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Insurer Outrage: The Travel Agent Is Dead!

Mar 08, 2010
By: George Dooley
TravelAgentCentral
1.357145

Update

If you're reading this, then you are likely a travel agent and most certainly alive, right? Then read on with caution as iTrek travel insurance, an Australian firm, is starting an 'exciting' new film competition certain to outrage American travel agents. The topic is "The Travel Agent Is Dead" and 10 finalists will be invited to attend the showing of all films in Sydney.

“We believe that the travel agents days are well and truly numbered," iTrek says. "A large percentage of their margins are made by 'bolting on' travel insurance products to customer's flight bookings. Some travel agents have been known to make margins of up to 50 percent on Travel Insurance policies. The time has come for the public to see that there is an alternative. By going online and taking your travel agent out of the equation completely. This 'alternative' could save you up to 50 percent on the costs.”

The company’s promotion can be seen online at www.itrektravelinsurance.com.au/tv/welcome.html.

“More and more people are going online to purchase their flights, hotel accommodation and now, their travel insurance too,” iTrek says. “The travel agent is dead.”

iTrek reports it is an agent of and underwritten by Chartis, American International Group.

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Comments 1-10 of 14

Linda (MARCH 19, 2010)

Have you read the snide remarks on the comptetion's web site in response to the cancellation of the competition? They are very hostile towards travel agents. Click on the competition web site and see.
Jake (MARCH 18, 2010)

This promotion was ended lat week at the behest of Travel Guard. They care more about travel agents than any of you think.
rk group travel (MARCH 12, 2010)

I have started notifying my clients exactly what AIG is doing and why. I have told them I sell travel insurance for their benefit and that I have checked coverages and prices of three different companies for their travel. I now check only two and suggest they seriously consider any other AIG products and services that they may be using. It is time for this company to come to the realization that they are not "to big to fail". The American consumer is not as naive as this company thinks.
Trudy Richardson (MARCH 10, 2010)

To AIG I have only one thing to say. Travel Agents are part of the taxpaying public that saved your ass..Now your thank you is to stab us in the back. You have made your stand now we will make ours. We are a valuable asset to you and any seller of travel because we try to teach people the right way to travel. We are stronger than you think and I (an I think many others will follow) will do everything possible to see that sales of AIG related insurance grind to a stop. Sell to the public..you have already proved you are fools..do you not have sense enough to know we are the ones who have been educating that public as to why they should spend extra money for travel insurance. Fools, the average American think they are steel plated and nothing will ever happen to them and if it does they can take care of it..they have not a clue unless they have been educated. Go ahead jump out of the frying pan into the fire..I will be the first one there to turn up the heat.
CPatchell (MARCH 10, 2010)

Speaking as a professional TA, I sincerely hope that "Tony" will exit this profession as soon as possible since he sees no future ahead of him and leave his poor clients to someone else! My total clientele has risen and existing customers have increased my involvement in their travel plans over the last two years precisely because they want a professional looking out for them, ensuring they can avoid the pitfalls and no-win situations awaiting the novice booking via the internet. More than ever before, the axiom "you get what you pay for" is true. I see a professional when I need services outside my areas of expertise. Why wouldn't people committing serious resources of time and money to travel want a professional utilizing their training and experience on their behalf? iTrek certainly isn't going to be the advocate for a customer when something goes amiss, ie no reservation record when you arrive at midnight on the other side of the world.
Linda (MARCH 09, 2010)

I assume the winners will be booking their own trips to Australia?
Sarah (MARCH 09, 2010)

I refused to sell AIG Travel Guard when they tried to "buy" my business. It irritated me to no end that they were offering exorbitant commissions to agents when they and more specifically their underwriter were bailed out by the taxpayers. I know they have nice people working with them, but I'll never, ever deal with an underhanded company like that. My clients are too important to me.
leeann (MARCH 09, 2010)

there will always be a place for us. Thats why we have people sitting in our office waiting for a travel agent to help them throuhg the mase of information
Jane (MARCH 09, 2010)

Good ole AIG strikes again. Please remind me why, exactly, why did we (tax paying travel agents)get stuck with bailing them out? They had better get another game plan!
Bob Malmberg (MARCH 09, 2010)

The experienced consumer understands that there is more at risk in his travel arrangements than he is willing to absorb. A travel agent is entrusted not only with the finances involved with travel (which can always be refunded one way or another) but with his time that once spent is gone forever. In risk management the first lesson is to assign the risk. The travel agent is far from dead and is very much alive.

Comments 1-10 of 14

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