International Travel Agent Recs?

[DoraBA]

Hi,

My parents, both senior citizens, booked an (non Disney) Alaska cruise, requiring flights from Israel, a few US stops then return from Canada.

Can anyone recommend a good travel agent speaclizing in international travel?

Thank you

 

[Flossbolna]

If you just want a travel agent for the flights it might be difficult as airlines don’t pay commission to TAs anymore. If you book cruise and hotel through a TA they will get you flights as well as they still earn money. But it sounds your parents already have the cruise booked.

 

[DoraBA]

Thank you its good to know. A lot has changed since COVID

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you its good to know. A lot has changed since COVID

The airlines not paying commission has been the case for 15 years at least I think.

 

[DoraBA]

The airlines not paying commission has been the case for 15 years at least I think.

LOL sorry, had no idea, only worked with local Israeli agents pre COVID
Thanks

 

[Cfudge]

The airlines not paying commission has been the case for 15 years at least I think.

That's not entirely true, they tend to pay on long haul/transatlantic flights, or most flights if you are booking premium economy and up. Source: Me getting paid.

 

[Girl of the South]

You should try Google Flights:

https://www.google.com/flights

In the upper left hand corner where it says ROUND TRIP, there is a drop down menu that offers "Multi City". You then enter Tel Aviv - NY, NY - Miami, Miami - Nashville . . . and so on, whatever cities you want with the return from Canada. Put in the dates as you go along (even just to see what the cost would be). You will then get an idea of the price and which airline might do such a routing. At the bottom it will give you a link to book. If it says (for example) American Airlines, you can call the airline directly and book it yourself over the phone. I think they might charge $25.

They might consider doing an 'open jaw' ticket (also doable under Multi City). Which would be Tel Aviv - Miami and then Vancouver - Tel Aviv on one airline. And then book the other flights with Southwest or Jet Blue inside the USA.

If nothing else this will give you/them an idea of cost and flight times. The thing is, even if a flight is just an hour, it seems to take a full day with getting to the airport with enough time to go through security and then getting your bags and transportation to a hotel on the other end.

 

[Flossbolna]

That's not entirely true, they tend to pay on long haul/transatlantic flights, or most flights if you are booking premium economy and up. Source: Me getting paid.

Thanks for the clarification! I never think about other classes than economy, so never thought about whether it could be different then.

 

[travelguideideas]

Thanks for sharing info. This discussion helpful