Have friends ever paid you to find them flights?

[miclyn111]

I have been happy to give a friend "payment" in the form of a good meal or nice drop of "medicine " as a thanks.
I would also be ok if they wanted to put the charge on their c/c for points and I give them the payment.
Travel agent would be an assest if I could find a decent one.( Maybe I have been accepting of their quotes in the past) but from this forum and a friend who has been able to find me better quotes from online web sites, I have learnt to shop around and not just accept what they give me now.
Some people just have the gift of finding such bargains for travel.....I'm still learning

cheers, miclyn111

 

[travelislife]

I've helped family and the odd friend. The only proviso was I got to run it through my cc to grab the points if I found a cheaper fare/rate or found J for not a huge amount more.

I am exactly the same. No payment required. Just a good way to make people happy and rack up those points as "payment" for my research.

 

[Maca44]

Friends have never paid me to look for flights; I have never asked them for money and would be embarrassed if they even offered. A good friend is worth a million dollars, so in that regard I consider myself a rich man. However, I seem to check expert flyer moreso than check flights to see the loading etc. I assume I am similar to many of you, and enjoy the research involved with looking for flights so it's a win win situation.

 

[cmon0005]

I too personally love researching, planning and booking my own flights and accommodation, gives you much more control compared with a TA, I find it enjoyable too.

Also I have found TA after-sales support is often slow + difficult (they sell you the ticket after that any changes or small questions that aren't chargeable are fobbed off), and you are treated more like a number.

As for booking/planning for friends, I don't mind doing so and don't charge however I hate it after doing a lot of work for them they decide to go for their own option for no good reason.
For example: Once my family member asked me to find routing from Sydney --> Kuala Lumpur --> Ho Chi Minh --> Macau --> Hong Kong --> Beijing --> Sydney

I got them good routings, and on 1 of the legs got them J seats for good price, tried sticking mostly to Oneworld airlines so they could get points/status credits and more seamless connections.

In the end instead of taking my suggestions, they went to a TA just to check what they had available...anyway long story short, they booked at the TA, with a bunch of airlines (only Economy), including jetstar, $115 cheaper than my option...
My options only included full-service airlines, mainly oneworld, 1 leg in J and better connections.

So after many many hours of research was disappointed that all my effort went to waste for the sake of $115 and in my opinion $115 is a small price to pay for the extra value and comfort they would have got from my routing, not to mention lots of FF points.

Oh well their loss I guess

 

[flmyngo]

Thank you for all of your opinions. I am the same in that I'm happy to find flights for friends without expecting anything in return (some wine wouldn't go astray though)

But it's gone beyond friends now to people I don't know, so I think it's ok to try to monetise it. I'm now working to build a website where people who want flights (but are not so good at searching) can connect with people who are good at sourcing flights.

It will be contest-based where the "flyer" would put up say a $20 or $30 prize with their flight needs (locations, dates etc) and then flight "experts" (or "hackers") can give them options for the cheapest and best flights. The flyer would then reward the prize to whichever expert gave them the best flight or advice, and go book the flight/s themselves.

Any advice on this concept is welcomed, positive or negative.

 

[harvyk]

I've given suggestions and advice to friends on flights and hotels, but never charged money for it (they are friends aren't they? surely a time comes when they will provide something back in return)
I can foresee problems if you did charge a friend and then not everything runs 100% smoothly, it may be a good way to lose a friend. With limited exception a TA doesn't necessarily want to remain your friend afterwards.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you for all of your opinions. I am the same in that I'm happy to find flights for friends without expecting anything in return (some wine wouldn't go astray though)

But it's gone beyond friends now to people I don't know, so I think it's ok to try to monetise it. I'm now working to build a website where people who want flights (but are not so good at searching) can connect with people who are good at sourcing flights.

It will be contest-based where the "flyer" would put up say a $20 or $30 prize with their flight needs (locations, dates etc) and then flight "experts" (or "hackers") can give them options for the cheapest and best flights. The flyer would then reward the prize to whichever expert gave them the best flight or advice, and go book the flight/s themselves.

