Why would a company want me to book a flight via a travel agent if it is more expensive?
I am trying to book a flight. My university usually asks that we book a flight via a travel agent, but the prices he gives me are about $50 higher than the prices I can get by online booking in the flight company's website. This happened several times with different flight companies. Is there any advantage to booking via a travel agent, that is worth the extra $50?
air-travel bookings travel-agents
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
|
show 3 more comments
I am trying to book a flight. My university usually asks that we book a flight via a travel agent, but the prices he gives me are about $50 higher than the prices I can get by online booking in the flight company's website. This happened several times with different flight companies. Is there any advantage to booking via a travel agent, that is worth the extra $50?
air-travel bookings travel-agents
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
3
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
4
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
15
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
13
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
11
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54
|
show 3 more comments
I am trying to book a flight. My university usually asks that we book a flight via a travel agent, but the prices he gives me are about $50 higher than the prices I can get by online booking in the flight company's website. This happened several times with different flight companies. Is there any advantage to booking via a travel agent, that is worth the extra $50?
air-travel bookings travel-agents
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
I am trying to book a flight. My university usually asks that we book a flight via a travel agent, but the prices he gives me are about $50 higher than the prices I can get by online booking in the flight company's website. This happened several times with different flight companies. Is there any advantage to booking via a travel agent, that is worth the extra $50?
air-travel bookings travel-agents
air-travel bookings travel-agents
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
edited Sep 20 '16 at 17:52
JonathanReez♦
50k41238515
50k41238515
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
asked May 17 '16 at 11:26
Erel Segal-HaleviErel Segal-Halevi
1,08641422
1,08641422
3
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
4
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
15
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
13
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
11
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54
|
show 3 more comments
3
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
4
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
15
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
13
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
11
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54
3
3
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
4
4
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
15
15
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
13
13
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
11
11
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54
|
show 3 more comments
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
There are several reasons why such internal policies exist:
- Your institution may get a discount on certain services of the travel agent if it buys enough from the agent
- By having a contract with a reasonably-priced travel agent, they make sure that no employee books the flight with a very pricey agent or with a travel agent that happens to be a relative of the traveller
- The travel agency offers easy methods to verify expense information and thus may lower the workload of your local administrative personnel. This especially holds if the payment is routed directly from the institution to the travel agent, which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking.
- Your institution may have an agreement with the travel agent that they manually check if members of your institution are not unnecessarily booking expensive booking classes (in order to get more airline bonus miles)
- Some insurances that your institution bought may only work if the ticket is bought directly from the institution and not by the flyer, and they elected the agent to handle such bookings.
Which of these reasons is the one why this policy exists can only be answered by the responsible employees of your institution.
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
|
show 7 more comments
All the answers so far seem to miss an important point: Your university might be legally required to do that. Specifically, above a certain amount of money, in many countries, public sectors organisations have to go through a specific procedure (call for tenders) to procure goods and services.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
|
show 3 more comments
Something not mentioned so far is the fact that the ticket booked through the travel agent may be refundable, where the ticket from the online vendor is most likely not refundable. A number of years ago when I traveled on behalf of a government agency this was the case. We often booked flights that were one or two hundred dollars more than the cheapest price you could find, but the travel agent guaranteed the price for flights on short notice, guaranteed the ability to change the flight itinerary, and guaranteed a refund if the agency had to cancel. To the government all this was worth the extra price.
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
add a comment |
On top of the other answer by DCTLIB...
You haven't specified where you are and where is 'your' company, but there might be tax or financial book-keeping reasons.
E.g. if the company is in EU they might require a proper VAT invoice to properly book it (and maybe get a VAT refund). And some vendors, especially in US, are unlikely to provide that. Using a travel agent might give the university confidence in receiving proper paperwork. $50 is likely a saving not worth enough to chase for that reason.
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
add a comment |
Another reason - they think the time you would be spending looking for cheap flights is worth more than the price difference.
