Group Travel Specialists Comment Of The Day

I wish I knew the formula to figure out how airlines determine airfare pricing. Or better yet, how in the world do they figure out the fuel surcharges.  Recently my company booked a group going to Costa Rica.  We negotiated an airfare on Continental Airlines approximately four months in advance with final ticketing due 35 days out which was Dec. 8, 2011..  As I was checking the current taxes and fuel for this group, I noticed that fuel surcharges of approx. $180.00 per person were eliminated.  Great News!  So I called Continental to have them re-negotiate the contract to reflect the elimination of the fuel surcharge.  After much debate between myself and Continental (almost an hour on the phone) they finally agreed to take the fuel surcharge off. 

Part of our service when we book group travel is first to look at all the airlines to determine who has the lowest pricing in the market.  Once this is determined, we start the process of negotiating with each airline.  

Since our business is mostly in groups, we are considered a "top account" with most airlines.  This makes our job easier because they know we have a proven track record of group volume.  What it means to our clients is best pricing, name changes, deviations and the ability to ask for what airfare will sell the group on their airline!

The next blog will go into more ways to help save you money and your sanity when booking group travel. 

 

     

Connie Tompkins
A Travel Resource & Group Travel Specialists
412 E Sherman Avenue Suite 102
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208-667-4775  Toll Free: 866-439-9457  Fax: 208-667-4111
Email: connie@atrmissions.com