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How can a travel agent issue cheap tickets just a few hours before a flight?
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up vote
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A friend of mine told me about this travel agent (TA). The friend is buying tickets from this agent since 2 years.
The friend usually contacts the TA month or two in advance and the TA gives him a flight itinerary with HK (Holding Confirmed) category/number. These tickets are much cheaper than the ones we see online, usually 10-15% cheaper.
- The TA does actual issuing of tickets 12 hours - 2 hours or so before the travel. The TA says he issues the tickets for every client (who travel on the same day), at the same time (i.e. issues tickets of the whole group at once).
I want to understand what kind of business model this is. The TA says he is an authorized travel agent.
The TA did not explain to me why he waits for so long and issues tickets a few hours before the flight to get the special cheap ticket price.
TA says he does not contact airline at the last minute and the tickets are already confirmed.
- TA says he does something in his "system" to issue the tickets (without contacting airline). He did not explain further.
I don't understand why he does it this way. Do you know why some travel agents give HK number months in advance but issue tickets a few hours before the flight?
air-travel international-travel travel-agents
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
A friend of mine told me about this travel agent (TA). The friend is buying tickets from this agent since 2 years.
The friend usually contacts the TA month or two in advance and the TA gives him a flight itinerary with HK (Holding Confirmed) category/number. These tickets are much cheaper than the ones we see online, usually 10-15% cheaper.
- The TA does actual issuing of tickets 12 hours - 2 hours or so before the travel. The TA says he issues the tickets for every client (who travel on the same day), at the same time (i.e. issues tickets of the whole group at once).
I want to understand what kind of business model this is. The TA says he is an authorized travel agent.
The TA did not explain to me why he waits for so long and issues tickets a few hours before the flight to get the special cheap ticket price.
TA says he does not contact airline at the last minute and the tickets are already confirmed.
- TA says he does something in his "system" to issue the tickets (without contacting airline). He did not explain further.
I don't understand why he does it this way. Do you know why some travel agents give HK number months in advance but issue tickets a few hours before the flight?
air-travel international-travel travel-agents
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
A friend of mine told me about this travel agent (TA). The friend is buying tickets from this agent since 2 years.
The friend usually contacts the TA month or two in advance and the TA gives him a flight itinerary with HK (Holding Confirmed) category/number. These tickets are much cheaper than the ones we see online, usually 10-15% cheaper.
- The TA does actual issuing of tickets 12 hours - 2 hours or so before the travel. The TA says he issues the tickets for every client (who travel on the same day), at the same time (i.e. issues tickets of the whole group at once).
I want to understand what kind of business model this is. The TA says he is an authorized travel agent.
The TA did not explain to me why he waits for so long and issues tickets a few hours before the flight to get the special cheap ticket price.
TA says he does not contact airline at the last minute and the tickets are already confirmed.
- TA says he does something in his "system" to issue the tickets (without contacting airline). He did not explain further.
I don't understand why he does it this way. Do you know why some travel agents give HK number months in advance but issue tickets a few hours before the flight?
air-travel international-travel travel-agents
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
A friend of mine told me about this travel agent (TA). The friend is buying tickets from this agent since 2 years.
The friend usually contacts the TA month or two in advance and the TA gives him a flight itinerary with HK (Holding Confirmed) category/number. These tickets are much cheaper than the ones we see online, usually 10-15% cheaper.
- The TA does actual issuing of tickets 12 hours - 2 hours or so before the travel. The TA says he issues the tickets for every client (who travel on the same day), at the same time (i.e. issues tickets of the whole group at once).
I want to understand what kind of business model this is. The TA says he is an authorized travel agent.
The TA did not explain to me why he waits for so long and issues tickets a few hours before the flight to get the special cheap ticket price.
TA says he does not contact airline at the last minute and the tickets are already confirmed.
- TA says he does something in his "system" to issue the tickets (without contacting airline). He did not explain further.
I don't understand why he does it this way. Do you know why some travel agents give HK number months in advance but issue tickets a few hours before the flight?
air-travel international-travel travel-agents
air-travel international-travel travel-agents
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
edited 18 mins ago
T.J.L.
1155
1155
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
asked 9 hours ago
user87466
10615
10615
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user87466 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
27
down vote
Sounds like a consolidator. They buy the tickets from the airline and assign them to the actual flyer at the last minute. They typically have a contract with the airline for a set number of seats per flight, so they may lose money some days and make it other days. The airline does this because they know that they will get a certain revenue no matter what. Generally they expect their price-sensitive customers won't know how to find or work with a consolidator.
I knew someone who used one and said it was a good approach if you flew regularly (eg a trainer who flies to various cities to deliver courses.) Often you could get business class for what economy would otherwise cost you. Good thing too, because you wouldn't get status miles or the like that would earn you goodies from the airline - but then again you wouldn't need them, because you get those goodies anyway when you're in business class.
If you're worried whether it's legal or not, keep asking the agent. There is a legal business model that operates as you've described. If you're worried your flights won't be issued on time, and that you might not be able to fly even though you paid the agent, ask what guarantees they provide to prevent that. This article has some tips to help you feel confident working with non-standard ticket issuers.