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
add a comment |
Large travel agents have 24/7 assistance numbers. If you end up stranded at 2am on Sunday, they can get you rebooked, find a hotel room, etc. Most organizations are simply unable or unwilling to provide that support. OTA's (online travel agents) such as Expedia and Travelocity are notoriously bad at pointing a finger at the airline or hotel, while the provider correctly points back at the OTA who "owns" your booking. Lastly, when money is due back to the organization, it can be difficult and time-consuming to recover through the airline or an OTA. Large TA's that handle corporate accounts have the clout to handle credits and debits.
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
add a comment |
At many universities this is recommended but it is rarely a requirement, for the reasons listed in the other answers. However, there are downsides to booking via a travel agency, e.g. if you need to rebook the flight back while you are at the conference. You then need to contact your travel agency to do that for you, and they may ask that you make a payment for the rebooking first, putting the rebooking on hold until the payment is received. So, it's actually quite risky to book a flight via a travel agency, which is why I never do this.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
add a comment |
IF in UK, something called ATOL protects all purchased tickets.
IF in a backward place like the usa;
- One suspects that, in the case of 'a problem', they know which
building to burn down and who gets a visit from 'BigVinnie' and the
'boys'. - Additionally, someone's brother-in-law is probably involved
somewhere...
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
add a comment |
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8 Answers
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8 Answers
8
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
There are several reasons why such internal policies exist:
- Your institution may get a discount on certain services of the travel agent if it buys enough from the agent
- By having a contract with a reasonably-priced travel agent, they make sure that no employee books the flight with a very pricey agent or with a travel agent that happens to be a relative of the traveller
- The travel agency offers easy methods to verify expense information and thus may lower the workload of your local administrative personnel. This especially holds if the payment is routed directly from the institution to the travel agent, which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking.
- Your institution may have an agreement with the travel agent that they manually check if members of your institution are not unnecessarily booking expensive booking classes (in order to get more airline bonus miles)
- Some insurances that your institution bought may only work if the ticket is bought directly from the institution and not by the flyer, and they elected the agent to handle such bookings.
Which of these reasons is the one why this policy exists can only be answered by the responsible employees of your institution.
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
|
show 7 more comments
There are several reasons why such internal policies exist:
- Your institution may get a discount on certain services of the travel agent if it buys enough from the agent
- By having a contract with a reasonably-priced travel agent, they make sure that no employee books the flight with a very pricey agent or with a travel agent that happens to be a relative of the traveller
- The travel agency offers easy methods to verify expense information and thus may lower the workload of your local administrative personnel. This especially holds if the payment is routed directly from the institution to the travel agent, which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking.
- Your institution may have an agreement with the travel agent that they manually check if members of your institution are not unnecessarily booking expensive booking classes (in order to get more airline bonus miles)
- Some insurances that your institution bought may only work if the ticket is bought directly from the institution and not by the flyer, and they elected the agent to handle such bookings.
Which of these reasons is the one why this policy exists can only be answered by the responsible employees of your institution.
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
|
show 7 more comments
There are several reasons why such internal policies exist:
- Your institution may get a discount on certain services of the travel agent if it buys enough from the agent
- By having a contract with a reasonably-priced travel agent, they make sure that no employee books the flight with a very pricey agent or with a travel agent that happens to be a relative of the traveller
- The travel agency offers easy methods to verify expense information and thus may lower the workload of your local administrative personnel. This especially holds if the payment is routed directly from the institution to the travel agent, which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking.
- Your institution may have an agreement with the travel agent that they manually check if members of your institution are not unnecessarily booking expensive booking classes (in order to get more airline bonus miles)
- Some insurances that your institution bought may only work if the ticket is bought directly from the institution and not by the flyer, and they elected the agent to handle such bookings.
Which of these reasons is the one why this policy exists can only be answered by the responsible employees of your institution.
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
There are several reasons why such internal policies exist:
- Your institution may get a discount on certain services of the travel agent if it buys enough from the agent
- By having a contract with a reasonably-priced travel agent, they make sure that no employee books the flight with a very pricey agent or with a travel agent that happens to be a relative of the traveller
- The travel agency offers easy methods to verify expense information and thus may lower the workload of your local administrative personnel. This especially holds if the payment is routed directly from the institution to the travel agent, which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking.
