Travel Agencies

Old Nov 2nd, 2001, 12:59 PM
  #1  
Shannon
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Travel Agencies

I am planning a trip to the islands and I am not sure which Travel Agency is the best with a good price and is helpful. Any information would be great. Please help!!!!
 
Old Nov 2nd, 2001, 01:04 PM
  #2  
JD
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Which islands might those ne? Hawaiian? Caribbean? other?
Conde Nast traveler magazine did a huge feature on specialized travel agents a couple of months ago.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 05:57 AM
  #3  
agent
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Here are a few tips on finding a good agent:
-ask if they've been there before
-what did they like/dislike
-did they try any activities that you might be interested in
-do they seem to really care, or are they only steering you toward a certain property
-do some homework your self. take home some brochures and read about where you would like to stay.
-give them a budget to work with
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 06:23 AM
  #4  
Rachel
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Bless your heart "agent", I think the advice you give is priceless!!
It makes the job of the agent, and the experience of the client so much more productive when BOTH sides are prepared.
And the budget idea is great, I always ask my client if they have a budget they are working with. Some people have trouble answering that question, I think they feel ashamed if their budget is too small, but please don't. It helps narrow down the possibilites and avoids wasting time.

It's like when you go to a real estate agent, they always ask what price range you are looking for in a house, same thing with a vacation. A good agent will ask!!
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 08:45 AM
  #5  
dying
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IMO, if you are willing to "do your homework" just to visit an agent, you can easily take that homework and book your own trip via the internet. People who use travel agents are generally the sort who don't WANT to do any homework...that's why they want an agent, someone who will do it all for them.

If you truly want to avoid being "steered" to the places and things which are offering the sweetest deals to the travel agent, research and book your own trip.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 09:26 AM
  #6  
agent
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If you research a little and give the agnet an idea of where you want to stay they could usually come up with better bargins than the internet. There are many wholesale companies agents work with in order to get a better deal than you would get on your own. You just need to pick the right agent.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 09:28 AM
  #7  
agent
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If you research a little and give the agnet an idea of where you want to stay they could usually come up with better bargins than the internet. There are many wholesale companies agents work with in order to get a better deal than you would get on your own. You just need to pick the right agent.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 09:45 AM
  #8  
Kay
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Your theory, "agent" was tested by Conde Nast Traveler a couple years ago. They pitted experienced agents versus a computer savvy independent traveller. They were given basic vacations to schedule (specific locations, air, hotel, car etc) and the total expenses were tallied.
The bottom line was that the savvy independent traveller sometimes outdid the agent, sometimes the other way around. There was no clear "winner".
I will concede that of all travellers, probably less than one third are truly computer savvy, though.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 09:49 AM
  #9  
smells
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Didn't think it would take long for some incognito travel agent to claim that they could offer better deals than the internet.

Why is the travel agent industry struggling then? Why are travel agents parked here, plugging themeselves and their industry, on an independent travel site like Fodor's?

Because most travel businesses, including the airlines, have cut out the middleman (and commissions) and allow customers to book directly via the net, often at discounts unavailable anywhere else. Hotels, airlines, you name it, most will offer better deals on the internet. They eliminate not only agency commissions, but labor dollars as well, by allowing customers to book itineraries themselves on the net. And that's a powerful incentive to cut prices.

There have many discussions about this here on Fodor's, including some interesting links to news articles about the tactics the travel agencies are using in the wake of declining customer bases. Shall I top them for you, incognito travel agents? It would be my pleasure.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 10:31 AM
  #10  
xxx
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Im a travel agent and when people call me and tell me what price they can get online ususally I can do better. The only way I cant is if it is a last minute deal. And after what happen on Sept 11 I could not believe the calls we got from people who booked online and could not get a hold of the airlines to change their tickets. But we could not help them because we did not do their tickets. Something to think about.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 10:36 AM
  #11  
Kay
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Geez, talk about bitter?
Sure "smells" was overly aggressive, but no need for such vitriol, Rachel.
But one comment, since you seem to equate 'affluent clients' with those who could care less about finding competitive rates, I'll jump in. We spend over $25K per year on travel (and aren't retired) and we have always booked everything on our own, regardless of continent. I have, at times, offered my business to TA's if they could get me a better deal (didn't tell them I was comparing based on my own research). I've never booked thru an agent.
We often fly international first class, but always get 50% off the fares. We have developed numerous connections and tricks for getting upgrades, perks, etc.
I would bet that fewer than 10% of TA's could consistently save me money over my own efforts.
To conclude that anyone who spends big $$ on travel doesn't care or is financially myopic is very foolish on your part, Rachel. You only see the clients who fit this description. There are plenty of wise travellers out there you have no knowledge of.
Just my .02
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 10:54 AM
  #12  
Cindy
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I don't see how any of this helps Shannon--can't anyone help with her original question? But Shannon, you also need to pipe in and clarify yourself. Are you talking about Hawaii? This forum would be a waste of everyone's time if the OP doesn't look at the responses once in a while and add to
it.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 11:01 AM
  #13  
Rachel
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Kay, I am quite frankly getting sick and tired of these idiots spouting about an industry they no nothing about.
Going to a TA is not always about saving money, and yes we are competitive. I usually check the prices the vendors quote me to Expedia, Travelocity, etc., and I find that my agency often gets better deals on tours and cruises. My clients come to me for personal service, not just to see how many nickels they can save. And my agency often gets free upgrades, perks for our customers. You probably don't know about any of this because you choose to do your own. Most people don't have the time, or desire to try and use "tricks" to get a good value.

