| When you want to go on a vacation that requires | | | | year. In exchange for their business, the airline |
| a flight, you have two main options for purchasing | | | | sells them seats at a lower price. So, even when |
| that ticket. You can purchase the ticket from the | | | | you add a commission on top of that price, in |
| airline directly or from a travel agency. For | | | | many cases, you are still paying less than you |
| decades, purchasing a ticket from the airline was | | | | would pay to buy directly from an airline. |
| the best option for many, unless they planned an | | | | When you buy a flight from the travel agent, you |
| entire vacation package with a travel agency. | | | | may also be getting a deal because you are |
| Even if you do not intend to do any other | | | | paying more in a different area. For example, |
| vacation planning with an agent, you can still | | | | maybe your travel agent puts together a |
| sometimes get a flight through them. But what is | | | | vacation package that costs you an even $1000. |
| the difference, really, and is one option better | | | | When you see an itemized list, you might be |
| than the other? | | | | charged $300 for the flight, $400 for the hotel |
| To answer that question, you must first define | | | | room, and the rest of the money is for activities |
| what services a travel agency offers. Today, the | | | | you have planned as well as the commission. Had |
| Internet is a premier way for ordering tickets for | | | | you planned the trip on your own, both the flight |
| many people. Websites sell thousands of tickets | | | | and the hotel room would have been $400. So, |
| every day. Are these travel agencies? Some say | | | | you are not saving any more on the hotel, but |
| yes, because they serve as a third party helping | | | | you’re saving a whopping $100 on the flight. |
| you to plan your vacation while others say no | | | | The travel agent might have used her |
| because these websites do not actually have | | | | connections to save just $50 on the flight, but he |
| vacation packages similar to those offered by | | | | or she was able to give you a bigger savings |
| your local travel agency. For now, let’s | | | | because they charged you full price for the hotel |
| assume that these are not travel agencies and | | | | room, even though that room was secured for |
| look at a comparison just between airlines | | | | half price. This is a misplaced savings, but a |
| themselves and travel agencies that plan vacation | | | | savings for you nonetheless, and your travel |
| packages for travelers. | | | | agent also made money on the deal. Do not |
| When you buy directly from an airline, the price | | | | automatically assume, however, that if you just |
| of the ticket will depend most on your date and | | | | book a flight next time, you will get the same low |
| time of travel. Usually, you can get a cheaper | | | | price. When you are dealing with a vacation |
| price if you travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or | | | | package, the savings you see are not always |
| Thursdays. You can also save money, for the | | | | specifically associated with the flight ticket price. |
| most part, if you are willing to travel during times | | | | Sound confusing? Just think of it this way: with an |
| that other people usually do not want to travel, | | | | airline, you buy a ticket with no price changes, and |
| like very late at night. With an airline there is no | | | | with a travel agent, you buy a ticket with multiple |
| middleman, so you do not pay any kind of | | | | fees and discounts attached. Who has the better |
| commission fee along the way. | | | | bottom line? It varies from situation to situation. |
| That’s not true when it comes to travel | | | | You can then factor in “travel agencies” |
| agencies. When you book a flight through an | | | | that are websites selling discounted tickets. They |
| agent, you are paying them a commission for | | | | do the same thing as typical travel agencies in |
| their time. This does not necessarily mean that | | | | that they have a lower price, but some may |
| you will pay a more expensive price overall | | | | charge a commission. With sites such as these, |
| though. Travel agents usually buy tickets in bulk. | | | | that lower price comes from their ability to sell |
| That does not mean that they purchase all of the | | | | seats at the last minute, though, so the real |
| seats on a single flight necessarily, though that | | | | advantage here is usually to last-minute travelers. |
| can be the case in some situations. What it usually | | | | Basically, no matter where you buy your ticket, |
| means is that the travel agent commits to selling | | | | make sure to do a lot of price comparison |
| a certain number of flights or a certain dollar | | | | shopping. |
| amount from that airline every month or every | | | | |