- Your institution may have an agreement with the travel agent that they manually check if members of your institution are not unnecessarily booking expensive booking classes (in order to get more airline bonus miles)
- Some insurances that your institution bought may only work if the ticket is bought directly from the institution and not by the flyer, and they elected the agent to handle such bookings.
Which of these reasons is the one why this policy exists can only be answered by the responsible employees of your institution.
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
edited May 20 '16 at 5:00
Community♦
1
1
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
answered May 17 '16 at 11:35
DCTLibDCTLib
7,9162241
7,9162241
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
|
show 7 more comments
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
9
9
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
Another addition to the detailed list above, my employer uses a single supplier to have a single point of contact in emergency situations. If there is a crash or other travel incident it reduces their effort to track down if any employees on business trips are affected by having immediate access to all itinerary and ticket information
– rolinger
May 17 '16 at 14:21
18
18
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
"...which also makes sure that the flyer does not get credit card bonus points for the booking." This appears to be painted as a positive thing, though for who I cannot guess. Why would this be an advantage?
– Ketura
May 17 '16 at 14:31
6
6
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
Also they may need to prove to funders that the amounts they spend on travel are reasonable. They do that by having a documented procedure, approved by the funder, that involves having a preferred travel agent that was chosen by some documented criteria, and then asking all employees to book through that agent. When they get questions about particular cases, they can show that the procedure was followed. Easily worth the odd $50 now and then.
– RemcoGerlich
May 17 '16 at 15:09
13
13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
@Ketura Usually it means that the institution does get points, or something equivalent.
– DJClayworth
May 17 '16 at 15:13
13
13
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
Credit card bonus points could entice the traveler to book a more expensive ticket than otherwise, costing the university a lot of money so the traveler can get a small bonus.
– stannius
May 17 '16 at 15:46
|
show 7 more comments
All the answers so far seem to miss an important point: Your university might be legally required to do that. Specifically, above a certain amount of money, in many countries, public sectors organisations have to go through a specific procedure (call for tenders) to procure goods and services.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
|
show 3 more comments
All the answers so far seem to miss an important point: Your university might be legally required to do that. Specifically, above a certain amount of money, in many countries, public sectors organisations have to go through a specific procedure (call for tenders) to procure goods and services.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
|
show 3 more comments
All the answers so far seem to miss an important point: Your university might be legally required to do that. Specifically, above a certain amount of money, in many countries, public sectors organisations have to go through a specific procedure (call for tenders) to procure goods and services.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
All the answers so far seem to miss an important point: Your university might be legally required to do that. Specifically, above a certain amount of money, in many countries, public sectors organisations have to go through a specific procedure (call for tenders) to procure goods and services.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
edited May 17 '16 at 19:15
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
answered May 17 '16 at 17:45
RelaxedRelaxed
76.9k10155291
76.9k10155291
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
|
show 3 more comments
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
2
2
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
It's unlikely that a single trip where a $50 difference was a significant thing would be above the threshold where a call for bids is required. However, it's possible that the university periodically bids a contract for a travel agent that is used for university travel for some duration.
– reirab
May 18 '16 at 4:28
2
2
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
@reirab Our (public administration but not a university) threshold is 500 € from which on we need to collect comparative offers. But for most most run-of-the-mill travel we have two internal and an external travel agency (that had been tendered) which need to be used.
– neo
May 18 '16 at 5:09
1
1
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
@reirab Obviously...
– Relaxed
May 18 '16 at 5:37
3
3
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
@reirab where I live, it's not about how much single item costs. Rather, all items of such type over a period of time (year or term of office) are treated as one to test if it was legal to order them without call for tenders. So it's not about $50. It's about way much higher amount of money.
– Mołot
May 18 '16 at 8:52
1
1
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
"Call for tender" brings to mind submitting a request to several different travel agents and then collecting their bids.
– Kaz
May 18 '16 at 20:10
|
show 3 more comments
Something not mentioned so far is the fact that the ticket booked through the travel agent may be refundable, where the ticket from the online vendor is most likely not refundable. A number of years ago when I traveled on behalf of a government agency this was the case. We often booked flights that were one or two hundred dollars more than the cheapest price you could find, but the travel agent guaranteed the price for flights on short notice, guaranteed the ability to change the flight itinerary, and guaranteed a refund if the agency had to cancel. To the government all this was worth the extra price.
