Getting the best deals from travel agents

Last December, Mrs Joyce Munyao was going on a multi-stop journey that involved a few airline connections.

She was torn between using a travel agent and booking the flight herself.

She told Money that she perused through the yellow pages to get a preferred travel agent and place a booking, but the results were disastrous.

“I was left with only one option. I had to book a flight directly from an airline and this cost fuel to drive all the way to their offices, where I had to go through a tiresome step-by-booking process that took a lot of my time,” Mrs Munyao.

She did not know that she had the option of searching online for travel agents and doing the comparisons on her own.

It would not have taken much effort and would have saved her money.

With the robust tourism industry in Kenya and the last-minute rush by thousands of Kenyans to secure late flights, it is difficult to get a booking to one’s preferred destination at short notice.

This is where travel agents come in.

Thriving sector

Commercial air travel with its attendant experiences and services has created this thriving sector that most travellers cannot do without.

According to Ms Jackline Kimeto, the CEO of Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Africa’s share of global tourism arrivals has risen from 3 per cent in 1995 and is expected to peak at 5 per cent by 2020.

A 2012 World Bank report also states that the number of travel agents will grow at a rate of 7.2 per cent in Africa.

The report says the industry has created many jobs in the region, with one out of every 20 jobs in Africa rising from the tourism and travel industry.

The mission of travel agencies is to make life easier for those who need to travel so that they do not have to spend valuable time booking tickets and sorting out any problem arising.
To get the best deal, Mr Brian Kariuki, the East Africa country manager for Travelstart, a South African-based travel agency, advises travellers to consider certain factors.
He recommends that one determine their travel needs first before buying a ticket.

These include whether one requires a non-stop flight or a multi-route one, whether one needs accommodation and entertainment, a refundable ticket, or travel insurance.
This is where travel agents come in. So how does one pick a good travel agent?
“A good travel agent is one who is able to advise you on the best flights to your destination, the airline’s rules, and the best and worst days and seasons to fly.

You will probably find such an agent online,” Mr Kariuki said.
You do not want your hotel’s helpline to be off a few days before your trip, or your airline or car hire firm busy on that day. A good agent will sort all that out.

According to Ms Anny Beyer, a travel expert with Smart Travel, a US-based travel organisation, online travel agents have better fares than their traditional counterparts.

“Their prices are fairly affordable as online agents do not need offices to operate from, so they do not pass the extra operation costs to their customers,” she said.

When picking an agent, look for additional packages as you might need them.

“To remain on top of your business, you have to offer exclusive services,” Mr Kariuki told Money.
Such value additions include insurance policies ranging from accident benefit, cancellation, refund, and visa denial.
For example, if one buys a ticket from Kenya to Amsterdam, Mr Kariuki said Travelstart guarantees an accident benefit of up to $150,000.
“This means that a customer will pay an additional Sh1,350 for international flights.

For domestic flights, it is added to your ticket and you will receive it in case you get an accident,” he clarified.

“If a passenger dies, it is referred to as a death benefit and the ticket is fully refunded.”

One of the most popular products is cancellation and refund of ticket. If for some reason you are not able to fly after making a full booking, you get a partial refund of your initial fare.

If you are hospitalised or die, your next of kin will be given a full refund of your ticket.

Travel hotspots

Travel agents also come in when one is denied a visa. There are travel hotspots where customers are not always sure of getting a visa.

Regions where Kenyans have been denied visas even after buying a ticket include London, Dubai, and Mumbai.

Agents usually advise customers to buy tickets two weeks in advance of visa processing as they are cheaper then.

Mr Brian Tan, the CEO of Zicasso, an online luxury travel referral service, said good travel agents are those that specialise.

They pick a few destinations and activities and become experts in their field of specialisation.

“Consumers need to know that they are seeking a true travel specialist because most trips are long and complex,” he said.

Aramati Safaris is one such specialised travel agent, providing mission and educational tours.

Specialists can assist you to mix and match your flights. Such flights are often cheaper if one buys a return ticket. It increases a customer’s chances of finding a better deal.

This means that one does not have to strain and visit different airline websites to find cheap one-way tickets.

For instance, if one is travelling from Nairobi to Baton Rouge in Louisiana, USA, an affordable return ticket would cost Sh217,449.54 if one uses one airline, while a mix-and-march deal would cost Sh195,643.28. Only a travel agent can help one get such affordable tickets as most reliable online operators have access to an inventory of flights all over the world.

Travelstart says it links up to a global distribution system that airlines also link up to.

This makes it easier for them to advise you when to travel, which routes to use, and how to get lower fares for comfortable travel.