Identify
your needs
Choosing a good travel agent is much the same process as choosing a doctor or lawyer.
Accumulating advice from friends and relatives who use an agent they trust is a good first step to reducing what can be a stressful situation "since travel choices are personal decisions that reflect individual desires and lifestyles," says Amy Gleason, spokeswoman for the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) in Alexandria, Va.
The best agents are those seeking to establish "a long-term relationship with a client, not just to make one sale," she says.
"Ask about your agent's professional background."
These days, consumers making travel plans are faced with an abundance of choices, including the Internet, guide books, newspapers and magazines.
So it helps to choose an agent who belongs to a professional association.
One such as ASTA, for instance, holds its members to a code of ethics and operates an active consumer affairs department that monitors travelers' problems and helps to find solutions.
"Experience, constant industry interaction and computer reservations systems make travel agents the only source savvy enough to engineer a relaxing trip out of the fluctuating complexities of travel offerings," Gleason says.
Jerry Cheske, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association in Heathrow, Fla., agrees that locating a good travel agent "can ease your stress by doing the legwork while still letting you make the decisions."
Cheske suggests seeking an agent accredited by a national training organization, such as the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, which accredits agents as either a certified travel agent or a certified travel counselor.
Regardless of the agent's affiliation, Cheske recommends that the traveler start planning as far in advance as possible.
"Last-minute planning can be costly and stressful," he says. "Getting an early start can help maximize your investment."
It is equally important that the traveler understand what the travel agent can and cannot do. Cheske says travel agents can find the best airline fares, issue tickets, reserve seats and alert the traveler to necessary layover times for changing planes.
The agent can recommend and make tour package, cruise line, car rental and hotel reservations as well as recommend and explain travel insurance.
Further, the agent can provide passport and visa forms, and information on inoculations, as well as alerting the traveler to weather conditions and what to pack.
What travel agents cannot do is "double-book" reservations on more than one airline for flights on the same day, which is considered unethical, Cheske says.
Additionally, agents cannot guarantee a flight will arrive on time, nor can they issue an airline boarding pass.
For ASTA, the concern is that travelers may be losing millions of dollars to phony travel companies that offer but fail to deliver promised fabulous vacations at low prices.
In other words, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Be skeptical, Gleason says. "If you've been offered a great bargain on a cruise or resort vacation, but you can't seem to get all the details about it unless you pay the company, you may be dealing with a travel scam," she adds.
True, you might miss a legitimate deal, but chances are you'll save yourself time and money by avoiding what oftentimes turn out to be scams.
Says the AAA's Cheske, "Consumers should be aware of high-pressure sales tactics requiring an on-the-spot decision."
Overall, he says, when a customer is choosing a travel agent or is concerned about an offer, verification through the local Better Business Bureau or consumer protection office is a good idea.
Gleason says a top-notch travel agent will perform an analysis of the current promotions and frequently spare the customer the grief of buying into a bad offer.
The cheapest is not always the best. On top of that, a good travel agent will "stay abreast of the most current and timely promotions" and in fact may be able to "enhance the trip with value-added benefits and amenities," she says.
Travel agents book 80 percent of all air travel, 30 percent of all hotel reservations and 95 percent of all cruise reservations.
Gleason says a good travel agent not only will book the reservation, but will remain an advocate for travel needs throughout the duration of the trip, the safety net anyone will feel comfortable with when away from home.
Capital District Business Review is a sister publication in Albany, N.Y.
Learn to Choose a Travel Agent
Travel to the ends of the earth
It's easy to shop for your own plane tickets and accommodations online these days, but that doesn't mean travel agents are obsolete. Using the services of a good travel agent can save you time, trouble, and even money--especially if your needs are complicated. And if things don't go exactly as planned during your trip, a good travel agent can often act as your advocate (so you won't have to spend your honeymoon without a hotel room).
Before you begin...
Short trips for one or two people are easy to coordinate on your own. But if you have a complicated itinerary, are traveling in numbers, or have a lot riding on your next trip, it's a good idea to rely on an expert.
Taking the time to choose a reliable travel agent now may save you time in the future. While many travel agents specialize in certain areas (such as Caribbean cruises, Hawaiian vacations, or business travel), others can help you plan for just about any trip under the sun. Once you've found a good travel agent, you'll have a great resource for travel information, and if your agent doesn't specialize in what you need for your next big adventure, he or she can probably refer you to someone who does.
Identify
your needs
A good travel agent will always take your needs into consideration. But while an agent will typically ask questions to elicit this type of information from you (and you should take it as a bad sign if the agent doesn't), you'll also need to do your part by speaking your mind.
