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#1
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Should I bother with a TA
This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a
legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? Long story but here's the details: We've been using the same TA since 2001. Service has always been excellent. Last year we took 2 cruises and booked a 3rd. The 3rd is where I've seen a noticeable difference. We initially booked on one of the larger cruise ships with RCI and gave the TA the deposit and went on our way. We did all the legwork; picked out the ship, date, room, itinerary and notified the TA that we wanted air with a deviation to go down 2 days early. Piece of cake from a TA point of view I should think. Well a month or so later we changed our minds. We decided on a smaller ship, same date, an extra day, better itinerary and $1000 cheaper - it was a steal so we took it and decided to change. Again, we did all the legwork. We called it in to the TA but she was on vac so we left it with her fill-in and went on our business. Well a couple of days later we noticed that the TA booked the wrong number of people and our credit card was actually refunded. So we called back in, got it straightened out and they re-charged our card. At that time we asked for a full printout of the cruise showing deposit and what was remaining with the date due. We wanted this for our records since the paperwork we had now was outdated due to the change. The fill in TA never sent it (even after 3 or 4 phone calls) so I decided to heck with it, we'll wait for our regular TA (about another 6 weeks) to come back and we'd get it done. So after the TA came back we went in to book a last minute cruise and at the same time relay the story and ask for the printout. Well we took our cruise but the updated printout we wanted never came. My wife did make a couple of phone calls after we came back from our cruise but never did the TA call back. Once she said, "Oh I'm right in the middle of booking a flight for someone. I'll call you right back". The call never came. It was close to Christmas and since the cruise was still a long way off I decided to back burner the thing until after Christmas. I decided two weeks ago to get in touch with the TA and ask what was left for a balance and when was it due. After 2 weeks of 1 eye-to-eye meeting, 3 emails and one phone call I finally got it. End of story you say? Read on . . . . When I looked at the balance it was $1000 too much. So I called back in to see what was going on and was told by our TA that she'd look into and get back to us the next day or at the latest today. Well as I was talking to her, I suddenly realized that the price she quoted was the exact amount quoted on the larger ship that we originally booked but later changed. All she did was yank out the original paperwork without a thought as to what she was actually sending. So I told her what she had done and clarified the error and have yet to hear back with a true balance. So my question is "Why bother?". I could call the cruise line directly and get the exact same price she gets me. We're experienced cruisers and know what we're doing and if all I'm going to get is the run-around for the same price I could get directly from the cruise line, I don't see the point. In this internet age I do all the work to book a cruise, all my TA does is take my money and tell me a bunch of stuff I already know. What do you guys think? Should an experienced cruiser book directly with the cruise line? If the price from the TA is the same price that I can get, what benefit do I get from having a third party? In our case sometimes the TA books with a tour company like Air Canada Vacations so in effect I have a 3rd and 4th party in the mix, all for the same price I could get. |
#2
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Should I bother with a TA
You can handle the booking of your own cruises via the internet or telephone, just like many people book their own airline reservations. You don't need a TA and as you have mentioned, you can rectify any problems with the cruise lines, while a TA screws around and wastes your time. Go for it! JP "mgb" wrote in message ... This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? Long story but here's the details: We've been using the same TA since 2001. Service has always been excellent. Last year we took 2 cruises and booked a 3rd. The 3rd is where I've seen a noticeable difference. We initially booked on one of the larger cruise ships with RCI and gave the TA the deposit and went on our way. We did all the legwork; picked out the ship, date, room, itinerary and notified the TA that we wanted air with a deviation to go down 2 days early. Piece of cake from a TA point of view I should think. Well a month or so later we changed our minds. We decided on a smaller ship, same date, an extra day, better itinerary and $1000 cheaper - it was a steal so we took it and decided to change. Again, we did all the legwork. We called it in to the TA but she was on vac so we left it with her fill-in and went on our business. Well a couple of days later we noticed that the TA booked the wrong number of people and our credit card was actually refunded. So we called back in, got it straightened out and they re-charged our card. At that time we asked for a full printout of the cruise showing deposit and what was remaining with