How The Heck Do You Find a Good Travel Agent???
 

I have monitored cruise websites & travel websites & know what we DON'T want, but don't know what we WANT. I realize there are a great many issues to consider in traveling, & would like to find a knowledgeable TA. Most people I've talked to don't use TA's, but book on line, so no local recommendations. We live in Orange County CA (Southern CA. I've tried AAA (Auto Club) but their TA's don't know as much as I do. So what do I do???

Become a travel agent. I did.

Have you tried www.affordabletours.com?
800 935-2620

What sort of services do you want from a TA? If just booking hotels, cars, flights - just about any agent can handle it. But if you expect them to know all the little details about cities, festivals, neighborhoods, ground transport options, etc -- most TAs won't know. That is not a criticism - just a reality since there are thousands of destinations and no single TA can know more than a few of them.

I use a TA when I have a complicated flight itinerary - but otherwise i'll know as much or more about my destinations.

Wendy Perrin of Conde Nast Traveler did a list of the 100 best travel agents with areas of specialities identified. Should be in their archives. Travel agents have specialities (Europe, cruise, etc) pick accordingly.

I think if you already know what you DON'T want then you actually DO know what you DO want..it's what's left over from the "don't want" pile.

I agree with Janis...and I knwo the feeling about "knowing more" than the TA does about some aspects of things.

BTW..where do you want to go or is that part of the don't want pile?

Agree that any TA can bookk things that you pick out. If you want a TA that is an expert in a specific area or type of travel that can give you complete info, insider tips and specialupgrades etc - you need to go to one of the top agents (and pay them accordingly).

Both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure have list of top agents and the areas they specialize in.

If you head to the local chain TA all they can do is book what you pick out of a borchure - since you've probably traveled than most of them have (their salary is about the same as counter kids at MickeyD's - so - you get what you pay for).

My own TA hasn't done a lot of traveling herself, but she has worked with me for years on my more difficult reservations (I often book flights and hotels and cars on line without her). She knows me from years of helping me, and she remembers what I've told her and had her book in the past. She has sort of learned by osmosis, and she will ask me questions about places I've visited if she has clients who are trying a new destination. My TA usually does a good job for me, and I don't have problems with her. But it has taken a lot of years.

You can't go wrong with a Virtuoso agency.
http://www.virtuoso.com/us/
Cream of the crop!

I can share a great TA I found right here on these boards. He works for cruise agency but sells also vacation packages and hotels. If there is anything he doesn't know, he'll find it out for you. Email is [email protected], his name is Alex.