I don't know why so many people are so aggressive against TAs, it's almost like it's personal!! Please people, if you choose to book yourself, go for it!!
Just don't call me when you get screwed over by an online company. I agree with "nobody", we had numerous calls from people stuck all over the world after the terrorists' attacks. MY clients were well tended to, and those who booked online were having a hell of a time. We had to say "sorry, but you choose a blinking screen, so go plug in your laptop and just try and find a flight home!"

And Kay, if you spend that much on a vacation (yeah right) then you should consult a professional. I am sure there are many wise travellers out there, I am one of them, but it doesn't have to be one or the other. I like to cook now and then, but I also like to go out to a great restaurant and let a true chef make me an incredible meal.
Life's too short, I don't need tricks to get what I want, I'm willing to pay for quality.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 12:10 PM
  #14  
Kay
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Rachel, you may be a decent travel agent, I really don't know, but your people skills sure aren't too sharp.
I quite clearly stated that we spend over $25K per YEAR on travel, not on a single vacation. And your snippy little comeback of "yeah right" clues me in right away that your clients can't be TOO affluent if that total shocks you. It's easy to spend $5-7K on vacation for two. I have 9 weeks of vacation per year and we travel at least 6 of them. $$ in Paris and London disappear quickly.
You do the math.
Better yet, don't.
Guess I should've let "smells" original comments stand alone.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 01:32 PM
  #15  
Rachel
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Kay, I am not shocked by 25K darlin', but your 9 weeks of vacation a year is an eye-opener. No wonder you have so much time to barter for your trips!!!

You work part-time, most people don't have that luxury. And they will come to me, and I will help them through this maze of a business. Think of me as a guiding light!!
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 01:40 PM
  #16  
xxx
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Rachel-Your 5 minutes are up! BTW, a lot of us do the research and do not stay in 1 star properties!!!
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 02:02 PM
  #17  
ick
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Rachel... May I remind you that you are in a "service" profession. I would like to know what travel agency you work for and if you use that same mouth to speak to your customers. Your big mouth must be that guiding light.
 
Old Nov 5th, 2001, 05:49 PM
  #18  
MMMM
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Rachel, I'm not attacking here, OK?
But think about the big picture here for just a second.

You've come to a website where travellers come learn, on their own, about travel...good places to go, how to save money, etc etc.

By definition, anyone here has more interest in learning about travel than the average person, and is more likely to take active part in his/her own travel planning.

To come here and insult people who try to do their own travel planning is like going to a baseball game and criticizing people there for liking such a 'boring' game. You're not going to be very popular or make a lot of friends.
Make sense?
 
Old Nov 6th, 2001, 12:31 AM
  #19  
lenleigh
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Calm Down People. I take offense to the comments about Travel Agents as I am one as well. Not every travel agent out there is out to screw you over.

I Sell Airline tickets all day long(and i make an hourly wage and have yet to get a commission check).First of all, the majority of people that call me have been checking around for about the the last three weeks(if they have the time).They are pretty aware of what is out there.Secondly, I generally can help people get the info they are looking for much faster than they can. We are talking minutes compared to hours.Third not every agency is going under and(they do not rely completly on the airlines commissions).

I would have to say, there are very few people that can afford even a fraction of 25k a year in travel expenses.I wish that were true because it would make me job so much more enjoyable.Instead I get people calling all day looking for miracles when it comes to fares.

There is a lot that goes on in this industry and many consumers dont know the half of it.Everything is constantly changing and its hard enough for us to keep up with it all.Dont Kill the messanger People.
 
Old Nov 6th, 2001, 05:47 AM
  #20  
Rachel
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Lenleigh:
From one TA to another, thank you for telling them how it is!! I don't know of many other professions that incite this much confusion. I think alot of it stems from jealousy that we get great deals!! I just back from an Alaskan cruise-10nites, everything included, and it only cost me 150.00!!

The public doesn't understand WHY we are invited to join these dream trips, it's because we sell their products. Travel agents are not in the service industry, we are salespeople. I came into this business 4 years ago and I have already been to France, England, Germany, Alaska, Hawaii, and 6 major U.S. cities.

In a few months I will be off again, doing a wine cruise of the Napa Valley. Please people, don't be envious, we only go because it's part of our job. I'm sure you get perks with your jobs as well!! But in order to sell these destinations, we must experience as much as we can.

I don't know why some people take pleasure in seeing other people jobless, I certainly don't cheer when other industries are in trouble. I personally am doing great, and I thank the internet for helping us weed out the clients hunting for just cheap tickets. It helps them and it helps us concentrate on more profitable vacations. Everyone wins!!!
 

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