I want to bring 10 friends to visit Milan and Sardinia, Italy (3nites/8nites=10: LAX, Milan: Malpensa, Cagliari: Elmas) leaving LAX on July 4th evening. What's the best way of a beginner like me of getting a fair group-rate fare? How do I give my friends a fare quote if I'm not yet able to reserve a ticket in their name? I mean, is there a license or something I don't have?
Can anyone with experience in group sales help me out?
Thx,
Luisa
There are group tour operators and travel agents who specialize in group travel and can give a price and reserve spots on flights without having the names to start. You usually have to give them the name list and final payment 45 to 60 days before the trip starts and they run the tickets then.
10 is often the minimum for a group rate, so if it falls below that, expect a boost in the price.
You could also try going to the airlines group desk directly once you have determined what airlines fit your itinerary. But if you deal with a group specialist operator or travel agent, they will be on a first name basis with the airline group desk people.
Getting a travel agent to arrange this would prevent you from having to collect money from your friends and being the object for any complaints they might have.
As a 'beginner', you should give serious thought to using a travel agent.
I did a check of American Airlines and Delta and one only lets you book 6 passengers at once and the other 9. Looks like you need to contact them on how to do 7 or 11 in one booking. Other airlines may have different cutoffs. I checked only those 2.
You have not only the issue of getting to/from Italy from LA, but to/from Sardinia.
I recommend some professional help.
All major airlines have a "group sales" office. You just have to call them, tell them your dates of travel to/from and how many people you have. You definitely don't need a travel agent.
When it comes to travel I’m definitely a DIYourselfer. However, if your responsible for the travel plans for 9 other people you really better know what you’re doing. Your friends will be shelling out a lot of money. Will you be in a position to handle any and all problems that might arise.
I would consider using a travel agent.
Don't forget to verify that all of your friends have a valid passport with six months left on it at the time of travel. That will prevent last minute problems with passport expiration dates.
