Airtreks and Bootsnall
#3
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I have done extensive research on those you suggest. They have strict rules (in terms of route, direction and overland options) and on top of it they work out (in our case - 3 tickets) a couple thousand dollars more expensive. Now the massive plus with those you suggest is that you have open tickets but the Airtrek and Bootsnall have no flexibility. I'm trying to weigh it out.
#4
First, Bootsnall and Airtreks are the same company. Bootsnall was an "online community" site before it bought Airtreks a couple of years ago. Airtreks has been around for years.
While a good price is obviously important, it's equally important with complicated itineraries like RTW trips that you have some flexibility to change or reschedule things, and that you have some means of fixing problems when they occur. Unlike the airline alliances or multinational travel firms like STA, Airtreks has exactly one office, in San Francisco. If you've missed your flight in Bali or have gotten sick in Botswana, and it's the middle of the night in California, good luck.
A couple of cost-related items. First, a big feature of the alliance-based tickets is that the prices vary hugely depending on where the tickets are bought and travel begins/ends. For example, take a Oneworld Alliance four-continent RTW ticket (say N. America, Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ). Bought and started in the USA, that ticket will have a base price before taxes and fees of $5299. The same ticket, bought and started in Canada instead of the US, will cost $4075. Bought and started in Dublin, it would be $2837. Don't know where you are, but could you get to Ireland for less than $2500? Uh... yeah.
Second, with alliance tickets, date changes are free and you can completely revise your itinerary - dates, cities, stopover points, you name it - for a flat $125 change fee. With Airtreks tickets those kinds of major changes can be cost-prohibitive once you add in each segment's penalties for changes. In some cases, Airtreks segments can be in fare categories ("buckets") which don't allow any changes whatsoever, so changing your itinerary requires you basically to leave that fare on the table and buy a whole new ticket for the changed segment(s).
Third, the alliance tickets all include baggage. Non-alliance tickets like Airtreks may or may not, and the difference over the course of a long RTW trip can amount to hundreds of dollars per person.
Now, Airtreks can be useful in being able to book routes regardless of the carrier, while alliance RTWs require you to stick with member airlines of the particular alliance. This can make some destinations tough to reach; for example Oneworld offers very little within the continent of Africa outside of southern Africa, while Star Alliance is pretty useless within Australia or within the Middle East. So knowing in advance the limitations of the various networks and/or RTW products is still very important.
It's like any big purchase. The more homework you do, the better the chances you'll get what you want. I'm often puzzled by people that put less research into travel purchases costing thousands than they do in buying appliances costing hundreds. I'm not saying that's your case; that you came here in the first place is a positive sign.
Give us an idea of your itinerary and timing, and maybe some more "targeted" suggestions can be forthcoming.
While a good price is obviously important, it's equally important with complicated itineraries like RTW trips that you have some flexibility to change or reschedule things, and that you have some means of fixing problems when they occur. Unlike the airline alliances or multinational travel firms like STA, Airtreks has exactly one office, in San Francisco. If you've missed your flight in Bali or have gotten sick in Botswana, and it's the middle of the night in California, good luck.
A couple of cost-related items. First, a big feature of the alliance-based tickets is that the prices vary hugely depending on where the tickets are bought and travel begins/ends. For example, take a Oneworld Alliance four-continent RTW ticket (say N. America, Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ). Bought and started in the USA, that ticket will have a base price before taxes and fees of $5299. The same ticket, bought and started in Canada instead of the US, will cost $4075. Bought and started in Dublin, it would be $2837. Don't know where you are, but could you get to Ireland for less than $2500? Uh... yeah.
Second, with alliance tickets, date changes are free and you can completely revise your itinerary - dates, cities, stopover points, you name it - for a flat $125 change fee. With Airtreks tickets those kinds of major changes can be cost-prohibitive once you add in each segment's penalties for changes. In some cases, Airtreks segments can be in fare categories ("buckets") which don't allow any changes whatsoever, so changing your itinerary requires you basically to leave that fare on the table and buy a whole new ticket for the changed segment(s).
Third, the alliance tickets all include baggage. Non-alliance tickets like Airtreks may or may not, and the difference over the course of a long RTW trip can amount to hundreds of dollars per person.
Now, Airtreks can be useful in being able to book routes regardless of the carrier, while alliance RTWs require you to stick with member airlines of the particular alliance. This can make some destinations tough to reach; for example Oneworld offers very little within the continent of Africa outside of southern Africa, while Star Alliance is pretty useless within Australia or within the Middle East. So knowing in advance the limitations of the various networks and/or RTW products is still very important.
It's like any big purchase. The more homework you do, the better the chances you'll get what you want. I'm often puzzled by people that put less research into travel purchases costing thousands than they do in buying appliances costing hundreds. I'm not saying that's your case; that you came here in the first place is a positive sign.
