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From: 6243tes@whuts.UUCP (STERKEL)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: RE:  caution Re: OAG (really, reasons to use a travel agent)
Message-ID: <583@whuts.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Mar-86 08:07:26 EST
Article-I.D.: whuts.583
Posted: Thu Mar 13 08:07:26 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 02:10:10 EST
References: <829@cylixd.UUCP> <174@chronon.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 20

> <seven good reasons to use a travel agent instead of OAG and going
> directly through the airlines>
> 
> You left out an important one, especially important in view of the
> sometimes flaky behavior of airlines living in the fast lane:
> 
> If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent, you are pretty much
> covered if the airline goes under, even temporarily, and refuses to honor
> the ticket.  Travel agents have a trade association of some sort that
> insures you will either get a seat on another airline, most often at
> no additional expense, or get *all* your money back.  If you bought your
> ticket directly from the airline, you are quite possibly out of luck.
CAREFUL,
THIS IS ONLY TRUE IF THE AGENT USED "UNIVERSAL" TICKET STOCK.  MANY
(MOST?) AGENTS SAVE MONEY BY USING TICKET STOCK PUT OUT BY A SPECIFIC
AIRLINE.  I WAS BURNT WHEN BRANIFF WENT UNDER, (COULD NOT RETURN HOME),
DESPITE THE FACT THAT A TRAVEL AGENT ISSUED THE TICKET BECAUSE OF THIS
FACT.  THOSE PEOPLE AT THE EASTERN COUNTER WITH "UNIVERSAL" STOCK
WERE ACCEPTED BY EASTERN, THOSE 70% OF US WITH BRANIFF STOCK GOT STUCK.
.