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Agent service fees on the upswing
A vast majority of travel agents now charge fees, but what types of services are consumers willing to pay for?
Airline related services continue to top the list of service fees, according to a recent study by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
Agent fees overall are going up, the survey found, but hotel only reservations are among the types of fees customers are less willing to pay for. Car reservations are also not in favor with consumers.
On average, ASTA travel agencies charge their customers $27.30 for issuing airline tickets. The median price is $25, the survey found.
Agencies are charging the highest fees for trip planning and research — an average of $65.
Some agencies waive service fees.
Agents reported the most common reason for waiving air, hotel or other fees is for customers booking significant land or cruise packages.
The survey found the average revenue generated by service fees has been flat over the past two years.
Agents reported that 15% of their total revenue was generated by service fees.
More than 96.6% of ASTA agencies were reported to be charging fees.
Report by David Wilkening
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