Give us an idea of your itinerary and timing, and maybe some more "targeted" suggestions can be forthcoming.
#5
I've used Airtreks several times, have experienced excellent customer service and have changed flights, no charge, just walking up to the airport counter and asking. Not saying that would always be the case but have done it twice in India on Airtreks tickets, one date change, one destination change, no problem. I recommend the company wholeheartedly. They also provide basic travel insurance, included in the price of your tickets.
#6
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MmePerdu that sounds very promising! Thanks for your input!
Gardyloo - Thanks for the detailed response. I am open to everything, so all your info was a lot of help! I was aware Bootsnall and Airtreks have amalgamated, but the difference is if you purchase through Airtreks you get complimentary travel insurance, which is a plus.
Here is my itinerary:
Prague to Delhi- 5 weeks
Delhi to Cochin - 2 weeks
Cochin - Bangkok overland to Hanoi - 10 weeks
Hanoi to Bangkok overland to Singapore - 5 weeks
Singapore to Jakarta overland to Bali - 3 weeks
Bali to Johannesburg overland to Cape Town - 6 weeks
Gosh, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
Gardyloo - Thanks for the detailed response. I am open to everything, so all your info was a lot of help! I was aware Bootsnall and Airtreks have amalgamated, but the difference is if you purchase through Airtreks you get complimentary travel insurance, which is a plus.
Here is my itinerary:
Prague to Delhi- 5 weeks
Delhi to Cochin - 2 weeks
Cochin - Bangkok overland to Hanoi - 10 weeks
Hanoi to Bangkok overland to Singapore - 5 weeks
Singapore to Jakarta overland to Bali - 3 weeks
Bali to Johannesburg overland to Cape Town - 6 weeks
Gosh, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
#7
Prague to Delhi- 5 weeks
Delhi to Cochin - 2 weeks
Cochin - Bangkok overland to Hanoi - 10 weeks
Hanoi to Bangkok overland to Singapore - 5 weeks
Singapore to Jakarta overland to Bali - 3 weeks
Bali to Johannesburg overland to Cape Town - 6 weeks
How are you getting to Prague and where are you going after South Africa? Since your itinerary is very heavy with South and Southeast Asia destinations, an actual RTW ticket might not be the best value. Also, what does the timing look like? You'll be visiting some areas where weather plays a big part in convenience and (potentially enjoyment) - monsoon season in Asia, heat and/or wet in S. Africa, etc.
Delhi to Cochin - 2 weeks
Cochin - Bangkok overland to Hanoi - 10 weeks
Hanoi to Bangkok overland to Singapore - 5 weeks
Singapore to Jakarta overland to Bali - 3 weeks
Bali to Johannesburg overland to Cape Town - 6 weeks
How are you getting to Prague and where are you going after South Africa? Since your itinerary is very heavy with South and Southeast Asia destinations, an actual RTW ticket might not be the best value. Also, what does the timing look like? You'll be visiting some areas where weather plays a big part in convenience and (potentially enjoyment) - monsoon season in Asia, heat and/or wet in S. Africa, etc.
#8
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Actually I should have said that we have a a free ticket from Prague to Deli so please discount that first flight.
From Cape Town we are going to Athens, Greece.
- The dates are: Dec 1 for 7 weeks we will be in India
- Northern Thailand and Bangkok at the end of Jan for about 3 weeks
- Cambodia for 2 weeks in Feb
- Vietnam for 5 weeks from the end of Feb and for March.
- Back to Thailand (Southern Thailand) for 3 weeks in April
- Malaysia for 2 weeks in April
- Singapore for a week in May
- Jakarta and Bali for 3 weeks in May
- June and half of July in SA
- July and August in Greece
Thanks for your input Gardyloo!
From Cape Town we are going to Athens, Greece.
- The dates are: Dec 1 for 7 weeks we will be in India
- Northern Thailand and Bangkok at the end of Jan for about 3 weeks
- Cambodia for 2 weeks in Feb
- Vietnam for 5 weeks from the end of Feb and for March.
- Back to Thailand (Southern Thailand) for 3 weeks in April
- Malaysia for 2 weeks in April
- Singapore for a week in May
- Jakarta and Bali for 3 weeks in May
- June and half of July in SA
- July and August in Greece
Thanks for your input Gardyloo!
#10
I'm sure you know, you don't have to actually be going RTW to buy from Airtreks, just to multiple continents, which obviously you are. They won't sell simple coach RT tickets, although they will sell them in business class, or have done in my experience. They seem to be flexible sometimes, possibly for repeat customers.
Last time I bought an itinerary from them, the first leg I'd already gotten with miles, and then about half of the rest was overland, something they do well, filling in between overland legs with flights. My agent, who I'd worked with before, also volunteered to cover the entire trip, even sections I didn't buy from them, with their insurance. I thought it a very genteel move on their part and tells me something about them, adding rather than subtracting as so many do, from their service.