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
27
down vote
Sounds like a consolidator. They buy the tickets from the airline and assign them to the actual flyer at the last minute. They typically have a contract with the airline for a set number of seats per flight, so they may lose money some days and make it other days. The airline does this because they know that they will get a certain revenue no matter what. Generally they expect their price-sensitive customers won't know how to find or work with a consolidator.
I knew someone who used one and said it was a good approach if you flew regularly (eg a trainer who flies to various cities to deliver courses.) Often you could get business class for what economy would otherwise cost you. Good thing too, because you wouldn't get status miles or the like that would earn you goodies from the airline - but then again you wouldn't need them, because you get those goodies anyway when you're in business class.
If you're worried whether it's legal or not, keep asking the agent. There is a legal business model that operates as you've described. If you're worried your flights won't be issued on time, and that you might not be able to fly even though you paid the agent, ask what guarantees they provide to prevent that. This article has some tips to help you feel confident working with non-standard ticket issuers.
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
27
down vote
Sounds like a consolidator. They buy the tickets from the airline and assign them to the actual flyer at the last minute. They typically have a contract with the airline for a set number of seats per flight, so they may lose money some days and make it other days. The airline does this because they know that they will get a certain revenue no matter what. Generally they expect their price-sensitive customers won't know how to find or work with a consolidator.
I knew someone who used one and said it was a good approach if you flew regularly (eg a trainer who flies to various cities to deliver courses.) Often you could get business class for what economy would otherwise cost you. Good thing too, because you wouldn't get status miles or the like that would earn you goodies from the airline - but then again you wouldn't need them, because you get those goodies anyway when you're in business class.
If you're worried whether it's legal or not, keep asking the agent. There is a legal business model that operates as you've described. If you're worried your flights won't be issued on time, and that you might not be able to fly even though you paid the agent, ask what guarantees they provide to prevent that. This article has some tips to help you feel confident working with non-standard ticket issuers.
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
27
down vote
up vote
27
down vote
Sounds like a consolidator. They buy the tickets from the airline and assign them to the actual flyer at the last minute. They typically have a contract with the airline for a set number of seats per flight, so they may lose money some days and make it other days. The airline does this because they know that they will get a certain revenue no matter what. Generally they expect their price-sensitive customers won't know how to find or work with a consolidator.
I knew someone who used one and said it was a good approach if you flew regularly (eg a trainer who flies to various cities to deliver courses.) Often you could get business class for what economy would otherwise cost you. Good thing too, because you wouldn't get status miles or the like that would earn you goodies from the airline - but then again you wouldn't need them, because you get those goodies anyway when you're in business class.
If you're worried whether it's legal or not, keep asking the agent. There is a legal business model that operates as you've described. If you're worried your flights won't be issued on time, and that you might not be able to fly even though you paid the agent, ask what guarantees they provide to prevent that. This article has some tips to help you feel confident working with non-standard ticket issuers.
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
Sounds like a consolidator. They buy the tickets from the airline and assign them to the actual flyer at the last minute. They typically have a contract with the airline for a set number of seats per flight, so they may lose money some days and make it other days. The airline does this because they know that they will get a certain revenue no matter what. Generally they expect their price-sensitive customers won't know how to find or work with a consolidator.
I knew someone who used one and said it was a good approach if you flew regularly (eg a trainer who flies to various cities to deliver courses.) Often you could get business class for what economy would otherwise cost you. Good thing too, because you wouldn't get status miles or the like that would earn you goodies from the airline - but then again you wouldn't need them, because you get those goodies anyway when you're in business class.
If you're worried whether it's legal or not, keep asking the agent. There is a legal business model that operates as you've described. If you're worried your flights won't be issued on time, and that you might not be able to fly even though you paid the agent, ask what guarantees they provide to prevent that. This article has some tips to help you feel confident working with non-standard ticket issuers.
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
answered 9 hours ago
Kate Gregory
57.7k9152251
57.7k9152251
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
Thanks for information and advice, I will try to confirm with TA if this is the case. I can't upvote this because of not having enough points. I also found this relevant article online washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/…
– user87466
9 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
According to wikitravel.org/en/Airline_consolidators "when you first begin booking with consolidator, it is on a request only basis. Consolidator must first check your request with the airline before you get confirmation, usually in three working days. With the world now more computerized, sometimes, but not always, you can get instant confirmation. After receiving your ticket (or e-ticket), call the airline to verify that everything matches." But this TA issues tickets only few hours before. Why may that be? Do consolidators always issue tickets on same day of travel?
– user87466
8 hours ago
6
6
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
this is like asking how banks or grocery stores or shoe stores operate. Different ones do things different ways. You seem really suspicious of or worried about this one. I doubt a 10-15% saving is worth that for you. Other people, working with other travel agents, feel less worried for many reasons, including when the tickets get issued, and so using those agents is a good choice for them.
– Kate Gregory
7 hours ago
3
3
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
@user87466 Sometimes it's simply a matter of the airline wanting to make the process difficult or weird so that people who are willing to pay more, especially business travelers, purchase through the normal methods. Compare to those sites that don't tell you the name of the airline/hotel until after you've paid.
– user71659
7 hours ago
2
2
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
@user87466 Although you can't upvote, you can accept an answer (although probably good to wait 24 hours to avoid putting off other possible answers.)
– Martin Bonner
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
user87466 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user87466 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user87466 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user87466 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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