By identifying your expectations ahead of time, you'll avoid being steered into a trip that's too extravagant or that otherwise doesn't suit you. Consider the following points (and discuss them with any family members or others involved in the trip) before you talk to an agent:
As soon as you know what you need and about how much it should cost, you're ready to start evaluating travel agents.
Search
for certified agents
Finding certified travel agents can be as simple as looking under "travel agencies" in a phone book or asking a friend for a referral. But regardless of how you find a travel agent, you should check out his or her qualifications and areas of specialty before you start making plans.
While there are good travel agents who don't have formal training or certification, it's in your best interest to seek out those who do belong to reputable trade associations and carry credentials. Their credentials establish that they have experience working in the travel industry and are trained in sound business practices.
In most countries, the travel industry is largely self-regulated, so there are a number of professional trade associations (some reputable, some not so reputable) that register members. There are also vocational schools and programs that train and certify agents.
The most prominent travel associations in the United States are the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA). Type the full name of one of these into an Internet search engine to find its website, or enter "travel association" (plus the name of your country) to search for others.
Any travel association will be happy to refer you to member agents in your area. Keep in mind, though, that while you can make complaints to these associations regarding their members, choosing a registered member is a safeguard--not a guarantee--against fraud or negligence.
If you look for travel agents in a phone book or find ads in travel magazines or online, you'll probably notice abbreviations such as CTA, CTC, or CLIA. These specific ones are all good signs.
Note: If you have a dispute with a travel agent in the United States, the Better Business Bureau may be able to help. Check the business pages in a phone book, or use a search engine to find their website.
Ask
the right questions
Once you've narrowed your choices, call around to ask questions. You should ask most of these questions in person, too, when you meet with those agents who seem to offer what you're looking for.
What type of travel do you specialize in? Has the agent received special training or certification for coordinating business trips, honeymoons, or travel to a particular destination?
Can I reach you 24 hours a day? If you plan to rely on your travel agent for assistance when things go wrong, will you be able to get in touch? Does the agent work seven days a week, carry a pager, or check voicemail messages frequently? You might get stuck rearranging all your own plans if your tour bus takes off without you and you can't reach your agent.
Have you been where I want to go? Many travel agents take trips to familiarize themselves with the locations they specialize in. After traveling and staying there themselves, they can tell you what to expect, what to see and do during your stay, and what to watch out for.
Which services do you charge for and how much will they cost? How much commission will the agent charge you for booking airplane, train, or cruise tickets, or reserving a rental car? Which services (if any) are free of charge? Will there be any processing fees or other additional fees? Don't be surprised by your bill.
Meet
with agents
Shopping for travel arrangements is a lot like shopping for a car; if you're too eager to jump on a deal right away, it's easy to leave common sense at the doorstep. When you do meet with travel agents in person, don't feel obligated to purchase anything. Yes, their time is valuable, but until they've earned your business, all you owe them is common courtesy.
Schedule an appointment to meet with an agent if you have a lot of questions, or stop by when the agent isn't swamped with other customers (call first to make sure the agent is free). If the agent still doesn't take the time to answer all your questions, consider that a bad sign and politely excuse yourself.
As you start to discuss travel options with an agent you like, keep these guidelines in mind:
Finding a good travel agent might sound a little complicated at first, but it could simplify your life tremendously. Letting a qualified professional take over should help your next business trip run like clockwork or make your next vacation even more exciting or relaxing.
-end-
TRAVEL AGENTS ADD VALUE by Celebrity Cruise Lines
Having spent many years in the cruise industry, I've had the good fortune of seeing our industry evolve and grow to a degree that has probably exceeded the expectations of even the most optimistic visionaries of a few decades ago. But amidst the many changes, there has been one constant: the vital role that travel agents play in our business.
Much like a realtor provides in-depth knowledge and guidance in helping individual home buyers find the ideal residence, a travel agent has the keen ability to work with our guests to evaluate their vacation preferences and identify the cruise best suited to them.
Based on a quick review of your individual needs and preferences for a cruise vacation, a travel agent can provide invaluable insight on everything from shipboard cuisine, to special services, to the most enticing destinations, and can offer a wealth of useful pre-cruise tips to make your vacation the carefree experience it should be.
A travel agent also can assist you in evaluating the value of various vacation options, by weighing a number of factors, beyond just price. But perhaps most importantly, you'll have the advice of a professional whose career is focused upon ensuring that the vacation you select is the best fit with the way you want to spend your rare leisure time. If you choose to reserve your Celebrity Cruises vacation through a travel agent, you also can rest assured that you will never pay more than you would if you made your reservation in any other manner.
