5

This question is specifically for the UK travel agents, but I would assume the answer would be applicable everywhere.

I'm currently preparing to book a family holiday in Europe (probably Spain, Greece or Turkey). My perception of travel prices is that they have increased massively over the last two years, and I was wondering what the scope was for negotiation. I've heard from various web-sites and anecdotally that travel agents can be open to offers, although so far have never tried.

Typically, does a travel agent have discretion for dropping the price and, if so, by what kind of percentage? Alternatively, is this a more likely option if I contact the hotel directly?

JonathanReez
  • 82,178
  • 90
  • 394
  • 764
Paul Michaels
  • 151
  • 2

1 Answers1

6

No experience specifically with the UK, but in general, commissions paid to travel agents are both low and fixed, which makes negotiating a bit pointless.

For example, if they sell you a $1000 flight ticket, they might get 2% ($20) as commission. Even if you manage to cut that in half through negotiation, they lose half their incentive, and you only save ten bucks. Hotels tend to pay higher commissions (eg. 10% at Hyatt), so there's a bit more room to budge, but that's still only $100 off $1000.

So instead of trying to shave pennies off a given price, you're probably better off looking at cheaper destinations or resorts, or just booking online and arranging everything yourself, Most booking engines these days have "hotel plus flight" packages that give you access to exactly the same deals as brick and mortar travel agents, only with lower overhead and thus lower commissions.

lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891