Posted in
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August 29th, 2004
Last time you walked into a bank to deposit your paycheck, were you charged extra because you dealt with a person instead of an ATM?
When you bought a magazine at the bookstore, were you slapped with a “service fee” because you purchased from an employee instead of its Web site?
No, of course not.
But that’s not [...]
Posted in
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August 22nd, 2004
During the past few weeks I’ve read many articles with the tips and tricks on how to get the best deal on airfare, hotel rooms, car rentals, and leisure vacation packages. But be careful what you ask for – and who you ask.
As a travel agent, I can’t help but think of Newton’s Third law [...]
Posted in
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August 8th, 2004
A travel agent used to cost nothing to use. Not anymore.
When airlines eliminated commissions paid to travel counselors, agents began charging service fees. And by and large, customers went along with it, in part because the fees implied that the agents were now working for them. Exclusively.
But that’s not true. Service fees never really replaced [...]