Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kylehawkins2000]

I'm having alot of trouble booking flights for xmas break. No one will give me a price on the tickets. What's up with that? Christmas is less than 3 weeks away.

I've had this 'problem' before but usually they know a month or two in advance what a ticket is going to cost.

Does anyone else find that the Korean travel agents are really horrible?

[Gord]

If they quote you a price and you walk in two days later, the price will have gone up which leads to people screaming "you told me a lower price". Basically they can give you a price for if you bought the ticket right now, not a price for being bought tomorrow. It's the Christmas rush.

Ticket prices are based on supply and demand, so it's not so much they know what a ticket cost will be in the future, but when you look into it two months in advance the prices will still be very stable.

Perhaps try an online site like Xpedia or Orbitz so you can have an idea of a worst case scenario, if you booked at the time.

[kangnamdragon]

Where are you going? I am going to Portland, Oregon for 1,200,000 round trip.

[justagirl]

They did the same to me in November. I couldn't get a price until a week before my trip. What??? And then, the tickets were sold out! I wanted to buy mine a month in advance. Grr. I really, really hate Korean ticketing. Why in the world can't they simply have a price? You note that Expedia never has a problem giving a price. Why do the Korean travel agents?

Good luck, man. Don't be surprised if they are already sold out, when they finally do tell you a price.

justagirl

[kylehawkins2000]

Gord,

Can you tell me why it's only like this in Korea? Every other country I've been to can give me a price on a ticket months in advance. Not giving a price doesn't really encourage someone to buy. If someone would just give me a damn price I'd march over there and lay my money down.

It's like calling up a pizza joint and saying "how much for a pizza?" and they say "we don't know"......should I just say "Ok, I'll have an extra large please?".....just doesn't make any sense.

[just because]

I've had no trouble with ticket prices. just got a flight on the 22nd. of December from Busan to Brisbane for 670 000 won. Rang up, gave me the price, i booked the ticket(it is with Qantas) going through Tokyo. I used this travel agent in Busan, they are fantastic. I paid through the bank so it doesn't matter what part of the country you are in, they will send you the ticket.
www.kangsantravel.com

[mack the knife]

Tip o' the day:

Travel agents often quote the same or HIGHER prices than airline customer service representatives. Always call the airline first, find out if a seat is available for your departure date, and get a quote on the price. They will often give you price even when travel agents are reluctant to do so.

Of course, you need to shop around because it's always possible you'll score a better deal through an agent.

[Gord]

[mack the knife]

The problem is that you often CAN'T buy the tickets "today" (in Korea, that is). You must wait while the travel agent gives you the full "who shot john" deal and then finally quotes you a price months later that doubles the original estimate.

This is another reason to avoid travel agents if at all possible. They don't find out the actual rates until after the airlines notify them (which could be days/weeks later--we're talking about peak season tickets).

[kylehawkins2000]

Ok, perhaps I wasn't clear enough.

I want a ticket now to travel to the Phillipines on the 26th or 27th. I"m not trying to book months in advance and I'm willing to pay as soon as someone will quote me a price.

This is the same in any country? Not bloody likely! I've booked up to 6 months in advance with a Canadian travel agent, and 4 months in advance with a British agent. They were both able to give me exact prices on the spot and issue the ticket.

[schwa]

If you've got an agent you like & trust, the system can work to your advantage -- they postpone fixing prices to work you the best deal. No premiums here for early purchase. But you can book a number of flights with no penalty. So waiting lists get inflated. Push come to shove, you fly pretty much when you want to at a reasonable fare. I gave up sweating out the preplanning details & it's always seemed to work out okay.

[sayangamber]

I am going home for Christmas and have had a reservation since September. However, prices weren't set until last week for Singapore Airlines (in fact, Korean Air hadn't even set prices as of last week and told me it should be done this week - that came directly from the airline). Anyways, I'm flying to San Francisco for 720,000. I can't wait!

SayangAmber

[Homer]

Kyle...here is what you should do mate:

1- Walk into a travel agency
2-Sit down
3-tell the agen where you want to go and when
4-Listen to the price she or he tells you
5-Say you want to book the flight now (don't forget to bring money)
6-Pay
7-Take your ticket
8-Stand up
9-Walk to the door and open it
10-Go home
11- Sit down in your living room and make sure you remember these little steps for next time...

[kylehawkins2000]

Thanks for the condescending message Homer. Very helpful. To be honest I'd rather have someone give me a price over the phone so I don't have to travel somewhere just to be given the same load of bull I've been getting over the phone.

Believe it or not I have actually booked travel from Korea on several occassions in the past. I've had to put up with crap before but this is just unbelievable.

[rudyflyer]

just got a fare to Austin Texas last week 1.26 roundtrip leaving the 21st yikes!!! If I could of gone this weekend it would of been around a million.

I've used the same travel agent for years and its always been this way. Funny thing I check on United web's site and the "best internet fare" is always about 50% higher and has terrible routing.