Is it possible to change travel agents to rebook tickets?

[franky3844]

I'm hoping some of the travel experts on here might be able to give me some advice.
I have booked flights for 3 couples for next June from Australia (Melb, Syd & Bris) Mum, Dad, Son & Wife, Daughter and Partner. We all live in different states but I knew exactly what I wanted and when and where.
I booked through Harvey World Travel so I could use AMEX points. The travel agent only had to make the booking - no research as I had done it all.
We are flying from Australia - Los Angeles. Then Vegas to Honolulu and home again.
Even though everyone had holidays confirmed, one of us has been told he has to be in Australia in June so now we all have to change to August.
Nothing you can do sometimes in a Govt job!!
Anyway I had made sure flights could be cancelled just in case and it was confirmed there would be a $200 per person cancellation fee. Fair enough.

My question is - can I get another travel agent to do the cancellation and also rebook our flights.
The reason why is
1. This is the main one - my daughter is about to start work for flight centre and I would like her to be able to handle our flights as well as book our accommodation.
2. The Harvey World agent has now told me there will be a $55 per person admin charge on top of the $200pp cancellation fee. I was never told about this when I first asked what fees we would be charged if we had to change. When I queried this, she told me she MIGHT be able to get the fees waived. Now I know this is probably just a commission thing and I am not impressed.
3. Harvey World only had to book what I had written down so I really do not feel any great loyalty about all the hard work the agent had to do to get our flights. And I am sure she has already made commission anyway on them.

If we are able to change- how would I go about this?
Thanks in advance

K

 

[MrHyde]

Is the $200 a cancellation fee or a change fee. If it is a cancellation fee, then once cancelled that transaction is done and dusted. You should be able to book again from anywhere you want.

If it is a change fee, I don't know the answer. I would guess no as the travel agents owns the booking till the first leg is flown (I think I read somewhere here).

 

[franky3844]

As far as she told me it was a cancellation fee and that is what we both have been calling it. Probably worth double checking with her though. I just don't want to upset her by saying I want someone else to take over in case I have to stay with the initial travel agent.

 

[Obzerva]

Speaking as a travel agent with FC, I'm pretty sure the answer is no unfortunately.
once the booking is created and the ticket it issued it belongs to that agent, the ticket can be taken over at a later stage, but only by the airline the ticket is issued to (they may reissue it due to schedule changes or similar) in that instance the agent no longer has control of the ticket and it becomes a major pain in the cough, but the agent still owns the booking.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Speaking as a travel agent with FC, I'm pretty sure the answer is no unfortunately.
once the booking is created and the ticket it issued it belongs to that agent, the ticket can be taken over at a later stage, but only by the airline the ticket is issued to (they may reissue it due to schedule changes or similar) in that instance the agent no longer has control of the ticket and it becomes a major pain in the cough, but the agent still owns the booking.

That would be applicable if the client was amending (& maintaining) the booking but if it was an outright cancellationthen as MrHyde mentioned above when you rebook, it's from scratch so you are free to do a new booking with whoever you want.

Once factor to consider would be if you did book with your daughter at FC & she subsequently left her employer would you still be happy to have your booking handled by another consultant at FC once she has moved on?

As you would be paying full retail prices (as opposed to an Amex redemption through HWT) not only would you have airline amendment fees to contend with but FC cancellation fees which are substantial.