Centrav Inc

Based in Burnsville, Minnesota, Centrav Inc. has operated since 1988 not as a conventional travel agency for the public, but as a dedicated air consolidator for travel professionals. This business-to-business model means Centrav works exclusively with travel advisors, providing them with a platform to source and book airfare for their clients. For decades, it has been a significant player in the travel industry supplier landscape, offering access to fares that are often unavailable to the general public. The company's longevity speaks to a sustained presence in the market, but a closer look at its services and user feedback reveals a mix of strong advantages and notable drawbacks that potential agency partners should consider.

The Core Offering: Fares and Technology

The primary appeal of Centrav for any travel advisor is its access to a wide range of airfares, particularly for international flights. As an air consolidator, Centrav negotiates with airlines to acquire seats at special, discounted net rates, which it then offers to agents. This arrangement allows advisors to add their own markup or service fee, giving them direct control over their commission and the ability to offer competitive pricing to their clients. Many agents find they can secure better deals through Centrav than what is publicly available, reinforcing their value proposition to the end traveler.

A frequently praised aspect of Centrav is its online booking engine. Multiple travel advisors have described the website as user-friendly, powerful, and easy to navigate. For busy agents, an efficient and intuitive platform is critical. The ability to quickly search complex multi-stop itineraries, compare various fare types (consolidator, published, etc.), and manage bookings online saves significant time. The system is designed to streamline the process of booking airfare, a task that can be notoriously complex without access to a GDS. Centrav effectively bridges this gap for many independent agents. Furthermore, the company offers 24/7 access to its online portal, allowing agents to work on their own schedule, though direct staff support is limited to standard business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Strengths and Positive Experiences

Beyond competitive fares and a solid booking platform, Centrav has earned a reputation for reliability in certain areas. Several long-term users have expressed continued loyalty, citing it as their go-to resource for client flights. One notable area of commendation arose during the travel disruptions of 2020, where the company was lauded for its efficiency in helping agents process refunds for canceled flights, a critical support function during a chaotic period. This highlights a capacity for managing large-scale operational challenges effectively.

The company also offers specialized services that add to its appeal. The groups department, for instance, receives specific praise for its helpfulness in arranging group travel booking for ten or more passengers. This is a valuable resource for agents handling family reunions, corporate trips, or special interest tours. The fact that specific employees are mentioned by name in positive reviews suggests that when an agent connects with the right person, the service can be exceptional. These positive interactions often result in agents feeling like heroes to their clients by saving them money and securing desirable itineraries.

The Critical Counterpoint: Inconsistent Customer Service

Despite its many strengths, a significant and recurring criticism leveled against Centrav involves the quality and consistency of its customer service. While some agents report fantastic support, a notable number of others describe deeply frustrating experiences. The most pointed critiques focus on the attitude of phone support staff, with some agents recounting interactions where they were met with irritation, impatience, and a general lack of willingness to help. In one detailed account, an agent was incorrectly told that requested flights for a complex itinerary change were unavailable, forcing the agent to do the extra work of screenshotting the valid flights to prove their existence before the change was processed—all without an apology or acknowledgment of the error.

This inconsistency is a major concern. For a travel advisor, their reputation is on the line with every client booking. Relying on a supplier whose support can be abrasive or unhelpful introduces a significant business risk. When problems arise—as they inevitably do in travel—agents need a dependable partner to help resolve issues, not create more work or stress. The sentiment that some Centrav employees seem "bitter and unhappy" has led some agents to seek out competitors who they feel foster a more positive and helpful culture. Even reviews that are generally positive sometimes mention experiencing "a couple of bumps in the road" with support, suggesting that the problem is not isolated to a few disgruntled users but is a more systemic issue of inconsistency.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

For a travel advisor considering Centrav, the decision requires balancing its clear benefits against its potential pitfalls. The company is an established flight consolidator USA with a proven track record, a user-friendly website, and access to valuable commissionable fares, especially on international routes. For an agent who is tech-savvy and can handle most bookings without needing to call for assistance, Centrav can be a powerful and profitable tool.

However, for those who handle more complex itineraries requiring frequent manual changes, or for agents who simply value responsive and pleasant human interaction when support is needed, the gamble on customer service quality is a serious consideration. The operational efficiency of its online platform is a strong asset, but the reported variability in its human support element remains its most significant liability. Ultimately, Centrav presents itself as a valuable resource for travel agent services, but one that should be approached with a clear understanding of its dual nature: technologically proficient but service-wise inconsistent.