Agents boycott Swiss, Lufthansa
Planetto survey: 53% of travel agents won't sell tickets for these airlines.
Dalia Tal 16 Jan 08 11:52
Israeli travel agents are displeased by a decision by Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DAX:LHAN) and its subsidiary Swiss International Airlines to cancel the agents' commission beginning in September 2008. A survey by Planetto Ltd. of 70 travel agencies with 600 independent and salaried agents found that 53% of agents will not sell tickets for either airline because they will not receive a commission. The survey also found that 37% of agents said that they would recommend alternative airlines to travelers.
Only 6% of travel agents said that they would continue offering tickets on Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines. Planetto said that survey's results showed that even salaries travel agents, whose income would not be affected by loss of commissions, were willing to take on extra work to seek alternatives in order to avoid airlines that will not pay commissions.
Bicoastal From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 7462 times:
US airlines stopped paying commissions years ago. Travel agents objected, but ultimately agents need the airlines more than the airlines need the agents. Now US travel agents charge their clients a booking fee or eat the cost. With so many Internet travel websites, including the airlines' sites, travel agents are becoming obsolete.
Laxintl From United States of America, joined exactly 13 years ago today! , 22062 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 7305 times:
Israeli travel agents can start to get with the times -- let them charge service fees if they wish to customers.
Commissions have gone the way of the do-do-bird. With easy distribution means such as the internet and e-tickets neither the airlines not consumer are held hostage by travel agents any longer.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 4, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 7197 times:
Quoting JFK787NYC (Thread starter): The survey also found that 37% of agents said that they would recommend alternative airlines to travelers.
Interesting that they would do that. Potential for defamation.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Defamation would only be a worry if the T/A's actually said something derogatory about LH/LX ... recommending a different airline is by no means defamation.
I'm tired of the A vs. B sniping. Neither make planes that shed wings randomly!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 6, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 7175 times:
Quoting Brenintw (Reply 5):
Defamation would only be a worry if the T/A's actually said something derogatory about LH/LX ... recommending a different airline is by no means defamation.
Therein lies the question. If they say something false about LH/LX in trying to steer people away, that is defamation.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 7150 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 3): Funny, I looked at the title and said to myself: what have Swiss and Lufty done to upset Mossad?!!
I thought the same thing!
It is too bad that the Travel Agency is quickly (if not already) a thing of the past. A good travel agent was a great person to know, lots of inside info, tips, and travel ideas. A person rather then the internet.
Oh well, I guess we just post a thread here to find interesting places! I tried to us our agency for as long as we could justify it, but when the cost of issuing a ticket went up to $25.-, it was time to move on.
I will say however, in '96 when my dad was taken ill in Rome, it was our travel agency here in Detroit that took care of my urgent needs to get to FCO and back to Detriot. It's a shame that they too were forced out of business. I used to love going in and seeing a lot of their old airline ads, etc.
I guess the travel agency has gone the way of the city ticket office.
Wj From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2006, 339 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 6995 times:
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 7): It is too bad that the Travel Agency is quickly (if not already) a thing of the past. A good travel agent was a great person to know, lots of inside info, tips, and travel ideas. A person rather then the internet.
Israel is still a bit more old fashioned and most travel business is still handled by travel agents and not the internet. Still, it's somewhat surprising as LH has carved out such a big portion of the trans atlantic travel originating in Israel that it is surprising to see them take this route. Instead I would offer special savings online to drive people to book directly but if LH saw this as such an opportunity and is running full 744's and 346's on this quick 3.5 hour leg, it must hold some serious revenue. I dont get this move.
StealthZ From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 5434 posts, RR: 49 Reply 9, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 6920 times:
I have to agree with DTWClipper, a good travel agent is good person to know in an emergency as I found out when my mother took ill in Hong Kong.
Whilst not in the travel business or the airlines I have long thought this a shortsighted policy, dumping commissions.
The knowledge and expertise of a good travel agent works both ways.
Joe Schmo decides to go to Europe from his home in Anywhere, USA. He hops on the internet and finds a cheap fare with "LowCost Airways" or "TransNoFrills" etc, he buys it then wanders aimlessly around Europe for a few weeks and heads home.
Or
He finds a good travel agent who not only advises on good places to see in Europe, helps with places to stay but use their skills to convince Mr & Mrs Schmo how much more they will enjoy their vacation if they upgrade to Plus class on "Quality Airlines". Perhaps the advice of the travel agent convinces them to see more, quickly, and sells them some flights on "Quality Euro Airlines" as well
Just achieved a whole lot more (higher margin) revenue for the airlines, earned some nice commission for the Agent*.. well, No we didn't because the airlines are too short sighted to see this and will continue eroding quality of service forcing the consumers to focus on the lowest common denominator and driving the whole business down.
