Who we are & what we do
Travel Directions is a travel agency company based in Brisbane Australia. Our main business is organizing travel for clients, in particular for members of our Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club.
International travel makes up the majority of what we do. Flight booking is, of course, a big part of that.
History of FlightChkr.com
The greatest challenge with flight booking for us as travel agents is keeping within the budget created when the trip was priced for the client.
Flight prices fluctuate continuously because of the use of dynamic (demand-based) pricing systems which can cause us significant headaches
For example:
We might price flights for a client a week or two before they agree to proceed, pay their deposit and provide passport (name) details. When it comes time to book the flights, the prices might have increased by 20% or more. We know that lower prices might be possible because we found lower prices previously.
So, we wait until the prices come back into line with the budget. That happens 95% of the time. The 5% is usually premium seats (premium economy and business) which sell out more quickly that economy, and remaining seats are maintained at high minimum prices.
We know from experience that flights will start adjusting 55 to 115 days in advance. But it is time consuming checking those prices regularly.
The development of FlightChkr.com follows the need to have a way of being able to know the following regarding a flight:
- (a) What should the price be?
- (b) Where are we now?
- (c) Should we wait?
The FlightChkr.com system helps us make an informed decision about when to book. Automated price checking is a coming feature.
The challenge for you
When you look at flight prices for a trip, especially international flights, you have no idea whether the price is reasonable or inflated. Unless you regularly book that same flight, you are at a complete disadvantage.
The result, much to the delight of airlines, is high profits because people pay too much for flights through a lack of information.
Your challenge is the same as ours… Knowing what a reasonable price is, and when to book.
Is the current price the lowest it will go? Or should I wait?
The FlightChkr.com system will help you make an informed decision about when to book. It uses a vast amount of historical flight price data along with AI to analyse current prices.
If you do a search and the indicator says the lowest available price is a GOOD DEAL you know that now is the right time to book.
However, if the indicator show that the price is too high, then you can decide on the best course of action. You might have no choice but to book now. But in most cases, you can wait, especially if you are booking at least three months out.
Many people get nervous about waiting to book for fear of not getting seats. Unless you are booking in a peak travel period and/or the number of airlines offering fares is very limited, you will usually have options.
Go onto the websites for your preferred airlines and check the available seating for the most suitable flights. This can usually be done during the booking process before payment, so you can cancel out before going that far.
If there are plenty of seats and you have a few months to go before departure, you have no need for concern. A final decision should be made no later than 30 to 45 days before departure. After this time, airlines move prices up to maximize profits from the less price-sensitive business market.
All the best from the FlightChkr.com team.
Privacy policy
Travel Directions Pty Ltd t/as FlightChkr.com is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au
PERSONAL INFORMATION AND WHY WE COLLECT IT
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.
This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including interviews, correspondence, telephone, email, via our website and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.
When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
- For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
- For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
- With your consent, or where required or authorised by law.
THIRD PARTIES
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.
DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
- Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
- Where required or authorised by law.
SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.
ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
We will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
POLICY UPDATES
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
COMPLAINTS & ENQUIRIES
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at: Administration: admin@flightchkr.com