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
add a comment |
Something not mentioned so far is the fact that the ticket booked through the travel agent may be refundable, where the ticket from the online vendor is most likely not refundable. A number of years ago when I traveled on behalf of a government agency this was the case. We often booked flights that were one or two hundred dollars more than the cheapest price you could find, but the travel agent guaranteed the price for flights on short notice, guaranteed the ability to change the flight itinerary, and guaranteed a refund if the agency had to cancel. To the government all this was worth the extra price.
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
add a comment |
Something not mentioned so far is the fact that the ticket booked through the travel agent may be refundable, where the ticket from the online vendor is most likely not refundable. A number of years ago when I traveled on behalf of a government agency this was the case. We often booked flights that were one or two hundred dollars more than the cheapest price you could find, but the travel agent guaranteed the price for flights on short notice, guaranteed the ability to change the flight itinerary, and guaranteed a refund if the agency had to cancel. To the government all this was worth the extra price.
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
Something not mentioned so far is the fact that the ticket booked through the travel agent may be refundable, where the ticket from the online vendor is most likely not refundable. A number of years ago when I traveled on behalf of a government agency this was the case. We often booked flights that were one or two hundred dollars more than the cheapest price you could find, but the travel agent guaranteed the price for flights on short notice, guaranteed the ability to change the flight itinerary, and guaranteed a refund if the agency had to cancel. To the government all this was worth the extra price.
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
answered May 17 '16 at 23:32
RobertRobert
1412
1412
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
add a comment |
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
Being able to change the itinerary is important. My employer uses a discount airline, and if your event finishes a day earlier you have to hang around for a day or buy a new ticket. Depends of course where the hanging around happens. Sometimes it's good. ;-)
– RedSonja
Mar 2 '17 at 9:28
add a comment |
On top of the other answer by DCTLIB...
You haven't specified where you are and where is 'your' company, but there might be tax or financial book-keeping reasons.
E.g. if the company is in EU they might require a proper VAT invoice to properly book it (and maybe get a VAT refund). And some vendors, especially in US, are unlikely to provide that. Using a travel agent might give the university confidence in receiving proper paperwork. $50 is likely a saving not worth enough to chase for that reason.
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
add a comment |
On top of the other answer by DCTLIB...
You haven't specified where you are and where is 'your' company, but there might be tax or financial book-keeping reasons.
E.g. if the company is in EU they might require a proper VAT invoice to properly book it (and maybe get a VAT refund). And some vendors, especially in US, are unlikely to provide that. Using a travel agent might give the university confidence in receiving proper paperwork. $50 is likely a saving not worth enough to chase for that reason.
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
add a comment |
On top of the other answer by DCTLIB...
You haven't specified where you are and where is 'your' company, but there might be tax or financial book-keeping reasons.
E.g. if the company is in EU they might require a proper VAT invoice to properly book it (and maybe get a VAT refund). And some vendors, especially in US, are unlikely to provide that. Using a travel agent might give the university confidence in receiving proper paperwork. $50 is likely a saving not worth enough to chase for that reason.
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
On top of the other answer by DCTLIB...
You haven't specified where you are and where is 'your' company, but there might be tax or financial book-keeping reasons.
E.g. if the company is in EU they might require a proper VAT invoice to properly book it (and maybe get a VAT refund). And some vendors, especially in US, are unlikely to provide that. Using a travel agent might give the university confidence in receiving proper paperwork. $50 is likely a saving not worth enough to chase for that reason.
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
answered May 17 '16 at 15:06
Grzegorz OledzkiGrzegorz Oledzki
819818
819818
add a comment |
add a comment |
Another reason - they think the time you would be spending looking for cheap flights is worth more than the price difference.
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
add a comment |
Another reason - they think the time you would be spending looking for cheap flights is worth more than the price difference.
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
add a comment |
Another reason - they think the time you would be spending looking for cheap flights is worth more than the price difference.
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
Another reason - they think the time you would be spending looking for cheap flights is worth more than the price difference.