If you haven't played with their Trip Planner, it's fun, give it spin, including the overland sections as well:
http://tripplanner.airtreks.com/Html...TREKS&DST=HOME
Last time I bought an itinerary from them, the first leg I'd already gotten with miles, and then about half of the rest was overland, something they do well, filling in between overland legs with flights. My agent, who I'd worked with before, also volunteered to cover the entire trip, even sections I didn't buy from them, with their insurance. I thought it a very genteel move on their part and tells me something about them, adding rather than subtracting as so many do, from their service.
If you haven't played with their Trip Planner, it's fun, give it spin, including the overland sections as well:
http://tripplanner.airtreks.com/Html...TREKS&DST=HOME
#11
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Gardyloo - Both no to the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.
MmePerdu - I think I am going to try Airtreks. I am going to submit my itinerary to them. I like the idea of getting the free travel insurance. Thanks!
MmePerdu - I think I am going to try Airtreks. I am going to submit my itinerary to them. I like the idea of getting the free travel insurance. Thanks!
#12
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As aside, I don't know why you are dividing your time in Thailand, but I wouldn't choose to be there in April - the absolutely hottest month of the year. I'd suggest you consolidate your Thailand time, putting you in southern Thailand in February, when you should have glorious weather on the Andaman Sea coast.
#13
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"MmePerdu on Oct 24, 15 at 2:35pm
I've used Airtreks several times, have experienced excellent customer service and have changed flights, no charge, just walking up to the airport counter and asking. Not saying that would always be the case but have done it twice in India on Airtreks tickets, one date change, one destination change, no problem. I recommend the company wholeheartedly. They also provide basic travel insurance, included in the price of your tickets. "
Good to know. I just noticed your post a while ago as I usually don't spend time on the airline forum. But, I thought that I'd pull up some info on Airtreks although I've known of them for years.
I just got back from my 6-week Asian vacation, but am always planning future trips in my mind. So, on Sunday night, I was working on a possible 2018 trip to Kyoto, but then decided that maybe I'd just do a round-the-world trip with Asian destinations. So, I made up a chart and plugged in 5, Asian countries into the plan and then contacted Airtreks. I got a call on Monday morning, Presidents' Day holiday. The agent and I had a very pleasant chat and I was told that my plan would be worked on so that I could have a ballpark figure of the airfares and in Business Class. I had the agent put my dates into a 2017 plan although it probably won't be until 2018. But, I can still get an idea of the projected cost of the airfares. Yesterday, Wednesday, I had already received a price for the airfares and they were all connected to Star Alliance as I want to stick with Singapore Air. I was very impressed with the customer service that I received.
Happy Travels!
I received an e-mail yesterday, stating that I would get my price plan today and I just accessed my e-mail, about 3 hours ago, and there it was. The price, of flying to 5 countries, came out to only about $2,000 more than a Singapore Air, round-trip LAX to Singapore flight in Business Class as I just came home, from Singapore, in Business Class although I flew over in Premium Economy.
Happy Travels!
I've used Airtreks several times, have experienced excellent customer service and have changed flights, no charge, just walking up to the airport counter and asking. Not saying that would always be the case but have done it twice in India on Airtreks tickets, one date change, one destination change, no problem. I recommend the company wholeheartedly. They also provide basic travel insurance, included in the price of your tickets. "
Good to know. I just noticed your post a while ago as I usually don't spend time on the airline forum. But, I thought that I'd pull up some info on Airtreks although I've known of them for years.
I just got back from my 6-week Asian vacation, but am always planning future trips in my mind. So, on Sunday night, I was working on a possible 2018 trip to Kyoto, but then decided that maybe I'd just do a round-the-world trip with Asian destinations. So, I made up a chart and plugged in 5, Asian countries into the plan and then contacted Airtreks. I got a call on Monday morning, Presidents' Day holiday. The agent and I had a very pleasant chat and I was told that my plan would be worked on so that I could have a ballpark figure of the airfares and in Business Class. I had the agent put my dates into a 2017 plan although it probably won't be until 2018. But, I can still get an idea of the projected cost of the airfares. Yesterday, Wednesday, I had already received a price for the airfares and they were all connected to Star Alliance as I want to stick with Singapore Air. I was very impressed with the customer service that I received.
Happy Travels!
I received an e-mail yesterday, stating that I would get my price plan today and I just accessed my e-mail, about 3 hours ago, and there it was. The price, of flying to 5 countries, came out to only about $2,000 more than a Singapore Air, round-trip LAX to Singapore flight in Business Class as I just came home, from Singapore, in Business Class although I flew over in Premium Economy.
Happy Travels!
