Sometimes the best way to pay less for premium air travel is knowing how to avoid paying too much. If that sounds ridiculously simple, consider this easily overlooked fact: Your travel agency’s fare-booking system might be inflating your ticket price.
Travel agencies generally subscribe to one of four Global Distribution Systems (GDS): Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, or Worldspan. Which one it uses can make a huge difference in what you pay for a seat.
For example: American, Continental, Delta, and United all came out with $2,199 no-advance New York-London roundtrip fares on Nov. 13. While agents using the Sabre system saw all four airlines listing that fare, those using Amadeus found it available only on Continental and United. Delta and American, through Amadeus, priced out at $3,767—more than 70% higher.
Is this really such a big deal? Well, yes, if you’re trying to book your preferred airlines, rack up elite miles, and get access to its alliance partners, and book through the wrong agency. Starting out more than $1,500 in the hole throws fare strategies out the window.