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
answered May 17 '16 at 16:35
Pete KirkhamPete Kirkham
1713
1713
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
add a comment |
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
8
8
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
Of all the answers, this is the one I disagree with the most. To whoever makes these decisions, your time is worthless.
– emory
May 17 '16 at 20:42
7
7
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
Anyone who has dealt with a university finance department knows this is absolutely not the case!
– user35890
May 17 '16 at 21:44
12
12
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
Can be true in a business setting, definitely not true in academic settings.
– David Mulder
May 17 '16 at 23:32
add a comment |
Large travel agents have 24/7 assistance numbers. If you end up stranded at 2am on Sunday, they can get you rebooked, find a hotel room, etc. Most organizations are simply unable or unwilling to provide that support. OTA's (online travel agents) such as Expedia and Travelocity are notoriously bad at pointing a finger at the airline or hotel, while the provider correctly points back at the OTA who "owns" your booking. Lastly, when money is due back to the organization, it can be difficult and time-consuming to recover through the airline or an OTA. Large TA's that handle corporate accounts have the clout to handle credits and debits.
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
add a comment |
Large travel agents have 24/7 assistance numbers. If you end up stranded at 2am on Sunday, they can get you rebooked, find a hotel room, etc. Most organizations are simply unable or unwilling to provide that support. OTA's (online travel agents) such as Expedia and Travelocity are notoriously bad at pointing a finger at the airline or hotel, while the provider correctly points back at the OTA who "owns" your booking. Lastly, when money is due back to the organization, it can be difficult and time-consuming to recover through the airline or an OTA. Large TA's that handle corporate accounts have the clout to handle credits and debits.
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
add a comment |
Large travel agents have 24/7 assistance numbers. If you end up stranded at 2am on Sunday, they can get you rebooked, find a hotel room, etc. Most organizations are simply unable or unwilling to provide that support. OTA's (online travel agents) such as Expedia and Travelocity are notoriously bad at pointing a finger at the airline or hotel, while the provider correctly points back at the OTA who "owns" your booking. Lastly, when money is due back to the organization, it can be difficult and time-consuming to recover through the airline or an OTA. Large TA's that handle corporate accounts have the clout to handle credits and debits.
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
Large travel agents have 24/7 assistance numbers. If you end up stranded at 2am on Sunday, they can get you rebooked, find a hotel room, etc. Most organizations are simply unable or unwilling to provide that support. OTA's (online travel agents) such as Expedia and Travelocity are notoriously bad at pointing a finger at the airline or hotel, while the provider correctly points back at the OTA who "owns" your booking. Lastly, when money is due back to the organization, it can be difficult and time-consuming to recover through the airline or an OTA. Large TA's that handle corporate accounts have the clout to handle credits and debits.
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
answered May 18 '16 at 21:19
kenishkenish
411
411
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
add a comment |
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
1
1
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
This is the big one right here! My wife is an agent. When a major weather event happens, she spends the day finding alternatives for all her clients that may be inconvenienced by it. If you've booked via a web site you're on your own.
– tjd
May 19 '16 at 19:22
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
I've been through exactly this. Short connecting flight at the end of my trip delayed several hours due to weather, and then eventually cancelled at 2am. The corporate travel agent was able to book me a rental car at no cost or hassle to me, and I drove the remainder home.
– Phil Miller
May 20 '16 at 3:15
add a comment |
At many universities this is recommended but it is rarely a requirement, for the reasons listed in the other answers. However, there are downsides to booking via a travel agency, e.g. if you need to rebook the flight back while you are at the conference. You then need to contact your travel agency to do that for you, and they may ask that you make a payment for the rebooking first, putting the rebooking on hold until the payment is received. So, it's actually quite risky to book a flight via a travel agency, which is why I never do this.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
add a comment |
At many universities this is recommended but it is rarely a requirement, for the reasons listed in the other answers. However, there are downsides to booking via a travel agency, e.g. if you need to rebook the flight back while you are at the conference. You then need to contact your travel agency to do that for you, and they may ask that you make a payment for the rebooking first, putting the rebooking on hold until the payment is received. So, it's actually quite risky to book a flight via a travel agency, which is why I never do this.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
add a comment |
At many universities this is recommended but it is rarely a requirement, for the reasons listed in the other answers. However, there are downsides to booking via a travel agency, e.g. if you need to rebook the flight back while you are at the conference. You then need to contact your travel agency to do that for you, and they may ask that you make a payment for the rebooking first, putting the rebooking on hold until the payment is received. So, it's actually quite risky to book a flight via a travel agency, which is why I never do this.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
At many universities this is recommended but it is rarely a requirement, for the reasons listed in the other answers. However, there are downsides to booking via a travel agency, e.g. if you need to rebook the flight back while you are at the conference. You then need to contact your travel agency to do that for you, and they may ask that you make a payment for the rebooking first, putting the rebooking on hold until the payment is received. So, it's actually quite risky to book a flight via a travel agency, which is why I never do this.