To find a travel agent near you, just click "Find a Travel Agent" - and prepare yourself for the vacation of a lifetime!
Best regards,
Richard E. Sasso
President
Celebrity Cruises
How to Choose the Right Travel Agent
HOW TO FIND A TRAVEL AGENT
Finding the right travel agent is important. But, where do you begin?
You're over a big hurdle if you know where you what to travel. If you have no clear destination, you need to determine what you expect from your holiday. Do you like lying around the pool or is exploring archaeological sites more your style? Are you after a relaxing holiday or an invigorating adventure? Do you like water sports or city excitement, historical castles and ruins or quaint village streets? Can you get by with the bare essentials or are modern amenities a priority. Ask yourself these questions before you walk through those travel agency doors.
When you are ready, make some calls to agencies in your neighborhood. You can get a good feel for the agents just by talking to them on the telephone. Is he or she in a hurry? Many agents want you to leave your telephone number so they can call you back. Sometimes they really are busy. At other times, it is a way for them to know if you are serious about your holiday plans. Make an appointment when you feel comfortable that the agent understands and is able to meet your needs.
Some agencies specialize in senior tours, some specialize in cruises, some specialize in group tours and incentive conventions, and some ... well, you get the picture, the list is endless. These agencies have many more options available because they deal with exclusive itineraries. They are particularly useful if you are keen on a certain type of holiday such as cruising and want to familiarize yourself with every possible type of water excursion from barging, to sailing, to yachting. They also occasionally have a better deal because of the volume of bookings they do with tour planners.
Other agencies have something for everyone and can still offer you the perfect cruise. Ask about shore options, price options, days at sea, age of passengers, size of ships, and ports of call. For bus excursions, inquire about length of stopovers, lists of attractions, miles traveled per day, rating of accommodations, meals that are included, and extras that are not covered in the fare. Read the brochures thoroughly when you find a holiday package you like, including the terms and conditions regarding such important details as cancellation insurance and liability claims.
Prepackaged holidays are usually the best bargains, particularly when still available close to the departure date. Prepackaged holidays can also offer additional options. These options usually deal with accommodations. A good travel agent will look for the best rate on all packages and offer you a variety of options. Your budget will determine whether you choose a three, four, or a five star hotel. Is money no object or is low the only way you can go? Will you sacrifice on your food allowance and pay a little more for your hotel room? Do you want a prepackaged holiday that includes air and accommodations or do you want to book air and rooms separately?
Preferably, the agent or someone in the office will have actually traveled to the proposed destination. Resort and tour planners offer familiarization trips for that very reason. However, this is not always possible. Therefore, you will need to rely on his or her knowledge and professionalism. Since most vacation disasters happen because the visitor is disappointed with the accommodation, it is the agent's responsibility to prepare the client for any potential misunderstandings. For example, a 4-star resort in a tropical destination might not be comparable to a 4-star hotel in America.
Mishaps such as over-booking, lost reservations and delayed flights cannot always be avoided. However, qualified agents should be constantly updating themselves on the reputation of various destinations from their previous clients, and the tour planners who put the packages together.
You should also keep in mind that if you know where you want to go and where you want to stay, you don't technically have to enlist the services of a travel agent. You can call the airline to book your flight and you can call the hotel to book accommodations. Just be sure to get confirmation numbers from both. Most airlines and hotels have toll-free numbers which you can obtain by calling 1-800-555-1212.
If you would rather place your travel needs in the hands of qualified professionals, a good travel agent will provide you with insight that could be to your advantage. They attend trade shows and go on familiarization trips regularly. They read through the mountains of printed material that comes their way almost daily. They have knowledge about new and upcoming holiday packages, flight plans, hotels, and vacation destinations. In other words, a good agent is well informed.
• Don't accept "free"
trips for which you have to pay any fee.
• Buy travel from a local travel agent that is a member of the ARC,
Airline Reporting Corp., or IATAN, the International Air Transport Association
Network.
• Pay for travel only on a credit card. You'll be able to get a refund if
the company goes out of business.
• There's a big difference among travel agents in their outlooks and
specialties. Choose one who's good at the trips you take most often.
• If price is your main consideration, it's especially important to
choose a travel agent who will take a few minutes to help you and offer you
different options.
• Never call an airline directly to buy tickets. Many try to sell the
traveler the most expensive ticket the traveler will buy.
• Many travel agents now charge a modest fee for their services, but the
fee is worth paying.
• When you buy a cruise, use a travel agent who specializes in cruises.