Travel Agents that Don't Charge Credit Card Fees?

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beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

#87836 8-Aug-2011 16:14

Could somebody please let me know a travel agent that does not charge a credit card surcharge? All of the ones I have spoken to so far charge 2% and when you're booking 4 long haul tickets its quite a lot!

Thanks in advance.

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6434 posts

Uber Geek

#503413 8-Aug-2011 16:15

don't use an agent. buy direct from whoever you want to book with

beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

#503418 8-Aug-2011 16:20

I would but I can't bring up the same route online. Its with Lufthansa and has a different stopover each way.

StarBlazer

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#503426 8-Aug-2011 16:30

beforenightfalls: I would but I can't bring up the same route online. Its with Lufthansa and has a different stopover each way.

Call the airline. If you can't book it online they will usually do you a special deal anyway. The the Travel Agent has given you a price use that as the starting point for bartering. The Airline would happily give you a discount over paying the TA a commission.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

mattwnz

16857 posts

Uber Geek

#503428 8-Aug-2011 16:34

beforenightfalls: Could somebody please let me know a travel agent that does not charge a credit card surcharge? All of the ones I have spoken to so far charge 2% and when you're booking 4 long haul tickets its quite a lot!

Thanks in advance.

They do get charged by their credit card provider that fee, so whether they pass it on directly, or it is covered by their fees, you are paying for it anyway. Airlines can also charge it.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#503442 8-Aug-2011 16:48

Doubt you'll find one. Credit card fees are pretty considerable on a $2k + airfare and would absorb a chunk of their already slim margins.

StarBlazer

961 posts

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#503445 8-Aug-2011 16:51

sbiddle: Doubt you'll find one. Credit card fees are pretty considerable on a $2k + airfare and would absorb a chunk of their already slim margins.

And then some - flights to the UK going to be 10-15K for 3 adults (one of which is only 12) and 1 child. Although some great deals around if you are prepared to shop around.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

nate

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#503459 8-Aug-2011 17:19

Pay cash?

timmmay

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#503471 8-Aug-2011 18:01

I used http://www.Expedia.co.nz to book my last holiday. I'll never go back to a regular travel agent again.

sbiddle: Doubt you'll find one. Credit card fees are pretty considerable on a $2k + airfare and would absorb a chunk of their already slim margins.

I think their margins are pretty healthy. If you check expedia vs a Flight Centre quote you can see how much they pad it. Plus on expedia last time I got 50% off the accommodation, booking Fiji two months out, we got a suite for less than Flight Centre was charging for a regular little room :)

SpookyAwol

517 posts

Ultimate Geek

#503472 8-Aug-2011 18:02

Wifey (travel agent) says its not always the case. Ive sent you a PM if you want to contact her via email and she can advise better :-)

beforenightfalls

185 posts

Master Geek

#503473 8-Aug-2011 18:04

If I knew how to bring up the same route with expedia I would! Its about $6000 more when I put the same route in with them! I will have a go at calling Lufthansa tomorrow.

sbiddle

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#503474 8-Aug-2011 18:11

timmmay: I used http://www.Expedia.co.nz to book my last holiday. I'll never go back to a regular travel agent again.

sbiddle: Doubt you'll find one. Credit card fees are pretty considerable on a $2k + airfare and would absorb a chunk of their already slim margins.

I think their margins are pretty healthy. If you check expedia vs a Flight Centre quote you can see how much they pad it. Plus on expedia last time I got 50% off the accommodation, booking Fiji two months out, we got a suite for less than Flight Centre was charging for a regular little room :)

Margins on most flights are typically around 5% - 7.5% these days. Travel agents make all their money selling extras.

If you're making 5% on a flight having to absorb half of that on credit card fees isn't good.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#503475 8-Aug-2011 18:11

Just pay the 2% sounds like all the leg work you are doing is crazy

PenultimateHop

637 posts

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#503479 8-Aug-2011 18:18

It's typical now. Some travel agents used to get around it by running the charges through the airline, but even now many airlines charge a credit card payment fee (and it's often more than 2% since they are usually a fixed charge per ticket).

I'd be surprised if you can avoid it unless you find yourself booking a fairly expensive package holiday where they can absorb it in their margins (hotels, cars, etc all provide much better commissions than airfares do).

I shudder when I see how much I pay each year in travel agency fees, particularly when my travel agent is a computer. I don't mind paying for humans when they're good, because a good travel agent can save me far more than I'd ever pay in CC charges.

floydbloke

2298 posts

Uber Geek

#503556 8-Aug-2011 20:43

Somehwat off-topic but related. Despite the numerous on-line options available for booking travel and the financial situation of the last few years there must still be money to be made in running a travel-agent shop. I can think of at least 9 within a 1 km radius of the middle of Lambton Quay.

= > ÷

knoydart

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#503558 8-Aug-2011 20:47

Play the agents against each other with their price matching promises . I saved the 2% CC fee with a 200 meter walk up and down Willis Street in Welly a few months ago

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