Getting Cheaper Fares Through Travel Agents

Cheap fares through agents

While booking online is increasingly the norm for Aussies, we are still behind Europeans and Americans when it comes to booking travel this way.  Despite the perception that booking online is the cheapest option agents can still provide some great deals, as long as you avoid their common dirty tricks.

If you have decided on an agent try the following tips.

Tips on price matching/beating

People tend to get a quote from an agent/online and take it to a travel agent to match/beat.  Sometimes this is the worst thing you can do!

If the agent has a fare that is dramatically cheaper than your quote you bring in chances are they will just match the price you have (maybe with a nominal amount off) making more off you in the process (this is pretty normal).  For this reason bringing in quotes to match can sometimes work against you: it’s better to know what’s around from a few places and keep that price in mind when speaking to a new agent.

Once you have the cheapest price take it to another agent and see if they can beat it for you (maybe one with a price guarantee).

Starting out with a variety of websites (listed in finding the cheapest fares online) is the best way to begin.  If not online be sure to ring around or visit some different agencies (even within the same companies).

Travel agencies can have a certain amount of seats with particular airlines that they can sell for sometimes much less than what’s online or through other agencies.  Its worth checking around!

Flight Centre and STA

Flight Centre advertises “the lowest prices guaranteed”, but this does not mean you will get the cheapest quote first up.  If their advertising has you believing they are always the cheapest and you don’t shop around, then you might end paying far more than you have to.

By the same token agencies that advertise cheaper flights for students (STA, Student Flights) may not always be the cheapest if you are planning on using your student status for a cheap deal.  See  Student flights for more on this.

Agents rely on commission and will use any means they can to get extra cash out of you.

If possible be flexible with dates/times/stopovers

Being flexible with your dates, even by a few days either side, of what you want is a key way to finding cheaper seats.  Apart from flexibility with dates a good agent might know a route/airline combination that will take you on a roundabout trip to your destination and save you money in the process.  Make sure to ask if there are alternative ways to get there if you don’t mind the extra journey time.

When dealing with an agent it’s important to be clear and confidant regarding what you want

Statements like “it’s my first time away and I don’t have a clue about flights”, will almost certainly have an effect on the price you are quoted.   If the agent knows you have shopped around, and have a decent idea of current prices you will far more likely to get the cheapest price first up.  Agents are taught to find this sort of thing out. So try be confidant with what you want.

If you are ready and have the money, try to book and pay in full

This is really a way to avoid lots of potential dramas and price increases on your ticket…

Airline taxes do fluctuate (usually on a Tuesday), and you will have to pay any difference if the tax goes up between deposit and full payment.  As an agent this was an area that caused constant drama with customers; agents don’t control the taxes, airlines do.  Until you have paid in full you will have to pay any increase in tax.

The dates of final payments is an area where many travel agents make mistakes; airlines can change final dates of payment without notice, or send through obscure messages (say while the agents are away for a few days).  The agent will have to cover the cost of any higher fares, but you might end up flying at a different time if there are no seats available.  Paying in full is really the best way to take out any hassles down the track.

Agents will rarely want you to pay the balance of a fare more than a week or two after deposit; commissions are collected monthly so they will most likely pressure you to pay by the end of the month you have booked.

There are credit card fees involved booking through all travel agencies in Australia (from 2% upwards) so be prepared to pay cash or have your daily limit increased on your savings account to avoid any unnecessary charges (which can usually be done in an instant over the phone with your bank).  Most savings cards only have that $1000.00 limit; just try to plan ahead!.

Agents

Also important to consider is if you are comfortable with the agent you are using, it might be worth the extra $50 to book with somebody you are more comfortable calling should you get into trouble with your flight.

While this guide might seem long, getting the best deal is really just a matter of being a little savvy with current pricing before you book.  Shop around, shop early and be ready to pay in full when you find the cheapest deal.

As with booking online, always check the conditions of the ticket before you purchase.  A good agent will be able to explain quickly and easily what the cancellation/date change fees are on your ticket.  The cheapest tickets will be the most restrictive, might be non-refundable or cost a small fortune to change the dates.

For more on choosing an agent versus booking online see: Booking online versus using an agent

or Travel agents: am I being ripped off?.

Back to travel advice

Category: Finding Cheap Fares, Travel Blog, Travel Money