Travel agent gone AWOL

[mrsterryn]

From what I understand, MR isn't your typical walk-in travel agent. I know there have been times where he has actually asked not to take on any more clients.

Actually I can to a degree confirm this. I tried on a few occasions to utilise MR services but was unsuccessful. I had assumed due to the lack of response they were extreme busy and not requiring more work

 

[SeatBackForward]

But I do think we've basically reached the end of any further meaningful discussion so I'll bow out now.

I agree, it's now entering the realms of pure conjecture, so time to end for me too.

 

[lovestotravel]

I'll give one example. I was on a status run SYD>MEL>AKL and then returning the next day AKL>BNE>SYD. I had Intentionally chosen the A330 flight for the AKL>BNE.

As I was boarding in MEL, I was contacted by MR and advised the AKL>BNE flight had been cancelled, and Qantas by default were rebooking me onto another BNE>AKL flight later in the day (or maybe even the next day, I can't recall). Mind you at this time nothing had been received by QF, either by email, or in the app to advise of the cancellation and changes.

MR gave me the option to go with the Qantas offerings, or just to take a direct AKL>SYD flight, and then sent me all the screenshots from the booking system I'd need to raise an email with QF for requesting original routing credits. All taken care of by the travel agent, no extra cost, nothing on my side other than raising the ORC request.

There is definitely value in using a competent TA.

A competent one, would be one that can reply faster than 4-6 weeks, can use an out of office message, IF actually on some sort of holiday and say sorry instead of belittling the person who simply wanted answers.

From what I understand, MR isn't your typical walk-in travel agent. I know there have been times where he has actually asked not to take on any more clients.

My TA also doesn't take on new clients unless by referral and only high-spend clients.

I still get great service from him, except for the odd follow up request..

 

[justinbrett]

Of course. But I have to ask. Were you emails regarding immediate travel or in the next few months kind of issues?

They were somewhat time sensitive, adding seats to a OWA (he’s my nominated P1 agent so can request seat releases for me).

In terms of ticketing or processing a cancellation, I’ve never expected that to be actioned immediately, because I understand that MR knows the deadlines. It’s very much a “trust the process” situation. It seems his regular clients get this but it’s definitely not for everyone.

From what I understand, MR isn't your typical walk-in travel agent. I know there have been times where he has actually asked not to take on any more clients.

He hasn’t been taking on new clients for a while - I asked if he’d take a friend on back in May but he had to decline.

 

[Pushka]

They were somewhat time sensitive, adding seats to a OWA (he’s my nominated P1 agent so can request seat releases for me).

In terms of ticketing or processing a cancellation, I’ve never expected that to be actioned immediately, because I understand that MR knows the deadlines. It’s very much a “trust the process” situation. It seems his regular clients get this but it’s definitely not for everyone.



He hasn’t been taking on new clients for a while - I asked if he’d take a friend on back in May but he had to decline.

Thanks for clarifiying. I guess when I make the decision to cancel I'd like it to happen in a short period of time (maybe a week) and then know I can make any alternate arrangements. I don't think I'd cope with the 'trust the process' timeline. Because as a customer I have no visibility on what that actually looks like. I guess it's to do with risk profiles too. I'm a minimalist risk taker.

All of which boils down to communication I guess.

 

[aspro2]

A fundamental problem in the ongoing discussion is the substantial disconnect between:

1. I've used MR and know he's good and am willing to tolerate quirks or have not had the misfortune to be exposed to the quirks.
vs
2. A new/newish/nervous/conventional customer has no way of knowing that dealing with MR requires an unconventional commercial relationship, and the ability to read minds. And that thereafter the customer might end up in group (1). Or not.

 

[Mr_Tee]

The OP has clearly indicated in this thread that their travel is not until late September (and even later than that). Cancelling and refunding is not an urgent issue that needs to be addressed right now on the spot if there's other passengers that I have assessed to require more urgent attention.

A fundamental problem in the ongoing discussion is the substantial disconnect between:

1. I've used MR and know he's good and am willing to tolerate quirks or have not had the misfortune to be exposed to the quirks.
vs
2. A new/newish/nervous/conventional customer has no way of knowing that dealing with MR requires an unconventional commercial relationship, and the ability to read minds. And that thereafter the customer might end up in group (1). Or not.

....and not to mention the undocumented and unspoken requirement that a client is to leave decision making as to whether the refund should be addressed now/when requested by the client, or at some undetermined and uncommunicated date in the future, to the sole discretion of the TA.

What if the OP needed the money to be refunded for something else?