Korean Job Discussion Forums

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I know, I know, that's a very negative thread title, but seriously, why use them?

I was looking for a ticket to Thailand (Bangkok) on August 4th, with a return date of the 24th or the 25th, whichever was cheaper. I contacted 7 or 8 travel agencies, all with the same email, saying I was really looking for the cheapest flight, and would be comparing prices with other agencies, so I appreciated a quick response.

Well, some took up to a week to reply. Some said that they had schedules available, but wouldn't be able to give me a price until July... sure I'll just hang out till then while the flights all get booked, only to find out it's really expensive. The rest quoted me prices from $650 to $850, not including taxes. Kind of expensive.

So, I got frustrated, and went online myself. Found a flight through Eva Air, that matches the dates I want, and is only $539 taxes included. Way cheaper than the travel agents quoted prices, and it includes the taxes.

Part of me is wondering why I even bothered with them in the first place...

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Yup, I'm not a fan of the travel agents here either.

Seems like there some price gouging going on with all the secrecy and games they play.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

travel agents here can be real catch can, So far Soho has treated me the best but I've often found better deals ionline with the airlines directly.

Example, going to Bangkok on Jul 27 returing Aug 18, Soho quoted me 800k on Thai, Shoestring about the same. I go online Interpark was 733. I go to the Thai website, 680 with tax. Yeah Eva is cheaper by about 150k but Thai has better routing and I can arrive within 30 minutes of my wifes flight

Now going to the states for my wife at the same time Soho got her 1.4 while shoestring was 1.7 and I never heard from some other ones. Online I couldnt get much better and the US airlines were unbelievably high. If I had the time I would book a one way out and go through some of the US consolidator sites for a return. I did that last summer and found much cheaper returns in the US

mrd · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: fluorescent-filled paradise

Soho was my best deal too, not only does he speak great English, but he offered a thoughful response to a pretty convoluted e-mail with great flight suggestions and a very attractive price!

AylaZ · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

What is their website?

Mr Crowley · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Location: Suwon

What is the difference, price wise, in refundable and non-refundable tickets?

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

Don't ever EVER use travel agents here. They all belong in hell. Go directly through the airline - you will save money, guaranteed.

juliebaas · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Location: Somewhere near Seoul

Is there a thread or sticky on good websites to check for prices to different countries? I hadn't heard of Eva air and someone mentioned a Thai website, someone else once told me Kayak.com - it would be good to have a list here of websites to use. Just a thought.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I checked these two:

www.evaair.com

www.whypaymore.co.kr

I think every airline has their own website where you can book with them.

But I thought my 539,000won roundtrip ticket to Bangkok wasn't bad through Eva Air, considering how pricey the tickets the travel agents quoted me were.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

What the hell is going on with whypaymore? Every time I call, they say "no Englishee subis." Did the English speaking girl quit?