*Mr & Mrs Schmo had a much more rewarding vacation
If your camera sends text messages, that could explain why your photos are rubbish!
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 10, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 6697 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 6):
Therein lies the question. If they say something false about LH/LX in trying to steer people away, that is defamation.
sorry,but "defamation" is a harsh word. I never was a travel agent but I did routings in freight as a daily business. Of course you did steer the customers to the airlines where you made the highest commission.
The travel agents are fighting an uphill battle. Irsael is really a bit old fashioned in some ways, but the travel agents will have to know that LH/LX are just the first to cut out commissions, the other airlines will follow and that won't be the resident country manager's decision.
The travel agents better better prepare themselves quickly or they miss the plane altogether.
LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Reply 11, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 6503 times:
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 1): With so many Internet travel websites, including the airlines' sites, travel agents are becoming obsolete.
Well, guess what. Airlines did cut our commission few years ago now and I don't see our customers going anywhere... Especially the corporate ones, believe me, I'm not talking about a student that travels once a year on "super light" fare with a budget to match.
And no, we're not for the rich and famous either, I've found a 55 EUR deal on SN to PRG (I'm using that for myself too). You might say, on that fare you never get a refund, because it's 13 EUR plus tax, but we DO inform our customers that the taxes are fully refundable if the ticket is not used, I have never found that information on airline's websites..
Yes, we charge commission, but many are willing to pay for the service provided. I get many phone calls from our customers somewhere in the world calling to change their reservation while there. With E-ticketing it's so much easier, I look it up, call them back, reissue, be it with or without penalty.. Invoice will be sent to the company involved at later time, Mr Businessman doesn't have to worry about that NOW.
And trust me, getting me on the phone will be much quicker than getting an airline agent.. Plus so many more advantages when you know what your customer wants, qua seating, his FF programme that has to be put into PNR and so on and so on...
Maybe you think we become obsolete, yes for you, because you know your ways around the airlines websites anbd stuff, but many travellers can't be bothered, really.
Best regards,
LO231
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
OHLHD From Finland, joined Dec 2004, 3962 posts, RR: 27 Reply 12, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 6397 times:
Isn't that common in Europe already? If these travel agents are stupid enough not to sell tickets or even better stay longer just to find another solution they will loose customers.....
If I went to my travelagency and ask for a cheap flight and LH is the cheapest but the travelagent only offers me AF which is more expensive, I would not return to the agency anymore.
People will learn in Israel how to use the Internet and then the travel agencies will offer everything incl LH and LX again and will introduce ticketing fees and booking fees.
JFK787NYC From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 808 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 6186 times:
Yes, I have found many times that TRAVEL AGENTS have cheaper prices on Business Class seats on all airlines. I do not know why but this is what it is
Ilyag From Israel, joined Jan 2001, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 5976 times:
That's funny, but whenever I check up LH fares out of TLV, they are much higher than anything you can find in TA's office. Not sure why they get different fares (and taxes also always seem to be different). I checked up example TLV-US and TLV-DEL quotes and found airlines to offer ridiculously high fares. Only AZ's web site seemed to match TA's offering. LH/LX better start offering better deals on the web. And I don't see TA stop handling corporate travel, which is a big chunk of high yielding folks out of TLV anyway.
I'm also how they plan to drive customers away from LH/LX. They got very good reputation in Israel and if the fare is right - people will want to fly with them and will tell agents to check them up while searching for a good fare.
On a side note, Israeli travel industry is old-fashioned because of airlines neglecting internet sales with LY being the first to do so. LH, LX, KL and others don't offer any benefit over working with an agent. Their web fares are constantly high, even during a low season as it is now. I have seen travel agents offering much better fares for similar routings. Also, there are a couple of cheap travel sites that work practically as a low cost agent on internet - with the obvious disadvantages of not having a person to talk to in emergencies, etc.
AirScoot From United States of America, joined May 2005, 688 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 5828 times:
Quoting Ilyag (Reply 14): That's funny, but whenever I check up LH fares out of TLV, they are much higher than anything you can find in TA's office. Not sure why they get different fares (and taxes also always seem to be different). I checked up example TLV-US and TLV-DEL quotes and found airlines to offer ridiculously high fares. Only AZ's web site seemed to match TA's offering. LH/LX better start offering better deals on the web. And I don't see TA stop handling corporate travel, which is a big chunk of high yielding folks out of TLV anyway.
