Hi All
Just want to share my frustration against AVRO/Monarch who told us all since the Kiss Flights Failure that they would support Agents!
As an independnent travel company competing against the big players, we reply on Dynamic Packaging to compete and usually use AVRO to obtain our flight seats. I was looking at flights to Gran Canaria from Gatwick for the Summer but couldn't find any so thought I'd call AVRO to see if there was a problem with their agents site. I was told that there were some destinations that Monarch would not be selling seat only to - including Gran Canaria from Gatwick! I was told that Monarch would be selling packages there and that maybe the customer may get a flight only directly through Monarch. This is a popular route so I can't believe this is smart business sense for Monarch.
Of course there are always the low cost carriers but for us independents (and TTA Members), that means using a company credit/debit card delaying cash flow etc - and then of course, all the low cost carriers love agents don't they?
So tell me Monarch, how are you supporting Agents again?
I believe there has been some misunderstanding regarding the above. Avro has been a key supplier of flight only products for over 25 years and its support to the travel trade is its top priority. As such we are always looking to provide the product that our travel agent partners request where demand exists and it is commercially viable to do so. In this instance, however, Avro does not operate a flight from Gatwick to Las Palmas in the summer months. Neither does sister airline, Monarch. Our sister tour operator, Cosmos, however, does offer packages to the destination but through a third party airline. Our support from the trade (including TTA) over the years and especially since the collapse of Kiss and Goldtrail last year has been phenomenal and we will continue to work hard to build on this.
well done Simon for coming on here and answering while saying who you are
Hi - I appreciate your reply. Looks like there has been some misunderstanding as the way it was explained to us was that AVRO had just stopped providing this service recently - I'm glad to hear that this not a recent implementation and that AVRO does not operate that particular route. My initial posting was some what emotive based on what I was advised by the call centre and I apologise about that and it was not intended to knock AVRO as I believe you offer a fantastic product and can not fault the service (especially after just experiencing it personally myself!) . If only the call centre could have just told us that you simply don't operate that route during the Summer from Gatwick! I appreciate you coming on and responding.
Are Cosmos and Avro going to be increasing their commission levels on their flight only product?
Many thanks for the responses.
“Expressions”, I have been in contact with our call centre management team and have passed on your comments. We appreciate your feedback – whether its good or bad we are keen to hear it so that we can continue to improve our service to the trade.
“Arron”, we continuously review all elements of our flight only product to ensure that we remain competitive in the market and to ensure that the trade can offer great value to our consumers – if at any point in the future we review commission levels, this will be communicated directly with our trade partners.
I trust this covers everything and responds to all questions and observations.
Thanks
Simon
Hi Simon,
Nothing quite to do with above.....but having flown on Monarch yesterday on a return flight from Las Palmas....I was astonished to find that a flight attendant charged 7 euros for a purchase of £4.00 to a passenger in front of me.. When I asked what rate was given for paying in eruos...she said the machine worked out and it was 1.40 to £. This is clearly not correct and I feel they attentant was not good at maths or there was something 'a miss'. I paid in sterling. Would be grateful for your coments.
Simon, why can you not have one product at net and other at gross as you have both cosmos and avro brands surely this would keep both camps happy?