#15
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Excuse my mixed up post above as I must have fallen asleep while editing. I guess it's a combination of some leftover jet lag combined with returning to work and being exhausted. LOL!
But, thanks MmePerdu for posting your experience with Airtreks. Smiles.
Happy Travels!
But, thanks MmePerdu for posting your experience with Airtreks. Smiles.
Happy Travels!
#16
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For what this is worth: I have had a fairly long term relationship,with these folks,recently ended. At first all went well.
At first.
It seems that they have a relationship with Airlines or at least a way to book tickets for others that we may not have access to.
The first issue began when I decided to check if I could get as good or better pricing they could provide.
Result was I saved $1600 for the same exact itinerary doing it myself the same day as I received their quote.
Since then I have used them and found that they try to book the cheapest possible tickets they can and then mark up from there.
Also I have had issues with one of their reps not reserving a seat....requiring $30 charge at the airport.....and booking me with the lowest possible baggage allowance ( 10kgs) on international flights....requiring extra baggage charges upon check in.
Upon protest the customer service refused to put me in touch with management. I found( guessed) his email address and got one reply requesting more details which I provided followed by a deafening silence.
Moral:
Check the details and compare prices before sending $$.
A little too slick and on the edge of dishonesty is my opinion.
Good Luck
At first.
It seems that they have a relationship with Airlines or at least a way to book tickets for others that we may not have access to.
The first issue began when I decided to check if I could get as good or better pricing they could provide.
Result was I saved $1600 for the same exact itinerary doing it myself the same day as I received their quote.
Since then I have used them and found that they try to book the cheapest possible tickets they can and then mark up from there.
Also I have had issues with one of their reps not reserving a seat....requiring $30 charge at the airport.....and booking me with the lowest possible baggage allowance ( 10kgs) on international flights....requiring extra baggage charges upon check in.
Upon protest the customer service refused to put me in touch with management. I found( guessed) his email address and got one reply requesting more details which I provided followed by a deafening silence.
Moral:
Check the details and compare prices before sending $$.
A little too slick and on the edge of dishonesty is my opinion.
Good Luck
#17
1wanderer, sorry for your troubles but, to be honest, they seem pretty small troubles in the scheme of things. However, they made you unhappy and we all have a perfect right to be dissatisfied for any reason.
Coincidentally, after a lull while my travel money has been spent on my house, I contacted my long-time Airtreks agent Friday afternoon, figuring I'd hear from her on Tuesday, today, after the holiday. But surprise, I got an email from her yesterday on the holiday saying she'd work up my fare.
It isn't a RTW this time but I've been trying to find a less expensive way to Egypt from the west coast that doesn't involve lousy connections with ridiculous layovers. Since a stop in Rome for a few days sounds good to me, it qualifies for their at-least-3-continents rule as they don't do simple round-trip fares. I'm happy to be doing business with them again and expect she'll come up with something good for me.
Coincidentally, after a lull while my travel money has been spent on my house, I contacted my long-time Airtreks agent Friday afternoon, figuring I'd hear from her on Tuesday, today, after the holiday. But surprise, I got an email from her yesterday on the holiday saying she'd work up my fare.
It isn't a RTW this time but I've been trying to find a less expensive way to Egypt from the west coast that doesn't involve lousy connections with ridiculous layovers. Since a stop in Rome for a few days sounds good to me, it qualifies for their at-least-3-continents rule as they don't do simple round-trip fares. I'm happy to be doing business with them again and expect she'll come up with something good for me.
#18
"It seems that they have a relationship with Airlines or at least a way to book tickets for others that we may not have access to."
Well, of course. Why does that surprise you? Have you never heard of consolidator tickets?
"Result was I saved $1600 for the same exact itinerary doing it myself the same day as I received their quote."
I would always check multiple sources.
"Since then I have used them and found that they try to book the cheapest possible tickets they can and then mark up from there."
Again, why is this a surprise? They are a business, not a charity.
If you want to be able to reserve a seat and check bags you need to specify that upfront, and check the tickets before accepting them. I did once price a trip with them, and discovered I could do it a bit cheaper booking it myself, but I just used their online tool, and talking to a rep might have produced a better price.
"Check the details and compare prices before sending $$."
This is news?
Well, of course. Why does that surprise you? Have you never heard of consolidator tickets?
"Result was I saved $1600 for the same exact itinerary doing it myself the same day as I received their quote."
I would always check multiple sources.
"Since then I have used them and found that they try to book the cheapest possible tickets they can and then mark up from there."
Again, why is this a surprise? They are a business, not a charity.
If you want to be able to reserve a seat and check bags you need to specify that upfront, and check the tickets before accepting them. I did once price a trip with them, and discovered I could do it a bit cheaper booking it myself, but I just used their online tool, and talking to a rep might have produced a better price.
"Check the details and compare prices before sending $$."
This is news?