Dear Ellen,
I am a travel agent & I have been in the business 22 years. I have been around when the airlines paid & I'm still around now that they don't. If you think we make more money now you are very mistaken. My agency charges 30.00 for an 800.00 ticket and do you know what the airline paid us way back when? 10 percent! Do the math. We do provide a service so I believe we should get paid. Ever work with a lawyer? They charge you right down to the paper clip on your file. How about a co-pay at the doctors? It's all the same. Do you honestly think the airlies & websites don't charge a fee?? The do. They are hidden. Do you really think the airlies protect you on the next flight when your flight has been cancelled? Ha ha I needed a good laugh. Oh & try calling their 800 number & get ready to be on hold for 30 minutes! How do I know this? Because I'm the one doing this for clients (providing a service) so they don't have to! But then I did read an article that said most people are working on their vacations, on the net, while working...I wonder how many bosses like that. I hope you understand that I had to defend my trade. I love my job. I adore my clients. I think the good travel agents will survive. One last thing I do tell clients about the fee upfront so that I'm not wasting my time so that I can concentrate on the clients that have supported me for the last 22 years.