What is the better option to book a Flight; by a Travel Agent or online booking?
Buying a Ticket had always been annoying for me. My first airline travel tickets were provided by company, I was working for. But things changed when I started working independently and I had to manage all my booking myself.
To buy my first International Ticket was a tedious experience. I checked different online internet websites to compare the prices but I was still skeptical about services of internet companies. My friend advised me to go for the cheaper option between Online and the Travel agents. I checked many travel agents and many websites and at last I found the cheapest option with a Local Travel agent. He offered me the best price which was almost INR 6k lower than the price offered by the Internet Companies.
After a year, I faced the same situation. But now the prices offered by the same travel agent and Internet company were same. I decided to go with Travel agent to maintain the relation. But travel agent tricked us, he increased the price while booking, providing reason that price had fluctuated. The hike in price was INR 3k. We believed him and paid the rate quoted by him. While returning to home, I checked the rate online and found that there was no change in the price on Internet. I called to him to clarify and he said that the internet price does not include the Airport fees; this was his second trick.
Another year passed and I had to travel again on same route. We used the same methods to compare the prices between internet companies and Travel agent. Travel agent quoted higher price and he provided the same reason that internet price does not include Airport fees. I initiated a online chat with internet company and clarified my doubts and booked my first online Ticket. Besides I got points of purchase which was another benefit. Travel agents always wanted cash payments. I started liking internet companies.
I registered on the website of internet company to become a member. I thought that, more discounts will follow by getting a membership. Another year passed and I had to book tickets again. I checked the prices online and clicked "Book Now". To my surprise the price of ticket was revised citing the low availability and new price was INR 35k more than previous price. I decided to abandon the booking and wait for a day to continue booking. Next day, I initiated chat with representative; they gave me a better price and I decided to book offline with their help. But while booking they also cited the reason of price fluctuation and increased the rates by INR 4k. I was in hurry so I gave permission and later paid the quoted price by my Credit Card.
After booking was done, I checked the prices again on internet for same dates and found it lower than my booking price. It was surprising for me. I checked the price again after half an hour and it reduced again. Attached are the snapshots of both the prices.
Buying a Ticket had always been annoying for me. My first airline travel tickets were provided by company, I was working for. But things changed when I started working independently and I had to manage all my booking myself.
To buy my first International Ticket was a tedious experience. I checked different online internet websites to compare the prices but I was still skeptical about services of internet companies. My friend advised me to go for the cheaper option between Online and the Travel agents. I checked many travel agents and many websites and at last I found the cheapest option with a Local Travel agent. He offered me the best price which was almost INR 6k lower than the price offered by the Internet Companies.
After a year, I faced the same situation. But now the prices offered by the same travel agent and Internet company were same. I decided to go with Travel agent to maintain the relation. But travel agent tricked us, he increased the price while booking, providing reason that price had fluctuated. The hike in price was INR 3k. We believed him and paid the rate quoted by him. While returning to home, I checked the rate online and found that there was no change in the price on Internet. I called to him to clarify and he said that the internet price does not include the Airport fees; this was his second trick.
Another year passed and I had to travel again on same route. We used the same methods to compare the prices between internet companies and Travel agent. Travel agent quoted higher price and he provided the same reason that internet price does not include Airport fees. I initiated a online chat with internet company and clarified my doubts and booked my first online Ticket. Besides I got points of purchase which was another benefit. Travel agents always wanted cash payments. I started liking internet companies.
I registered on the website of internet company to become a member. I thought that, more discounts will follow by getting a membership. Another year passed and I had to book tickets again. I checked the prices online and clicked "Book Now". To my surprise the price of ticket was revised citing the low availability and new price was INR 35k more than previous price. I decided to abandon the booking and wait for a day to continue booking. Next day, I initiated chat with representative; they gave me a better price and I decided to book offline with their help. But while booking they also cited the reason of price fluctuation and increased the rates by INR 4k. I was in hurry so I gave permission and later paid the quoted price by my Credit Card.
After booking was done, I checked the prices again on internet for same dates and found it lower than my booking price. It was surprising for me. I checked the price again after half an hour and it reduced again. Attached are the snapshots of both the prices.
I felt that behavior of internet company is same like the Travel agent. Their initial offered price was lower and when I decided to go with them, they increased the prices citing fluctuation reason. Both of them were following the same pattern in behavior.
I googled to know the pricing methodology of airlines. It was very surprising to me that Internet companies use various methods to quote a price and prices vary based on User's Travel and Search history. Means internet company can offer a low price for a new user and a high price for a member who is registered with company; company knew customer's travel history and purchasing power, which is used to quote the prices. Moreover, once customer shows faith on company, the prices can be increased in minutes while we search, decide and press "Book Now" button. Websites install cookies on our system, which keeps track of all our online flight search and prices offered. Moreover the policy of "bait and switch" was new to me to know about.
In the end, I understood that we should not rely on a particular agent or internet company but always check with many to compare the prices.There are always good deals available to grab.
Further Reading: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/mcgee/2013/04/03/do-travel-deals-change-based-on-your-browsing-history/2021993/
