Why are international (at least Asian) air fares better with travel agents?

Despite deep pocketed companies like Expedia, Travelocity in the
field, why are travel agents able to give better deals in
international air fares (at least Asia). Are Expedia, Travelocity etc
positionally weaker consolidators than the one's travel agents are
with, do consolidators always get better buck when they go through
travel agents, this doesn't seem to be the case for Domestic flights,
is this because North American market is deregulated and isn't
International market too de-regulated?

Usually this is because the rules attached to consolidator tickets are varied and don't apply uniformly...this is something a TA would pick up on since we are talking case by case basis...and the customer purchasing the ticket can adhere to those rules...

Consolidators "are" coming full circle however and I predict we're just on the horizon of having those fares published more "evenly" for the larger travel agencies to take advantage of en masse

BNTG in Springfield, Virginia said: Consolidators "are" coming full circle however and I predict we're just on the horizon of having those fares published more "evenly" for the larger travel agencies to take advantage of en masse

How soon is this tentatively gonna be? That seems to imply a sharp drop in the value the International travel agents can provide. Of course, not all go out of business as there are tour package providers etc where personal contact is better and there are many customers that don't buy tickets via internet (e.g., many baby boomers) but goto the brick-and-mortar agents, but those that usually purchase tickets (Domestic) on web and still goto agents for the International tickets (as they get better deals) are no more gonna goto the International travel agents. Is that rite?

BNTG in Springfield, Virginia said: Usually this is because the rules attached to consolidator tickets are varied and don't apply uniformly...this is something a TA would pick up on since we are talking case by case basis...and the customer purchasing the ticket can adhere to those rules...

Thanks for the reply

Remember, just because more of those consolidation fares will hit the market does not mean any significant changes to come fare wise. It will just be a slight increase in the number available, but look how many international fares there are out there! The market is very protected as the airlines see this market as very lucrative. The value of a good TA who can put together good itineraries will not go anywhere. The tickets won't drop to "that" point, but of course you will see those fares pop up from time to time depending on demand.

Your welcome of course.

TA's will always have a value believe me and in fact that value is going up. One thing the internet does is complicate things as far as researching travel goes and in fact there are more people starting to go back to their TA. Brick and mortar simply means a building/person you can touch of course but the same technology that backs the online travel sites are the same ones backing the brick and mortars.

I was a travel agent for many years.
What I am proud of mwas my relationship with different consolidators.

Also, i became somewhat of a routing expert, particularly on "Asia" fares.

I used tour operators and consolidators that were reputable, and who knew the best way to get to or around the country.

International air fares are more complex than domestic (and in a lot of ways are easier). First of all, international fares, for the most part are based on mileage and routing. It may be more expensive to travel to Beijing via Tokyo, than say via Seoul.

International flights do not go everyday to many places. Comepetition and capacity is a factor.

There is NOTHING WRONG with using a travel agent. Travel agents , the majority, now charge fees. Travel Agents have to make a living, too !

I considered myself a travel professional, when I was in the biz. People pay their lawyers, doctors, accountants for their expertise and think nothing of it, but they'll gripe to pay a few bucks to a travel agent.

I can't wait to have my operation on the internet !!

Alec in Beaverton, Oregon said: Despite deep pocketed companies like Expedia, Travelocity in the
field, why are travel agents able to give better deals in
international air fares (at least Asia). Are Expedia, Travelocity etc
positionally weaker consolidators than the one's travel agents are
with, do consolidators always get better buck when they go through
travel agents, this doesn't seem to be the case for Domestic flights,
is this because North American market is deregulated and isn't
International market too de-regulated?

What people don't realize is Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz are all TRAVEL AGENCIES. They operate online, but they are contracted by the different airlines,
hotels, tour operators, etc.

Alec in Beaverton, Oregon said: Despite deep pocketed companies like Expedia, Travelocity in the
field, why are travel agents able to give better deals in
international air fares (at least Asia). Are Expedia, Travelocity etc
positionally weaker consolidators than the one's travel agents are
with, do consolidators always get better buck when they go through
travel agents, this doesn't seem to be the case for Domestic flights, because travel agents have more resources than one search engine and they also have blocked cabins on cruises.I am a travel agent and I don't charge my clients for discounts and i have a huge database of discounts for travel anywhere in the world.e-mail me if you want to travel. batholomae@sbcglobal.net

is this because North American market is deregulated and isn't
International market too de-regulated?

because travel agents have more resources than one search engine and they also have blocked cabins on cruises.I am a travel agent and I don't charge my clients for discounts and i have a huge database of discounts for travel anywhere in the world.e-mail me if you want to travel. batholomae@sbcglobal.net

because travel agents have more resources than one search engine and they also have blocked cabins on cruises.I am a travel agent and I don't charge my clients for discounts and i have a huge database of discounts for travel anywhere in the world.e-mail me if you want to travel. batholomae@sbcglobal.net

travel agents gets a better deal and expedia has there own overheads.

I always check fare in expedia and compare against www.alexys.us and I find
the fare is lower at alexys.

Looking to hire experienced travel agents in NYC. We specialize in first and business class travel.
If interested, please email shapse@travgroup.com

Could you please point me to some international airline consolidators for Asia? I am working on becoming a travel agent. My focus in on international air travel from USA to Asia. I would greatly appreciate your help.

Kindest Regards,
Karthigan Srinivasan.

Inspector in Missouri said: I was a travel agent for many years.
What I am proud of mwas my relationship with different consolidators.

Also, i became somewhat of a routing expert, particularly on "Asia" fares.

I used tour operators and consolidators that were reputable, and who knew the best way to get to or around the country.

International air fares are more complex than domestic (and in a lot of ways are easier). First of all, international fares, for the most part are based on mileage and routing. It may be more expensive to travel to Beijing via Tokyo, than say via Seoul.

International flights do not go everyday to many places. Comepetition and capacity is a factor.

There is NOTHING WRONG with using a travel agent. Travel agents , the majority, now charge fees. Travel Agents have to make a living, too !

I considered myself a travel professional, when I was in the biz. People pay their lawyers, doctors, accountants for their expertise and think nothing of it, but they'll gripe to pay a few bucks to a travel agent.

I can't wait to have my operation on the internet !!

On Interenet there are good companies, one or two I tried also, but to my surprise they just ignore special packages to the Holy sites of Muslims where millions of millions people go every year, and Finally we have to rely on the local travel agents. Even if I become a member of any Online renowned agency, still because of the non-availability of those special packages for UMRA AND HAJJ (The first one is smaller pilgrimage to MECCA and 2nd one is more days to live in Holy Meccs KSA), Can anyone point any online -internet based travel Business whome I can become a part of and start my home based business, as they are the people I can deal all the year long,

Where can I find best air- deals to Warsaw or Poznan (in Poland )?

www.myindiatickets.com