How to defer paying for flights until closer to travel

[JohnK]

Starting to plan trip for March/April 2023 and would like to lock flights in now but don't want to commit $3000 right now.

I've checked Flight Centre online and you can pay for flights closer to travel but they offer limited flight options on SQ and generally more expensive than what one can get direct with airline.

Are travel agents working on commissions from airlines or mark-ups?

Any suggestions on how I can defer the cost of flights?

 

[bam71]

It depends on the airfare, the airline will decide the ticketing date, and usually it is dependent on the fare paid.
In saying that however they do have the right to revise the ticketing deadline date at any time.

eg SYD BKK $880.00 return QF

TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 3 DAYS AFTER
RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE
DEPARTURE WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.

SYD BKK $2350 QF

CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE
DEPARTURE, TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 30 DAYS
AFTER RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 13 DAYS BEFORE
DEPARTURE WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
OR - CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL
SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 8 DAYS BEFORE
DEPARTURE, TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 5
DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.
OR - CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL
SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 4 DAYS BEFORE
DEPARTURE, TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 3
DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.
OR - CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL
SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 1 DAY BEFORE
DEPARTURE, TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN DAY
RESERVATIONS ARE MADE.
OR - CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL
SECTORS.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 60 MINUTES
AFTER RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 60 MINUTES
BEFORE DEPARTURE WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.

 

[AIRwin]

Are travel agents working on commissions from airlines or mark-ups?

Recent article by @AFF Editor :

Article: Airlines Slash Travel Agent Commissions

Airlines Slash Travel Agent Commissions is an article written by AFF editorial staff: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/airlines-slash-travel-agent-commissions/ You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[JohnK]

So I guess that means the higher the booking class the more chance of paying later.

My biggest concern is paying $3000-$4000 now for travel in March/April next year and things turn to custard.

I can handle losing $500 on cancelled flights like I did 2 years ago but not $3000. I don't want to have that much sitting in flight credit.

 

[RooFlyer]

Are travel agents working on commissions from airlines or mark-ups?

TAs traditionally have worked on commissions but some are now charging a fee - still worth every penny especially now with all the cancellations etc.

The best lurk used to be the TA checking availability and if OK, cancelling the booking and re-booking it, thus kicking the payment time down the road. Frequently deferred payment by abt 4 months on a RTW. Unfortunately mosly no longer possible.

 

[CaptJCool]

Do Qantas still have that pay later option .?

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/payment-options/book-now-pay-later.html#hold-booking

from memory, it was on Flex and J class fares but didn’t work on Red-E deals

 

[JohnK]

Possibly @CaptJCool.

For now I'm steering clear of Qantas. This is looking like they will be SQ flights.