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
answered May 17 '16 at 17:56
Count IblisCount Iblis
2,324720
2,324720
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
add a comment |
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
2
2
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
While I think this is true with "ordinary" travel agents, access in an emergency is one of the services a university or corporation will negotiate for.
– Andrew Lazarus
May 17 '16 at 20:26
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
Presumably a sufficiently large company or university has hired a large enough corporate travel agency that has the staff to take care of changes and emergencies, including after-hours, rather than just hiring a random guy with no staff or support.
– Zach Lipton
May 18 '16 at 21:43
add a comment |
IF in UK, something called ATOL protects all purchased tickets.
IF in a backward place like the usa;
- One suspects that, in the case of 'a problem', they know which
building to burn down and who gets a visit from 'BigVinnie' and the
'boys'. - Additionally, someone's brother-in-law is probably involved
somewhere...
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
add a comment |
IF in UK, something called ATOL protects all purchased tickets.
IF in a backward place like the usa;
- One suspects that, in the case of 'a problem', they know which
building to burn down and who gets a visit from 'BigVinnie' and the
'boys'. - Additionally, someone's brother-in-law is probably involved
somewhere...
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
add a comment |
IF in UK, something called ATOL protects all purchased tickets.
IF in a backward place like the usa;
- One suspects that, in the case of 'a problem', they know which
building to burn down and who gets a visit from 'BigVinnie' and the
'boys'. - Additionally, someone's brother-in-law is probably involved
somewhere...
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
IF in UK, something called ATOL protects all purchased tickets.
IF in a backward place like the usa;
- One suspects that, in the case of 'a problem', they know which
building to burn down and who gets a visit from 'BigVinnie' and the
'boys'. - Additionally, someone's brother-in-law is probably involved
somewhere...
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
edited May 18 '16 at 10:44
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
answered May 18 '16 at 10:38
HonestDavidHonestDavid
212
212
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
add a comment |
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
2
2
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
Funny! But not sufficiently informative. You might get some upvotes if you explained what ATOL is and what it protects, and how this is a helpful answer to the OP. For us folks in the boondocks.
– Spike0xff
May 18 '16 at 14:25
1
1
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
ATOL: caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection
– Surfbutler
May 19 '16 at 13:07
add a comment |
protected by Nean Der Thal May 19 '16 at 7:36
Thank you for your interest in this question.
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3
You said 'my university asks'. Is this a group trip for the university? What does the university has to do with all this?
– papakias
May 17 '16 at 11:31
4
It is a trip to a scientific conference. I get a refund from the university.
– Erel Segal-Halevi
May 17 '16 at 11:40
15
I suspect that your university imposes this requirement so that they can be assured that the ticket actually was purchased and at what price. Companies sometimes have this policy because they get a kick-back from the travel agent, but I wouldn't expect that to be likely for a university.
– Berwyn
May 17 '16 at 11:57
13
This is essential answered at The Workplace.
– gerrit
May 17 '16 at 13:16
11
I think the main reason is to enforce travel policies. You've found a ticket that's $50 less, but someone else might book a 2-day layover in Bali for $1000 more. Without the travel agent, the university would need to have someone examining your booking to ensure that it complies with policy. It's cheaper for them to conclude an agreement with a travel specialist and require you to book through said specialist.
– phoog
May 17 '16 at 20:54