The following is a selection of questions that I am asked quite frequently:
1) Why should I think about using a Travel
Specialist (Travel Agent)?
There are actually 10 good reasons
why you should use a Travel Specialist.
1)
Knowledge: We
know the products that we sell! Since your satisfaction is our top priority, we
can be your personal travel consultants to ensure that you benefit from our
knowledge & experience.
2)
Convenience: One
stop shop! You can contact us, tell us what you are dreaming of, & then
carry on with your life. We do all the work, & you get to go on the trip of
your dreams.
3)
Service, Service, Service: You
are more to us than a booking number, or another voice on the other end of the
phone. We get to know you so that we can match you up with the trip you have
been dreaming of.
4)
Competitiveness: We
can match, & most times beat, the prices that you can find online. Better
yet, we can offer so much more than the .com travel companies, or the 1-800
number people, who only know what the computer screen tells them 8000 miles
away.
5)
Economics: We
are your neighbors! We shop where you shop, we support the business that you
support (or own), & our kids go to the same schools. The money you spend
with us stays here. It doesn’t go into building a 25-story building in some far
off downtown area that doesn’t benefit us.
6)
Advocacy: We
will go to bat for you! If something didn’t work out the way you dreamed it
would, let us know & we can try to make it right for you. Your satisfaction
is our top priority.
7)
Value: In today's economy we have the
knowledge to ensure that you are getting the most for your money.
8)
Peace of Mind: Relax!
Let the professional handle it. We will ensure that all travel arrangements are
in order.
9) Trip
Counseling: Our
knowledge allows us to make sound recommendations, usually based on firsthand
experience.
10)
Emergency Contact: In
the unlikely event that something bad happens, wouldn’t it be nice to know that
you had someone that you could call to get you out of that snow storm in
Denver, or rebook your trip from Mexico to the Caribbean as a hurricane is
about to hit, or to be that lifeline out when needed.
2) Can’t I get it cheaper online?
That is not always the case! In
most instances Travel Specialists can either match or beat the prices that you
can find online, or at least ensure that you are getting the most value for
your money.
3) What is the difference between a Travel
Agent & Travel Specialist?
The main differences are:
- Travel Specialists take the time to
get the training & to make themselves familiar with certain products & services
that they wish to specialize in.
- Since Travel Specialists specialize
in certain products & services they are better able to advise their clients
by being more focused on their needs & wants, & by being better able to
match them with the products & services that they are looking for.
- With the higher level of knowledge
Travel Specialists are better able to ensure that their client gets the most
value for their money, advocate & work for them, as opposed to the travel
providers, & thereby provide better overall customer service.
- Some Travel Agents tend to be more
“order takers” & are not always working in their client’s best interest,
but are more interested in getting the highest commissions possible.
4) How does this work?
The best way to get things rolling
is to have an idea of what it is that you are looking for (cruise, sun &
sand, all-inclusive, etc), how long you would like to travel for (7 – 10
days), & what kind of budget you are
thinking about ($1000 - $1500 / person). Then contact your Travel Specialist by
phone or e-mail to let them know what you are thinking. Your Travel Specialist
should get back in touch with you very shortly with some suggestions. Once all
is agreed upon, then your Travel Specialist will make all of your travel
arrangement for you, & before you know it, you will be heading off on the
vacation trip of your dreams.
5) How do Travel Specialist get paid?
Travel Specialists generally work
on commissions, like Realtors & Mortgage Agents. We also have to charge
fees for certain services (booking airfare only, etc.), but the travel
providers may not provided commissions (airlines, etc.). While we are happy to
do the work for you, we are also entitled to compensation just like any other
worker in any other industry that does work for others.
6) Are there any things that I should be
careful of?
Unfortunately, yes! There are a
number of individuals in the travel industry that will try to steer you towards
the products & services that they want you to buy. Worse yet, there are
some individuals out there that do not have the product knowledge to advise you
on what is best for you, & may even talk to you about joining their “club”
or “organization” to get great travel discounts. These people are usually
working for a Multi Level Marketing (MLM) group; they DO NOT have your best
interest at heart. They are trying to get your money & to rise up in their
MLM group. If you don’t like the way that things are going, or you are getting
an “icky” feeling; it is still your money & your vacation dream that you
are more than entitled to take somewhere else & to work with someone that
has your best interest at heart.
Always remember that true Travel
Specialists are highly trained individuals that work for you!
7) What is a MLM or Card Mill?
Multi Level Marketing (MLM)
groups are also known as Pyramid Schemes, or Card Mills.