Israel's market is very consolidation/contract heavy. Most of the prices you see are contract deals that require a certain sales volume and can only be sold through the contract holder.
It's sad to see LH and LX make this move in Israel as well but I do know that the TA market in Israel is completely different from the markets that they faced in Europe and the US when commissions were reduced then eventually disposed of.
I just hope that the Israel agents have better luck than we did. One good thing is that the commission cuts here in the US went a long way in seperating the decent agents from those that were in it just for the benefits.
NoUFO From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 7798 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5300 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 3): Funny, I looked at the title and said to myself: what have Swiss and Lufty done to upset Mossad?!!
Good to hear I wasn't the only one.
Few people consult a travel agency today to book a scheduled flight, so the decision to cancel the agents' commission was only a matter of time.
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 10): but the travel agents will have to know that LH/LX are just the first to cut out commissions, the other airlines will follow and that won't be the resident country manager's decision.
LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Reply 17, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5210 times:
Quoting Ilyag (Reply 14): That's funny, but whenever I check up LH fares out of TLV, they are much higher than anything you can find in TA's office. Not sure why they get different fares
Quoting Ilyag (Reply 14): I have seen travel agents offering much better fares for similar routings.
We sometimes get contracts to TLV that is better than a published fare from the airline themselves, for example slightly lower fare, 10kg extra luggage allowance, 1 free day change as opposed to chenge fee etc.
I guess it has it's advantages to the airline, less airline agents needed to talk to customers, travel agents are doing these things electronically (the changes, reissues etc) = travel agent is pretty much self-earning LH/LX agent too!!
Quoting Ilyag (Reply 14): with the obvious disadvantages of not having a person to talk to in emergencies, etc.
There you go..
Regards,
LO231
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24928 posts, RR: 60 Reply 18, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5186 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 3): Funny, I looked at the title and said to myself: what have Swiss and Lufty done to upset Mossad?!!
Haha me also. I thought they had upset the people or something. Oh well the Israeli agents have had it good if they are only stopping comissions now !!! They better get used to it. Soon it will be LY !!! Will they boycott them ???
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
YULWinterSkies From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 2109 posts, RR: 6 Reply 19, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4805 times:
Quoting Wj (Reply 8): Israel is still a bit more old fashioned and most travel business is still handled by travel agents and not the internet.
To our Israeli fellows here : how is online credit card payment situation in Israel? Is it as safe as it should be? What's the general confidence of the population about that ?
If problems do exist, then people are doing the right thing by using travel agents, and airlines should keep this in mind.
LY7E7 From Israel, joined Jun 2004, 2218 posts, RR: 21 Reply 20, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 3762 times:
Quoting YULWinterSkies (Reply 19): To our Israeli fellows here : how is online credit card payment situation in Israel?
As good as in the US. The reason for what has been mentioned here is the high price tickets out of Israel, no low cost airlines and lots of consolidation and business travel. It won't change until LH or any other airline will match the consolidated price at the T/A on its website.
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4781 posts, RR: 17 Reply 21, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3470 times:
I'm sure LH and LX are sh*tting themselves.
In a country where the internet and western-style credit systems are in place there will be no problem for the consumer to book online and skip the TA altogether. Ultimately price and product will determine who flies what, not bitter TAs.
Halls120 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3411 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 4): Quoting JFK787NYC (Thread starter):
The survey also found that 37% of agents said that they would recommend alternative airlines to travelers.
Interesting that they would do that. Potential for defamation.
Somehow, I can't see LH or LX taking action in this regard.
"LH sues individual travel agents for failure to recommend them" isn't a winning PR strategy.
Leskova From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 6075 posts, RR: 72 Reply 23, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3146 times:
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 1): US airlines stopped paying commissions years ago.
Not just US airlines.
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 1): With so many Internet travel websites, including the airlines' sites, travel agents are becoming obsolete.
What, exactly, do you think that websites like Opodo, Expedia and similar ones are? Guess what... they're travel agents.
Quoting N1120A (Reply 4): Interesting that they would do that. Potential for defamation.
Not even close.
Quoting N1120A (Reply 6): Therein lies the question. If they say something false about LH/LX in trying to steer people away, that is defamation.
No need to say anything false - there still are areas on this planet where people don't believe the - clearly false - advertising that airlines' websites always offer the lowest fares.
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 7): I guess the travel agency has gone the way of the city ticket office.
Nope...
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 10): The travel agents better better prepare themselves quickly or they miss the plane altogether.
That certainly is true.
