THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
An old friend recently called. Her father had just died. She was in tears and extremely frustrated by her attempts to fly home. She had called the only airline she knew that flew there; the airline quoted her a ``bereavement'' fare of $630.
She said, ``I don't want to buy the plane, just a seat on it.''
I am a travel agent. I made several phone calls for her. I was able to find a fare of $165 lower ($465). It felt so good to be able to help out in this difficult time, but it brought to mind the people who pay much more than necessary for travel arrangements.
My point: Use a travel agent. Every travel agent in Hampton Roads can do this for you. All will research airlines' prices and give you choices. If you call an airline, why should it give you information about a competing airline? Travel agents are paid a commission by the airlines they sell. It's already bundled into the price. If you go to the airline, that airline keeps the commission.
Travel agents will never try to sell the highest fare in order to make more money. They build customer loyalty by finding the best value for their clients. Some people will still want to call the airline, which is their perogative. But they shouldn't give the airline a credit-card number. Call a travel agent first. See if the agent can find a better price.
Whether or not a better fare can be found, the travel agent will be able to prepare your ticket, obtain seat assignments, contact you if there is a schedule change or fare reduction, arrange for special meals, compute rental-car and hotel rates and provide other services. Give them a chance to show what they can do for you.
CAROL S. PETTYJOHN
Portsmouth, April 25, 1996 by CNB