Any advice on this concept is welcomed, positive or negative.

I really like this idea and i'd be up for providing itineraries and costs (so you'll have at least one other expert to help you!)

I would especially like it if the site contained a field where the applicant can state an initial quote they might have received, or an airfare they found and liked. as well as being practical (gives you a ball park to which to work to) it also means while you're working away you know you will be saving them money (not much fun for example if you do three hours work and come up with a price only to find out they already have a lower one).

some of the fields or information the applicant should provide up front include:

• proposed itinerary
• stopovers
• frequent flyer membership
• how important are gaining points to you?
• are you willing to travel low cost?
• are you willing to travel low cost in a premium cabin?
• any quotes you have received
• flight time limitations (for example, no flights departing before 9am)
• are you an experienced traveller able to handle airports and/or minimum connecting times?
• do you want options for extra services such as increased leg room?

 

[flmyngo]

I would especially like it if the site contained a field where the applicant can state an initial quote they might have received, or an airfare they found and liked. as well as being practical (gives you a ball park to which to work to) it also means while you're working away you know you will be saving them money (not much fun for example if you do three hours work and come up with a price only to find out they already have a lower one).

My thoughts exactly - having a base price to start off with is key so you know that you're saving them money and how much. If they don't give me a quote they've found or from a TA, I usually do a quick search on Expedia and use the cheapest flight there as my starting-off price to beat. I've been keeping track and 80% of the time I can save people more than 10%, but on average I'm saving 24%.

Thanks for your other suggestions about what the person wanting the flight should provide, I want to keep it really simple for them but I also need as much info as possible. It's a tough balancing act but I think some of your fields would be immensely helpful.

 

[ozmille]

I can relate to the feeling, i have family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends who come to me for help on what and where to book. Never thought about getting paid for that.

Interesting concept.

 

[11sjw]

I really like this idea and i'd be up for providing itineraries and costs (so you'll have at least one other expert to help you!)

I would especially like it if the site contained a field where the applicant can state an initial quote they might have received, or an airfare they found and liked. as well as being practical (gives you a ball park to which to work to) it also means while you're working away you know you will be saving them money (not much fun for example if you do three hours work and come up with a price only to find out they already have a lower one).

some of the fields or information the applicant should provide up front include:

• proposed itinerary
• stopovers
• frequent flyer membership
• how important are gaining points to you?
• are you willing to travel low cost?
• are you willing to travel low cost in a premium cabin?
• any quotes you have received
• flight time limitations (for example, no flights departing before 9am)
• are you an experienced traveller able to handle airports and/or minimum connecting times?
• do you want options for extra services such as increased leg room?

So will you guys carry liability if a 'customers' flights go pear shaped or will they be left to fend for themselves?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So will you guys carry liability if a 'customers' flights go pear shaped or will they be left to fend for themselves?

as I see it there is not really anything to take liability for. someone asks to get from A to B... you find an airfare and tell them where to book it. it's no different that you seeing an advertised special somewhere and telling your friends about it.

obviously, if you are going to recommend something like multiple tickets to reach your destination (for example, taking jetstar to Singapore then connecting to tiger or air Asia) the risks would need to be spelled out. but ultimately it is the passenger's choice to take or leave what you suggest.

if you recommended the qantas special to Dallas (when they were first introduced for $999), would you feel responsible for anything that went pear shaped drug their journey?

 

[arraitch]

There is a variety of proposals being discussed here, but some care might be required if a service was to be offered to the general public, as opposed to word of mouth among friends and family. In Western Australia (and, I presume, other Australian jurisdictions) a licence is required to carry on business as a travel agent. From Do I need to be licensed - Consumer Protection - Department of Commerce:

All individuals, firms, or bodies corporate (companies and other incorporated bodies) who carry on business as travel agents must be licensed under the Travel Agents Act. This includes general sales agents, tour operators, wholesalers and consolidators as well as retail agents. A person "carries on business" as a travel agent if they carry on any one or more of the following activities:

• selling tickets that entitle other people to travel, or otherwise arranging for other peoples' rights of passage on conveyances (i.e. means of transport such as planes, boats, or trains);
• selling or arranging or making available other peoples' travel to a particular place and accommodation at that place; and/or
• purchasing for resale, the rights of passage on conveyances.