the date due. We wanted this for our records since the paperwork we had now was outdated due to the change. The fill in TA never sent it (even after 3 or 4 phone calls) so I decided to heck with it, we'll wait for our regular TA (about another 6 weeks) to come back and we'd get it done. So after the TA came back we went in to book a last minute cruise and at the same time relay the story and ask for the printout. Well we took our cruise but the updated printout we wanted never came. My wife did make a couple of phone calls after we came back from our cruise but never did the TA call back. Once she said, "Oh I'm right in the middle of booking a flight for someone. I'll call you right back". The call never came. It was close to Christmas and since the cruise was still a long way off I decided to back burner the thing until after Christmas. I decided two weeks ago to get in touch with the TA and ask what was left for a balance and when was it due. After 2 weeks of 1 eye-to-eye meeting, 3 emails and one phone call I finally got it. End of story you say? Read on . . . . When I looked at the balance it was $1000 too much. So I called back in to see what was going on and was told by our TA that she'd look into and get back to us the next day or at the latest today. Well as I was talking to her, I suddenly realized that the price she quoted was the exact amount quoted on the larger ship that we originally booked but later changed. All she did was yank out the original paperwork without a thought as to what she was actually sending. So I told her what she had done and clarified the error and have yet to hear back with a true balance. So my question is "Why bother?". I could call the cruise line directly and get the exact same price she gets me. We're experienced cruisers and know what we're doing and if all I'm going to get is the run-around for the same price I could get directly from the cruise line, I don't see the point. In this internet age I do all the work to book a cruise, all my TA does is take my money and tell me a bunch of stuff I already know. What do you guys think? Should an experienced cruiser book directly with the cruise line? If the price from the TA is the same price that I can get, what benefit do I get from having a third party? In our case sometimes the TA books with a tour company like Air Canada Vacations so in effect I have a 3rd and 4th party in the mix, all for the same price I could get. |
#3
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Should I bother with a TA
On Feb 5, 1:27 pm, mgb wrote:
This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? Really no reason to use a TA, far as I can tell. I used a bricks & mortar TA for my first two cruises, but then realized I was doing all of the legwork, and was more on top of my booking than they were. And, I was able to get significantly better pricing elsewhere. I guess, in the beginning, it's nice to have a face-to-face to walk you through the process, but once you know what's going on, their (the TA's) role becomes less and less important. I've booked with the various travel portals (like Yahoo travel) where you do actually have the option to talk to someone, and I've booked with one online TA that offered absolutely no phone contact, but was very responsive via email. Both worked out just fine. My last few cruises have been with a TA from buycruises.com who works out of her home - but there's always someone available to take a call, if your specific TA is not. So, in all these instances, you're still technically working with a TA to make the booking, it's just not somebody that you're actually seeing in person. For two specialty cruises I've taken, I worked with TAs that specialized in the actual cruiselines I was using - one TA for my Windjammer Barefoot Cruise and one for my Glacier Bay Cruiseline cruise (unfortunately, they're now defunct). Since these were cruises that were different than the everyday, run-of-the-mill mass market cruises, it was infinitely helpful to work with folks that had extensive knowledge specifically about these particular products. But, again, most all contact was made via email, there were a few phone calls, but we never had an in-person meeting. I say go for it - book it yourself. Lee |
#4
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Should I bother with a TA
"LeeNY" wrote in message ups.com... On Feb 5, 1:27 pm, mgb wrote: This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? First, I must admit that I'm the first to bypass a TA and do it all myself...that's just the way I am. I"ve always booked my airlines and hotels myself. I like to have a personal handle on all the details. That said, I did use a TA for our first couple of cruises and they were willing to match the best price I found online. On our second cruise they came in handy...the price went down after booking, so I called the TA and suggested that they change our booking from an inside to an outside (same difference in price as the amount the inside had gone down in price). That way the TA still gets the same % commission and I was able to get a nicer room. It was nice to just call the agent and have them handle all the details of changing the room, etc. The only reason I didn't use her for our third (upcoming) cruise is that she is no longer a TA! Craig |
#5
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Should I bother with a TA
I do my own cruise booking, most TA's are worthless!
