Online doesn't necessarily mean "better deal."

While the Internet has made it possible for consumers to research travel information online, AAA remains concerned that travelers do not necessarily have easy access to the lowest fares without checking a number of different sources. In addition, with more people using the Internet, travel agencies are at a competitive disadvantage to online reservation systems. As a result, consumers are losing an unbiased source of travel information and services.

An August 2002 survey confirms this. Of more than 1,000 people polled, 8 out of 10 felt they should be able to get the same deals via phone or travel agents as some airlines make available only on the Internet. The poll was conducted by Opinion Research Corp. of randomly selected U.S. adults.

AAA has forwarded the results to the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. Congress established the commission to examine the travel agency industry and determine if there are impediments to information regarding products and services offered by airlines.

Some 46 percent of Americans do not use the Internet. To ensure that travel agents remain an independent source of comparative price and service information for consumers, AAA recommends the following:

• Equal access to airline inventory and pricing, regardless of distribution channel.
• A ticket-processing fee included on all standard traffic documents that requires unanimous consent of all International Air Travel Association members.
• Continued U.S. Department of Transportation vigilance in investigating airline distribution practices to protect consumers.

AAA Travel Services
AAA offers a variety of travel agency services and exclusive AAA member discounts on travel packages. Contact your local AAA club for more information.