Quoting LO231 (Reply 11): Well, guess what. Airlines did cut our commission few years ago now and I don't see our customers going anywhere... Especially the corporate ones, believe me, I'm not talking about a student that travels once a year on "super light" fare with a budget to match.
And even better... even the student that travels once a year on "super light" fares with a budget to match is still more than just an unusual occurance in travel agencies...
Quoting OHLHD (Reply 12): Isn't that common in Europe already?
Yes.
Quoting OHLHD (Reply 12): If these travel agents are stupid enough not to sell tickets or even better stay longer just to find another solution they will loose customers.....
Nope.
Quoting OHLHD (Reply 12): People will learn in Israel how to use the Internet and then the travel agencies will offer everything incl LH and LX again and will introduce ticketing fees and booking fees.
I'm quite sure that they already know how to use the internet... but they just might not be as willing to belive the nonsense about airlines' websites always offering the lowest fares...
Quoting YOWza (Reply 21): In a country where the internet and western-style credit systems are in place there will be no problem for the consumer to book online and skip the TA altogether. Ultimately price and product will determine who flies what, not bitter TAs.
Correct... the price will determine that... see some of the above posts for some hints as to who still regularly wins that competition...
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 24, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3102 times:
Here we go again with the travel agent misconceptions. Remember, that as in any other profession there are good travel agents and crappy ones. As in any other profession it seems that 20% are the top flight ones, and the bottom 5% make everyone else look like crap.
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 1): With so many Internet travel websites, including the airlines' sites, travel agents are becoming obsolete.
Internet sites are a good way for the airlines to drive the travel agents out of commission and direct passengers to their website where they can present an unbalanced view of fares.
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2): consumer are held hostage by travel agents any longer.
Well, they were never held hostage by travel agents, and that's a silly analogy. The travel agents were always consumer advocates and intermediaries with the airline, often able to save the traveller money, offer good advice about where to stay and handle problems that arise. Consumers have been held hostage by airlines and tour groups who refuse to provide the service requested and point to the contract of carriage, or just shrug their shoulders and say "too bad".
Quoting N1120A (Reply 4): Interesting that they would do that. Potential for defamation.
Stop the insanity. Potential for bullshit lawsuit that will end up costing the plaintiff court costs and countersuit expenses.
Defamation would only be a worry if the T/A's actually said something derogatory about LH/LX ... recommending a different airline is by no means defamation.
Therein lies the question. If they say something false about LH/LX in trying to steer people away, that is defamation.
You automatically assume they're saying something false. If they're simply finding a better route, or a similar fare on a different airline then they're entirely correct to do so. I can' t believe you're taking the big corporations side over the little guy here.
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 7): It is too bad that the Travel Agency is quickly (if not already) a thing of the past. A good travel agent was a great person to know, lots of inside info, tips, and travel ideas. A person rather then the internet.
A good travel agent still is.
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 7): I tried to us our agency for as long as we could justify it, but when the cost of issuing a ticket went up to $25.-, it was time to move on.
If you're interested in nothing but the lowest fare on a particular website and don't ever have to ask for advice on hotels or restaurants or anything else, then ok. But remember that a good travel agent does all the homework for you and figures out the best way for you to get places. If you have an hour or so to plan out your European vacation or Asian business trip (or vice versa) then you're not spending adequate time researching the options, and you'll possibly (often probably) miss out on the best way to do something. Plus, what's your time worth?
Quoting Dtwclipper (Reply 7): I will say however, in '96 when my dad was taken ill in Rome, it was our travel agency here in Detroit that took care of my urgent needs to get to FCO and back to Detriot. It's a shame that they too were forced out of business
Point in fact here. A good travel agent is worth their weight in gold when something goes wrong while you're travelling. A good travel agent is worth the premium paid, and the traveller that thinks they're getting the best advice from the internet is forgetting that it's not all true. Nothing can replace the industry knowledge and experience of a good travel agent.
Quoting StealthZ (Reply 9): a good travel agent is good person to know in an emergency as I found out when my mother took ill in Hong Kong.
Another example. Ask an online service for that help and see if you get someone you know and cares about you (as a travel agent relationship is usually a face to face/personal knowledge relationship) who will go to long lengths to look after you and get you the help you need. See if the airline is interested in your problems.