"Craig" wrote in message ... "LeeNY" wrote in message ups.com... On Feb 5, 1:27 pm, mgb wrote: This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? First, I must admit that I'm the first to bypass a TA and do it all myself...that's just the way I am. I"ve always booked my airlines and hotels myself. I like to have a personal handle on all the details. That said, I did use a TA for our first couple of cruises and they were willing to match the best price I found online. On our second cruise they came in handy...the price went down after booking, so I called the TA and suggested that they change our booking from an inside to an outside (same difference in price as the amount the inside had gone down in price). That way the TA still gets the same % commission and I was able to get a nicer room. It was nice to just call the agent and have them handle all the details of changing the room, etc. The only reason I didn't use her for our third (upcoming) cruise is that she is no longer a TA! Craig |
#6
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Should I bother with a TA
As always, it depends on the TA. They are there to provide you with
service and a good price. If they don't do that don't use them. However, in some instances where it is possible for a cruise agent to rebate (as in for Carnival, Holland America, Princess or NCL) then you are fool NOT to call a TA and ask them if they can beat the price you are being shown for booking direct. If you don't know what I am talking about, you need to read my article on how to read cruise line ads. The price you see displayed online for all cruise lines except Royal Caribbean and Celebrity can still be rebated, just like the old days. It just has to be done by a travel agent on a one-to-one basis (via phone call or private email). Here is the article: http://cruisemates.com/articles/cons...latpricing.cfm "How to Read Cruise Line Ads". We have another article in the pipeline, too, called "Make the Phonecall" which will be online next week. Basically, understanding all the rules the various cruise lines have about what prices can be displayed in ads and booking engines, and under what conditions they can be discounted is not simple, and there are ways to use a travel agent for service and still get below "direct to consumer" prices, and if you aren't getting that you are using the wrong travel agent. Here is why, a travel agent cannot say in an ad "here is my discounted price," or even "call me for a discounted price" but if you DO call them and ask, then they can say, "here is my discounted price." And for that matter, for RC or CXC they can also still offer you bonuses beyond what the cruiseline will offer you for booking directly; just not a rebate. There are also many instances where a travel can negotiate group prices below what you see in a self-booking engine. So, when it comes to "why should I bother?" that is the wrong question. The right question is "do I have the right travel agent?" Just because you are better than YOUR travel agent it doesn't mean you are better than ALL travel agents. What you need is an agent who does high volume in cruise sales at bare-bones prices, and who is willing to compete on price if you contact them directly. |
#7
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Should I bother with a TA
While this TA is obviously incompetent, I wonder how easy it is to cancel
and change cruises when you book directly? I always have and probably always will book with my TA, George Leppla. I don't see any disadvantage but I do see advantages to using a TA. And like you, I do most of the leg work. But I follow the cruises like a hawk and if anything changes to my advantage (price drop, etc...) I only have to email him and it's taken care of. And he'll also make changes when and if he becomes aware of better offers. Try doing that with a direct booking. And to those who say they better deals not going through a TA, I'd like to know where? Are you talking about the occasional $50 credit on Travelocity or such? IMO, not worth it. -- Greg "mgb" wrote in message ... This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? Long story but here's the details: We've been using the same TA since 2001. Service has always been excellent. Last year we took 2 cruises and booked a 3rd. The 3rd is where I've seen a noticeable difference. We initially booked on one of the larger cruise ships with RCI and gave the TA the deposit and went on our way. We did all the legwork; picked out the ship, date, room, itinerary and notified the TA that we wanted air with a deviation to go down 2 days early. Piece of cake from a TA point of view I should think. Well a month or so later we changed our minds. We decided on a smaller ship, same date, an extra day, better itinerary and $1000 cheaper - it was a steal so we took it and decided to change. Again, we did all the legwork. We called it in to the TA but she was on vac so we left it with her fill-in and went on our business. Well a couple of days later we noticed that the TA booked the wrong number of people and our credit card was actually refunded. So we called back in, got it straightened out and they re-charged our card. At that time we asked for a full printout of the cruise showing deposit and what was remaining with the date due. We wanted this for our records since the paperwork we had now was outdated due to the change. The fill in TA never sent it (even after 3 or 4 phone calls) so I decided to heck with it, we'll wait for our regular TA (about another 6 weeks) to come back and we'd get it done. So after the TA came back we went in to book a last minute cruise and at the same time relay the story and ask for the printout. Well we took our cruise but the updated printout we wanted never came. My wife did make a couple of phone calls after we came back from our cruise but never