HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL AGENT

1. CHOOSE A AGENCY THAT HAS A BUILDING AND A OFFICE YOU GET PHYSICALLY GO TO

When traveling for business or pleasure searching the web is not always a time saver or a money saver due to hidden fees. The amount of internet sites have doubled and the rules and policies change daily.

2. CHOOSE AN AGENCY YOU CAN BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH

The agency will know your likes, dislikes, seating arrangement and other details about the traveler. Travelers lose out on great deals because they don’t know the inside information that great travel agents possess.

Certified travel professionals have an edge over the digital world. They work for you to ensure you’ve got the best deal and back up their bookings with personal service that can’t be achieved when booking online by yourself.

3. CHOOSE A FULL SERVICE AGENCY

Travel agents are professionals who know every trick in the book when it comes to ensuring a trip will go smoothly. For a fee, these agents will plan every aspect of your trip, leaving it up to you only to relax. Best of all, if something goes wrong your agent will be a phone call away with a fix.

What To Know

Certified Travel Professional

Eleven states require travel agents to be state-licensed. Many of these states only require the agency to have a license and pay a fee. These stipulations offer no real protection for travelers. There are some other ways you can discover if a travel agent is not certified , does not have the knowledge or if they are honest. First of all, find out if the agency is a member of the(ASTA) American Society of Travel Agents or the Association of (ARTA) Retail Travel Agents. Then, ask if the agent is a member of a travel consortium. Members of a consortium have strong negotiating power and will often have access to better travel deals.

Contact And Availability

Of course, a travel agency should have emergency contact information that is good 24-hours a day, seven days a week.Agency member will have a 24 hour number or simply give you the agent cell phone numbers. If you plan on traveling internationally, choose an agency that allows you to contact them if problems arise.

It is usually best to work with only one agency . Once you are in the system all agents in the office can help you at any time

Specialized Travel

All agents have specialized expertees. Anyone traveling overseas should have up-to-theminute information about political conditions. Good agents provide their clients with such information. Many specialized vacations require specific knowledge and reputable vendors. Good travel agents will provide plenty of options. They will also have information about travel warnings from the U.S. State Department.

Cruise passengers can also receive great deals when using a travel agent.

Select A Travel Agent That Has Control Of Your Travel Records

At home agencies: Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, Travelocity, Orbits are what you can call point and click groups and one one specifically owns your travel records.

If you call with a problem or to make changes they will refer you to the airline or the hotel booked but you gave your money to them.

Travel agencies own your records and work for you to make changes, upgrades and corrections. You only make one call to the agency and they take care of the rest.

Casa Blanca Travel Agency wants you to have the best trip possible, we recommend always checking with us 24-48 hours prior to any trip to verify itinerary changes that may have occurred. We have many other perks that we offer the traveler.

But no matter what kind of travel you are doing, a skilled travel agent will have access to information about safety standards and industry reputations. They can help you steer clear of fraudulent vendors and scams.

Whether you are planning a relaxing vacation or an adventurous escape, your time away can be an amazing experience. Talented travel agents can provide needed guidance and support. They will take care of the details so you can kick back and enjoy your time away.

IF SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT IS USUALLY NOT TRUE.

Travel credit card fraud by far is the largest. Choose an agency that is bonded and has letters of credit at a bank or holding companies.

The Cruise Industry Has Gone Automated

Since covid the cruise industry is trying to get passengers to complete what the Travel agent was completing in the past. They have quickly forgotten that passengers don’t know the language of the cruise lines.

Feel Safe

Call Casa Blanca Great Escapes travel for more information. Advice is always free 254-526-5555 or