New airline booking fees bad news for agents
What will be the impact when the five major airlines this week start charging travel agents additional fees to book flights?
It’s bad news for air travelers, concludes Gazettte.com in Colorado Springs. “But even worse for travel agents who have seen customers drift away to the internet to book their tickets directly.”
Continental, US Airways, Northwest, United and American plan to start charging agents another $3.50 for each segment of each ticket booked through GDS.
A non-stop flight has two segments, so it will cost an additional $7. A roundtrip ticket with one connection will cost another $14.
The airlines say the fee will offset higher distribution and administrative expenses. Their obvious expectation is that it will drive more flyers to airline Web sites.
Most travel agencies are expected to pass the fee on to consumers.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.






























Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025