Why Leading Travel Agents Can Save You Time And Money

By Louise Tidwell

If you're seriously interested in knowing about cruise travel agents, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about travel agents in Philadelphia.

Travel agents usually don't cost you anything directly, but of course most work on a commission basis for airlines, etc., so you might as well use the best. Most travellers are unaware that anyone, particularly in the USA, without a scintilla of training, can pay a modest fee and become a 'travel agent.' So, to be safe, check to see, for example in the USA, if the agent is certified by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) or ARTA (Association of Retail Travel Agents). Airlines have caused an uproar among travel agents with plans to force them to the pay credit-card fees when their customers buy tickets with plastic. The agents say it's an unfair move by United to shift a cost of its business on to their backs. Travel agents are paid by commission on trips they book. If you ask three travel agents to quote packages to Bora Bora and Moorea, complete with sightseeing tours and maybe a layover in Honolulu, you will receive three different package quotes.

ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive conferences (www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com), the ATTA provides professional support, development, education, research, marketing, career building, networking and cost-saving resources to its members. Asking travel agents about their favourites is a delicate question, a bit like asking restaurant chefs where they like to eat out. However, the results for 2009's agents' awards are in, and Canada is the cream of the crop again in the "Summer Destinations" category.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of cruise travel agents. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas concerning travel agents in Philadelphia.

You can talk to friends and family members who have used travel agents in the past. You can also use the internet to try to find the best agency or agent in your area. Also, travel agents receive special discounts and/or deals that a regular consumer is not eligible for. An agent will also make all of your arrangements, so you can spend more time planning your big day and less time stressing about travel details. Much like the rest of the population, travel agents have their uses for complicated journeys, like cruising and safaris, for example. For the average senior, the Internet is the medium of choice for travel planning, much as it is for the rest of the population.

These are discount airline tickets that airline wholesales buy and resell to travel agents at significant discounts. There are more penalties and restrictions associated with consolidator fares and, for that reason alone, your business travel agent may not provide them. The truth is there are many companies who will only deal with travel agents. If you have problems arise, you can be in trouble. Because it works so closely with many monterey properties, travel agents from other agencies will actually call resorts when they can't find a room in the area, or when a desired hotel is sold out. A resort agent will call the property until there's an opening, and split the commission with the other agent.

By talking with hundreds of travellers day in and day out, travel agents tend to have a unique perspective on travel. For example, a travel brochure will never tell you if the beaches tend to get incredibly crowded during the summertime but a disgruntled traveller most certainly will! Good travel agents will always help you in resolving all your problems about cruise vacation, if you are a first timer. They also help you to negotiate with the cruise liner's executive. Putting a face to a name is proven to help build the relationship between travel agents and consumers.

Is there really any information about cruise travel agents that is non-essential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one travel agent in Philadelphia may be crucial to another. - 29868

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