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About RTW fares/Perhaps finding a competent TA in Europe?
Question:
Given the huge discrepancy in Star Alliance Round The World (RTW) fares depending of the country of origin, it looks advantageous to me to plan for a RTW trip initiating in Europe. But then one gets into the issue of either (1) Can a TA in Canada/US issue a RTW ticket initiating in Europe? If the answer is yes, at what fare, the local one or the fare that applies to the country of departure? And if not, then (2) I may need to locate a TA somewhere in Europe to deal with. Given my plans, somewhere in the Southern part of Brussels would be ideal. And it would be highly desireable to find one who uses e-mail competently. (BTW, are TAs in Europe under the same pressure as in North America, with respect to commissions being cut etc?) Suggestions?
Response:
>Given the huge discrepancy in Star Alliance Round The World (RTW) fares >depending of the country of origin, it looks advantageous to me to plan >for a RTW trip initiating in Europe. >But then one gets into the issue of either >(1) Can a TA in Canada/US issue a RTW ticket initiating in Europe? If >the answer is yes, at what fare, the local one or the fare that applies >to the country of departure? And if not, then
No, something called SOTO is not allowed >(2) I may need to locate a TA somewhere in Europe to deal with. Given >my plans, somewhere in the Southern part of Brussels would be ideal. >And it would be highly desireable to find one who uses e-mail >competently.
Apparently Hungary is where you’ll get the bargains. Spain and italy being cheaper places. >(BTW, are TAs in Europe under the same pressure as in North America, >with respect to commissions being cut etc?)
at least in the U.K., they apear to be
Response:
round the world tickets offer a great deal to the consumer; however, they are a nightmare for a TA. given that the max commission is $100 and thatthe pricing has to be obtained from the airline’s rate desk (which will often make mistakes) if there is a pricing error in the ticket the TA may have to absorb the difference which often is more than the commission. (If the airline makes the mistake they just shrug their shoulders) While we never had to eat the commission we did have a $900 disagreement with the airline on a business class round the world once leading to a never again rule. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Given the huge discrepancy in Star Alliance Round The World (RTW) fares >depending of the country of origin, it looks advantageous to me to plan >for a RTW trip initiating in Europe. >But then one gets into the issue of either >(1) Can a TA in Canada/US issue a RTW ticket initiating in Europe? If >the answer is yes, at what fare, the local one or the fare that applies >to the country of departure? And if not, then > No, something called SOTO is not allowed >(2) I may need to locate a TA somewhere in Europe to deal with. Given >my plans, somewhere in the Southern part of Brussels would be ideal. >And it would be highly desireable to find one who uses e-mail >competently. > Apparently Hungary is where you’ll get the bargains. Spain and italy > being cheaper places. >(BTW, are TAs in Europe under the same pressure as in North America, >with respect to commissions being cut etc?) > at least in the U.K., they apear to be
Response:
The airline on which you will make your first trans. ocean flight should be able to issue the ticket. I doubt that they even know where you are calling from. If there is a problem call their europe office. Frank Matthews – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Given the huge discrepancy in Star Alliance Round The World (RTW) fares > depending of the country of origin, it looks advantageous to me to plan > for a RTW trip initiating in Europe. > But then one gets into the issue of either > (1) Can a TA in Canada/US issue a RTW ticket initiating in Europe? If > the answer is yes, at what fare, the local one or the fare that applies > to the country of departure? And if not, then > (2) I may need to locate a TA somewhere in Europe to deal with. Given > my plans, somewhere in the Southern part of Brussels would be ideal. > And it would be highly desireable to find one who uses e-mail > competently. > (BTW, are TAs in Europe under the same pressure as in North America, > with respect to commissions being cut etc?) > Suggestions?