did the TA call back. Once she said, "Oh I'm right in the middle of booking a flight for someone. I'll call you right back". The call never came. It was close to Christmas and since the cruise was still a long way off I decided to back burner the thing until after Christmas. I decided two weeks ago to get in touch with the TA and ask what was left for a balance and when was it due. After 2 weeks of 1 eye-to-eye meeting, 3 emails and one phone call I finally got it. End of story you say? Read on . . . . When I looked at the balance it was $1000 too much. So I called back in to see what was going on and was told by our TA that she'd look into and get back to us the next day or at the latest today. Well as I was talking to her, I suddenly realized that the price she quoted was the exact amount quoted on the larger ship that we originally booked but later changed. All she did was yank out the original paperwork without a thought as to what she was actually sending. So I told her what she had done and clarified the error and have yet to hear back with a true balance. So my question is "Why bother?". I could call the cruise line directly and get the exact same price she gets me. We're experienced cruisers and know what we're doing and if all I'm going to get is the run-around for the same price I could get directly from the cruise line, I don't see the point. In this internet age I do all the work to book a cruise, all my TA does is take my money and tell me a bunch of stuff I already know. What do you guys think? Should an experienced cruiser book directly with the cruise line? If the price from the TA is the same price that I can get, what benefit do I get from having a third party? In our case sometimes the TA books with a tour company like Air Canada Vacations so in effect I have a 3rd and 4th party in the mix, all for the same price I could get. |
#8
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Should I bother with a TA
As promised, here is the article on why you SHOULD use a travel agent,
and why if your agent cannot beat direct booking prices they are working for themselves more than for you: Direct Booking vs. Agents: The Latest Chapter : http://cruisemates.com/articles/cons...ectoragent.cfm and here is part 2 ( preview for you...) Price Shopping? Pick Up the Phone http://cruisemates.com/articles/cons...upthephone.cfm |
#9
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Should I bother with a TA
cruisemates wrote:
As promised, here is the article on why you SHOULD use a travel agent, and why if your agent cannot beat direct booking prices they are working for themselves more than for you: Direct Booking vs. Agents: The Latest Chapter : http://cruisemates.com/articles/cons...ectoragent.cfm and here is part 2 ( preview for you...) Price Shopping? Pick Up the Phone http://cruisemates.com/articles/cons...upthephone.cfm Thanks very much for the articles - they are very informative. |
#10
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Should I bother with a TA
On 2/5/2007 1:27 PM mgb wrote:
This is not a slight on TA's. They do valuable work but I ask a legitimate question to the group - why should experienced cruisers, people like me, bother? Long story but here's the details: We've been using the same TA since 2001. Service has always been excellent. Last year we took 2 cruises and booked a 3rd. The 3rd is where I've seen a noticeable difference. We initially booked on one of the larger cruise ships with RCI and gave the TA the deposit and went on our way. We did all the legwork; picked out the ship, date, room, itinerary and notified the TA that we wanted air with a deviation to go down 2 days early. Piece of cake from a TA point of view I should think. Well a month or so later we changed our minds. We decided on a smaller ship, same date, an extra day, better itinerary and $1000 cheaper - it was a steal so we took it and decided to change. Again, we did all the legwork. We called it in to the TA but she was on vac so we left it with her fill-in and went on our business. Well a couple of days later we noticed that the TA booked the wrong number of people and our credit card was actually refunded. So we called back in, got it straightened out and they re-charged our card. At that time we asked for a full printout of the cruise showing deposit and what was remaining with the date due. We wanted this for our records since the paperwork we had now was outdated due to the change. The fill in TA never sent it (even after 3 or 4 phone calls) so I decided to heck with it, we'll wait for our regular TA (about another 6 weeks) to come back and we'd get it done. So after the TA came back we went in to book a last minute cruise and at the same time relay the story and ask for the printout. Well we took our cruise but the updated printout we wanted never came. My wife did make a couple of phone calls after we came back from our cruise but never did the TA call back. Once she said, "Oh I'm right in the middle of booking a flight for someone. I'll call you right back". The call never came. It was close to Christmas and since the cruise was still a long way off I decided to back burner the thing until after Christmas. I decided two weeks ago to get in touch with the TA and ask what was left for a balance and when was it due. After 2 weeks of 1 eye-to-eye meeting, 3 emails and one phone call I finally got it. End of story you say? Read on . . . . When I looked at the balance it was $1000 too much. So I called back in to see what was going on and was told by our TA that she'd look into and get back to us the next day or at the latest today. Well as I was talking to her, I suddenly realized that the price she quoted was the exact amount quoted on the larger ship that we originally booked but later changed. All she did was yank out the original paperwork without a thought as to what she