What mechanisms are in place for online travel agents access very cheap airline tickets? [duplicate]

I have recently booked an almost last minute flight within Europe.

I got prices, for the absolute same flight, that range from under 30€ to more than 200€. Variations of ~30€ are kind of normal but this is extreme.

Looking at the company website I got prices over 200€. When I looked in skyscanner I found a whole myriad of prices. Being cheap ones through online travel agencies where you book and wait for confirmation.

How is this possible? What mechanisms are in place for them to access these cheap tickets? Is the delivery delay related?

Best Answer

The purpose of airlines is to make money for their owners/stockholders. Part of that is asking the highest price the market will bear (a slight simplification, of course). Markets differ from country to country.

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Do travel agents have access to cheaper flights?

While you may be able to find cheap airfares by yourselves, booking flights using the services of a travel agent will prove to be a lot more cost effective. So how do travel agents book flights at cheaper rates than you? They are able to do this because they have access to airline fares that ordinary travelers don't.

What are the key factors that influence the price of a flight ticket?

Top Factors That Determine Flight Ticket Prices

Factors that determine flight ticket prices.
Distance. Primarily, distance plays a pivotal role in determining the flight ticket prices. ...
Peak season. ...
Flight timing. ...
Flight travel type. ...
Competition with other players.

How can you get cheap airline tickets?

Fly Cheap: Top 10 Tricks to Book Cheap Flight Tickets

Start early: Image Source: ...

Be flexible with the date: Image Source: ...

Use and compare multiple search engines: Image Source: ...

Try budget airlines: ...

Go incognito: ...

Look for frequent flyer miles and points: ...

Use alternative routes: ...

Search the price for a single person:

What is the advantage of booking through a travel agent?

Travel agents simplify the travel planning process by booking flights, cruises, rental cars and hotels, as well as resort stays and events. They offer vacation and accommodation suggestions based on their experience and research as well as work within a set monetary budget if desired.

HOW TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS - My Best Tips After Booking 500+ Flights

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