Suggestions
Carefully consider if a contract with a travel agent is benificial. Often you will be forced to book higher (more expensive) classes in order to get a rebate on the turnover. In case you breach the contract by booking elsewhere the incentive may not be paid at all. Just remind that in a marginal industry free gifts always are paid by the one asking for it.
Many travel management companies offer ‘management information’ that show savings achieved. Mind the hidden savings, like a comparison with a fare you wouldn’t have paid at all (the most expensive fare on your destination) just to optimize the saving on the monthly report. Use your common sense and choose for a real saving, preferrably one with no obligations to the supplier!
Non used tickets, that are non-refundable, still have a real value. In case you don’t or partially use your ticket, then you still may claim the non-used surcharges like airport taxes and sometimes also the security and fuel surcharges. If you don’t ask for it the airline or travel agent most likely won’t take the initiative. So ask for it! It may even surprise you how much you get refunded over the year.
Just be aware what fees you pay at your supplier. Lower fees not always result in the cheapest airfares offered. What you save on the fee may be compensated in the higher airfare. Agencies that offer low fees need to make a lot of turnover. They hardly have time to carefully analyze your request and have no time at all to find a creative solution. Often you need to decide instantly on the phone, not allowing you a second opinion from another expert. To avoid this we suggest you send the same request to more than one supplier.
What can you do to protect your own interest. We give you some advise based on practical experience:
- Try to plan your trip in advance. Make sure that all your appointments are confirmed before you book your flights.
- If possible meet the requirements of the cheapest fares by staying a weekend or three days
- In case you cannot meet the requirements of the lowest fares, try two separate tickets. Mind you: you will pay twice the surcharges!
- Share your future plans of travel with us. You may be surprised how a combination of trips may save you a lot of money. Often these fares also allow you to change dates of travel at a reasonable penalty.
- If you travel frequently to the same destination, it may save money if you start travelling from the destination to your home base. Fares from different countries may vary, though you fly exactly the same stretch.
- Touroperators offer citypackages. Using such a package on your destination may not only cut expenses in travel, but also in the hotel.
- Check if a low-cost carrier flies to your destination. Although the service is not equal to a regular carrier it may still save you a substantial amount in the expenses.
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