I used to book only through travel agents.
I've never booked a plane ticket through a travel agent. It always seemed quicker and easier to call the airline directly, pre Internet, and, since available, book the flight at the airline's site. (I've never used Travelocity and the like although I've browsed their sites.)
Michael asserts that travel agents provide added value to the customer. If that's the case, then the customer would be willing to pay for that service to supplement what the airline pays the agent, which, I expect, is probably inadequate. Of course, retail customers are very price conscious, but businesses now contract with agents for such services. Even my former employer, Uncle Sam, has been contracting with travel agents for at least a decade now because that is more cost effective for them and also provides some internal controls.
Karen |