was actually sending. So I told her what she had done and clarified the error and have yet to hear back with a true balance. So my question is "Why bother?". I could call the cruise line directly and get the exact same price she gets me. We're experienced cruisers and know what we're doing and if all I'm going to get is the run-around for the same price I could get directly from the cruise line, I don't see the point. In this internet age I do all the work to book a cruise, all my TA does is take my money and tell me a bunch of stuff I already know. What do you guys think? Should an experienced cruiser book directly with the cruise line? If the price from the TA is the same price that I can get, what benefit do I get from having a third party? In our case sometimes the TA books with a tour company like Air Canada Vacations so in effect I have a 3rd and 4th party in the mix, all for the same price I could get. Cancellation / Re-Book within the same tour operator is often easier for a TA to negotiate. They have their business history with that company to use as a bargaining chip. That's something where the average traveler has to throw themselves at the mercy of the given travel company. Group travel - the extended family reunion at see is another area where a TA can simplify things for all in the group. I pulled this up at ASTAnet.com. If your agent doesn't measure up maybe it would be a good idea to get a new one. The following is *long* and does contain a certain degree of salesmanship. Still, there is a good deal of helpful information: *Benefits of Using a Travel Agent* *Save Money!* -- Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservations technology enable travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value. *Traveler Advocates* -- Your best interests are the priority. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. *Convenience* -- The ASTA membership includes travel agents across the country and throughout the world, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements. *Service* -- ASTA member travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools to offer the highest quality of service. *Agents Will Go the Extra Mile* -- Agents work for you and will do everything they can to meet your travel needs. Some agents literally go that extra mile to help their clients. One ASTA-member agent even went to Ethiopia to escort two adopted orphans to the US http://www.astanet.com/about/awards_extramile.asp. » How do you find a good travel agent? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#good » What should be the determining factor in choosing a travel agency? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#factor » What special services do travel agencies offer? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#services » How do I know if my travel agent is consumer-conscious? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#consumer » How do I know if my travel agent is well trained? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#trained » Who uses travel agents? http://www.travelsense.org/tips/whyuseanagent.asp#Who *How do you find a good travel agent? * Choose one like you would a doctor or lawyer. Get advice from friends and relatives who use an agent they trust. Since travel choices are personal decisions that reflect individual desires and lifestyles, you will want to visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs. Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent's willingness to listen and answer questions. /The best agents want to establish a long-term relationship with a client, not just make one sale./ Check out a recent column by consumer travel advocate Ed Perkins for his take on finding a good agent. http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-0601140087jan15,1,6223295.story? *What should be the determining factor in choosing a travel agency?* Your agency should belong to the American Society of Travel Agents, Inc. (ASTA). With over 20,000 members in 140 countries, ASTA is the largest and most influential travel trade association in the world. Membership includes travel agencies, airlines, hotels, railroads, cruise lines, tour operators, car rental companies and travel schools. Through its continuing education and training programs, ASTA prepares its members to operate high-caliber, competitive businesses. Due to the Society's on-going educational programs, comprehensive agent management resources and stringent Code of Ethics, /ASTA travel agents are known as dedicated, hard-working professionals who provide superior service to their customers./ *What special services do travel agencies offer?* As the industry grows more competitive, travel agencies increase the quality and type of services they offer. Agents can arrange all types of domestic and international travel, from hotel and resort accommodations to air and ground transportation, including car rental needs and tour packages. They can provide assistance with insurance protection, passport and visa applications, inoculation procedures and other foreign travel requirements. Many have toll-free phone numbers and offer meeting planning and incentive travel services. Some agents maintain automated individual profiles that include the client's frequent flyer number, airline seating preference, smoking or non-smoking designation and other specifications for a custom-designed trip. /Arrangements can also be tailored to suit business and vacation objectives, personal interests and budget concerns/. Although most provide a wide range of services, some agencies may specialize in areas such as family travel, group travel, adventure travel, ecotourism, the mature market, incentive travel or travel for the disabled. *How do I know if my travel agent is consumer-conscious?