| When you work with a travel agency to plan your | | | | If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort or going |
| vacation, you can save time, stress and money. The | | | | on a cruise, for example, you’ll need to tell your |
| travel agency takes care of all the details in planning | | | | travel agent if you have any special dietary |
| and finalizing your vacation, leaving you with more | | | | requirements. This isn’t information your agent |
| time to pack and dream about your trip. | | | | will ask, so you must make sure the agent knows so |
| Of course, there is still a little footwork for you to | | | | they can inform your hotel or cruise ship about your |
| do. Follow these guidelines to get a better | | | | needs. |
| understanding of travel agency services. Find out | | | | This is also a good time to let your agent know if |
| how to choose a travel agent that’s right for | | | | you or any member of your travel party has a |
| you, which questions to ask, and how to get the | | | | disability that will require special arrangements. If |
| most out of working with a travel agency. | | | | you’re traveling with someone who uses a |
| Choose a Travel Agency | | | | wheelchair or another mobility aid, he or she might |
| The first step, of course, is choosing the right | | | | have special requirements at the hotel. And again, if |
| agency, and the right agent. It’s important to | | | | your travel agent knows this in advance, he or she |
| choose a reputable agency, but remember that there | | | | will be able to ensure that this person has everything |
| is no accreditation for the travel industry. It’s | | | | they need to be comfortable throughout the |
| best to choose a well established agency that’s | | | | vacation. Remember, it’s important to spend |
| been in the business for a number of years. It might | | | | time with your travel agent. He or she will need to |
| be tempting to choose a new agency that’s | | | | know all about your needs and wants to plan your |
| offering cheap deals, but it’s easy to get burned | | | | perfect vacation. |
| when you work with a company that doesn’t | | | | Budgets and Discounts |
| have a good reputation, or hasn’t been in | | | | If you have planned to spend a specific amount of |
| business long enough to develop one. | | | | money on your vacation, and don’t want to |
| Questions to Ask a Travel Agency | | | | exceed your budget, make sure your travel agent |
| Next you’ll want to ask some questions to make | | | | knows about this in advance. That way he or she will |
| sure the agent is a good fit for you. Make sure you | | | | be able to zero in on travel deals within your price |
| choose an agent who is familiar with your destination | | | | range, instead of looking at accommodations or |
| and your preferred method of travel. Ideally, he or | | | | flights you can’t afford. |
| she should have knowledge and experience with the | | | | Ask your travel agent about discounts and free |
| location itself as well as travel details. You’re | | | | upgrades, too. Are you planning to take an all-inclusive |
| more likely to get a great deal with someone | | | | tour or cruise, for example? If you’re traveling |
| who’s been in the business longer, as he or she | | | | alone, you might be able to get a better deal if you |
| will have more industry contacts. | | | | agree to share a double room with another solo |
| The right agent will never be at a loss for information | | | | traveler. It’s cheaper to split the cost of a |
| or resources. So feel free to ask as many questions | | | | double room than it is to pay for a single, so this can |
| as you need to feel comfortable. If you’ve | | | | be a great way to save money. |
| chosen a good agent, then he or she will have a | | | | Remaining Flexible when Working with a Travel |
| wealth of knowledge about the industry and about | | | | Agency |
| your vacation destination. | | | | If you can afford to be flexible about your travel |
| Finally, it’s important to ask your agent about all | | | | dates, you can save some money on your flights. So |
| the little details. Will the agent book your rental car | | | | let your travel agent know if there’s some |
| and activities in addition to flights and | | | | wiggle room in your itinerary. Your agent then has |
| accommodations, for example? Don’t make any | | | | more leeway to find you cheaper flights, giving you |
| assumptions about what your agent does and | | | | extra cash to spend at your travel destination. |
| doesn’t cover; it’s always important to find | | | | If you choose your agency carefully, ask the right |
| out for sure. | | | | questions, seek out discounts and stay flexible, your |
| Things to Tell your Travel Agent | | | | travel agency experience, and your vacation, is sure |
| You’ll have to provide your own information too. | | | | to be a success. |