Quoting StealthZ (Reply 9): He finds a good travel agent who not only advises on good places to see in Europe, helps with places to stay but use their skills to convince Mr & Mrs Schmo how much more they will enjoy their vacation if they upgrade to Plus class on "Quality Airlines". Perhaps the advice of the travel agent convinces them to see more, quickly, and sells them some flights on "Quality Euro Airlines" as well
A good travel agent will have experience personally with the airlines, cruise lines, hotels and restaurants in question, and will be able to make informed and valid suggestions based on knowing what the traveller wishes to actually accomplish. A voyager who has never been to Oslo may not really know what to do if they're doing it on their own. A businessman who is going to Sydney may not know the best places there to eat, nor anyone at the good places who will treat them like a valued and dear friend so the businessmans clients will be impressed. It's all part and parcel of being a good travel agent.
It's incumbent on the traveller to find a good one, but word of mouth is good, and calling around to ask some pointed questions should give you a good idea about whether the agent you're interviewing is going to be the right one for you.
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 10): sorry,but "defamation" is a harsh word.
Again...he's being lawyerly and looking to apply a presumed premise to cause consternation.
Quoting PanHAM (Reply 10): . Of course you did steer the customers to the airlines where you made the highest commission.
Now...that's not right, and it's not valid. Commissions have been uniform throughout until the last few years, and bonus plans shouldn't be the reason you send someone anywhere in a business that needs good repeat clients and good word of mouth. A good travel agent doesn't steer a client to the highest commission trip...they steer them toward the trip that's going to make the client talk really good about their agent and be willing to come back to that agent.
Quoting LO231 (Reply 11): And no, we're not for the rich and famous either
Could be, though. I know of several agencies that cater to the rich and famous.
Quoting OHLHD (Reply 12): If I went to my travelagency and ask for a cheap flight and LH is the cheapest but the travelagent only offers me AF which is more expensive, I would not return to the agency anymore.
Cheap is not the right answer. Value is. If you're a once in a year traveller and want to use a travel agent then you need to consider the assistance that the agent can provide and how best to use the agents experience to maximize your enjoyment of the trip. To make sure you're getting accomplished that which will fulfill you.
A good travel agent will help you maximize your travel experience and get you where you want to go. A bad one won't.
The airlines site won't do much for you besides get you a flight, and refer you to the rental car sites. Expedia and Travelocity won't do much for you besides organized tours and discounted rooms, but if something goes wrong then you're screwed because they don't do crap....even with their ever-dawdling customer service efforts. If you want to change in the middle or need advice then who are you going to call? IF you get someplace and the hotel sucks who are you going to call? If you need to curtail your trip and get home...who are you going to call?
Do you know everything about your destination (if so why are you going back?) and would you be able to know where the best spots are for whatever it is you want to do and experience?
Travel agents .... good ones ... earn their fees, and are the difference between pain-in-the-ass travelling and getting it done easy and well.
Is my Pan Am ticket to the moon still good?
25 LXA340: Welll let's hope LH & LX will not suffer by those measures at least at the begining when they will be the only ones. Especially now as LX will offer t
26 Ilyag: There are actually several travel agencies in Israel working entirely/partially through the internet and I do use them for price checks. But what bea
27 AFGMEL: Not in my experience. Here they push the big three to Europe. QF, BA, SQ. I only travel business class and I have ALWAYS found cheaper fares myself.
28 LO231: Exactly. Besides, as I've found out today, SN had a promo on some European flights. They charge 24 EUR extra, 10 for insurance, 14 EUR booking fee, o
29 Stylo777: I'm pretty sure that the whole Israeli - HON, SEN and FTL community will continue flying on LH/LX. The first point is that they get the better support
30 AA7295: Not True. UA & CO offer commission to Australian travel agents when they book on flights from SYD/MEL to LAX & SFO and CNS to GUM.
31 VonRichtofen: I will always check both the internet and my travel agent for ticket prices. More often than not, my T/A finds a better deal. There's certain things t
32 HZ747300: I was amazed when I moved to Australia at how many people were reluctant to shop for air travel online. The travel agent industry was alive and well
33 Leskova: Indeed, you're right - AS and AA both also still pay commissions (in Germany)...
34 AFGMEL: Well, not this Aussie. Everything possible I buy online. I don't know why people would use travel agents unless a complicated itinerary. Even then, e
35 LO231: I gave you an example above, that I can get if not the same, then better rate for the same flights, but with better conditions as for refunds... Peop
36 OHLHD: Yes, if my choice is LH and they won´t sell it too me I won´t go there anymore. Hence a customer is lost. You know how I meant it. Sure Israeli peo
37 LO231: Only after you compared. If the flight is full and the only seats open are Y class, don't expect miracles. Check on airline's website, they'll probab
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Somehow, I can't see LH or LX taking action in this regard. 
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