* Membership in ASTA is a sign of consumer awareness. The Society works on behalf of its members to support pro-consumer issues. In addition to lobbying for consumer protection on issues like airline bankruptcy and travel safety, ASTA has an active Consumer Affairs Department that monitors travelers' problems and helps to find solutions. /The Society works closely with other travel organizations to continually upgrade service and technology to better serve the traveling public./ *How do I know if my travel agent is well trained?* Ask about your agent's professional background. Many have been trained in business management, travel and tourism or geography. Others have supplemented their agency experience with extensive education and training courses. Some travel agents are Certified Travel Counselors (CTC), having completed an educational program with the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. *Who uses travel agents?* Travel agents are the leading distributors of travel products and services. Travel agents sell: 87% of cruises 81% of all tours and packages 51% of all airline tickets 47% of all hotel stays 45% of all car rentals/ /Source: 2004 Travel Industry Survey/Travel Weekly / Agents are the only unbiased professionals who can sort through nearly 100,000 daily changes in airfares alone/. 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. So, save yourself time, money and frustration. /Call an ASTA Travel Agent - Your Ticket to the World! http://www.travelsense.org/search/agentsearch.asp/ *Who are ASTA travel agents?* ASTA travel agents are knowledgeable professional members of the American Society of Travel Agents [ASTA] --- who uphold a strict code of ethics. The Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools they need to offer you the highest quality of service. ASTA travel agents keep up-to-date by attending industry events that offer educational seminars and networking opportunities. The ASTA membership includes over 20,000 members across the United States and around the world. Most ASTA member agencies offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements. To find the ASTA member agency near you, search the Travel Agent Travel Directory http://www.travelsense.org/search/agentsearch.asp. ASTA's priority is fighting for your best interests. We have a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights. And, should you ever encounter a problem with an ASTA member, our Consumer Affairs Department is here to help you. We want you to have a safe and happy trip. Start by seeing your local ASTA member travel agency. /The following is an open letter from Joseph A. Watters, President of Crystal Cruises to newspaper and magazine travel editors:/ Dear Travel Editor, "Why should I use a travel agent?" As a veteran travel executive, that's a question I'm often asked. Today, with the overwhelming number of sources for travel information (the Internet, cable television, newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.), it's no wonder the consumer is confused. Yet that's precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant are more valuable than ever. In January, the television news magazine, /20/20/, reported the results of a test in which travel agents beat consumers at uncovering the best airfares. However, it is much more than the "lowest fare" that provides the compelling argument for a good travel agent. The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that's right for them. The professional travel consultant builds relationships with their clients to learn their interests and lifestyles, as well as their dispositions. Below is a list of some of the important services, which are either provided free or for a nominal charge, by travel agents: *1. Distilling the product information: *Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert. *2. Investigating and supplying competitive information:* No single supplier is going to advise a consumer that a better route or a better fare is available on a competing carrier. *3. Staying abreast of the most current and timely promotions: *Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions, and their relationships with their district sales managers, agents are obtaining the most current promotional information. *4. Analyzing the current promotions:* The cheapest is not always the best. *5. Clarifying the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions:* Again, the benefits of a professional's experience can save a traveler money . . . and headaches. *6. Making recommendations for travel-related options:* Travel agents share the experience and knowledge they accumulate about a variety of travel topics -- from where to eat, where to shop and what to pack. *7. Simplifying the research and subsequent transaction:* Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays -- with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier. *8. Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities:* Agents can add to the client's experience by sending a bottle of wine, providing a special land package, a specific escort or other customer amenities. *9. Using their clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations:* Whether it's airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer. *10. Getting problems resolved:* The agent serves as the consumer's advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong. The use of outside service providers for many transactions, such as tax preparation, isn't questioned. Similarly, if one is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use a professional. I hope you'll consider sharing this information in future consumer interest columns. Sincerely, JOSEPH A. WATTERS President -- ____ Brian M. Kochera "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!" ____ View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951 |
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