save $20 bucks! Depending on what you get paid an hour...is it really worth your while? But i guess if you enjoy surfing the net comparing airfares, that's another story.

Its funny you say that as I spend far too long working out the fares on ita/matrix then email the whole lot to a travel agent for ticketing...but i like this system.