A licence is not required if you only:

• make domestic travel arrangements (ie. travel within Australia) and your gross annual turnover in respect of those arrangements does not exceed $50,000;
• sell tickets, buy for resale or otherwise arrange rights of travelfor other persons on conveyances that leave and arrive at the same place on the same day (day excursions, sightseeing trips etc); or
• sell tickets or arrange travel for other persons on a conveyance that you own. (Note: If you also arrange accommodation for those people, at places you take them to, then you will require a licence unless you own both the conveyance and the place of accommodation).

Bona fide employees of licensed travel agents are not required to hold a travel agents licence if they are only selling tickets for or arranging travel in the course of their employment.

 

[11sjw]

as I see it there is not really anything to take liability for. someone asks to get from A to B... you find an airfare and tell them where to book it. it's no different that you seeing an advertised special somewhere and telling your friends about it.

obviously, if you are going to recommend something like multiple tickets to reach your destination (for example, taking jetstar to Singapore then connecting to tiger or air Asia) the risks would need to be spelled out. but ultimately it is the passenger's choice to take or leave what you suggest.

if you recommended the qantas special to Dallas (when they were first introduced for $999), would you feel responsible for anything that went pear shaped drug their journey?

My concern was people are discussing obtaining a fee for that service or recommendation hence what happens if your recommendation stuffs up?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My concern was people are discussing obtaining a fee for that service or recommendation hence what happens if your recommendation stuffs up?

it depends on how you look at it... but essentially you have no part in the contract... that remains between the passenger and the airline. if someone says they are looking to go to London on airline X for $1899 and I say 'klm has an early-bird special at the moment for $1499' what's there to stuff up?

friends of my parents came to me the other day and wanted to go to Europe... into Madrid and out of Paris. they were going to fly via London each way. I said 'save yourself hours of time and a transfer at heathrow and go emirates with only one stop each way'

they thought that was a fantastic idea and went off to their travel agent and booked it.

arraitch... thanks for the info... I had a look at how they define travel agent... but from what I understand this service is not planning to carry on any of the activities listed. not even, for example, is this service arranging or making available travel services. the arranging and 'making available' is actually done by a travel agent or by the airline (which the passenger does directly with the airline say via the Internet).

if the passengers asked you to go ahead and book them on these flights that you have found... that may well be different.

 

[medhead]

Actually a contract is involved, this scheme offers advice in return for a fee. A potential liability arises from that advice. Someone mentioned outlining the risks of flying jetstar and then tiger. So what happens if your customer decides you didn't outline those risks and takes you to court? Without liability insurance this could get expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Actually a contract is involved, this scheme offers advice in return for a fee. A potential liability arises from that advice. Someone mentioned outlining the risks of flying jetstar and then tiger. So what happens if your customer decides you didn't outline those risks and takes you to court? Without liability insurance this could get expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

yes, there is a contract... but in my post I was referring to not being a part of the contract of carriage (in response to the question 'what if something stuffs up?'... which I took to mean 'what if their flight is delayed/cancelled')

perhaps it would be wise for the OP to seek some basic legal advice on offering this service, which I think is the equivalent of providing a research facility for people to tap into.

from what I understand, the serive is not guaranteeing the best fare, the most convenient fare, nor the best value for money.

I don't think there is any duty of care arising (for a negligence based claim).

I could perhaps see some contractual issues if, for example, the applicant requested fares that were on star alliance (to accrue points) but the options given were only on one world. but the applicant has paid the fee. clearly what they have received is not what they thought they were getting. there might be a case for refund there.

I think it's right to raise legal possibilities. perhaps the op should put together a list of potential pitfalls which should be submitted for a legal opinion.