First response is probably "Hey have you noticed that 1.2 million people lost their jobs this year so far"! Well, yes I have and let me tell you the economy is in worst shape then ever in my life time. But change is on the horizon, I am seeing some very positive changes in our government, administration and overall attitude in the world about our great country. Will this put food on your table, pay your mortgage today, rent today or car payment? No! What is does is offer hope and promise that things will get better, and they will; we are a resilent people and we know how to pick up the scraps and rebuild faster, better then ever.
Why am I writing about this, because like everyone bookings are down and this is the perfect time to tell you why travel agents can be of great value during these tight times. There are still times when you will need to travel, for personal, business or leisure during 2009 - prices are coming down, deals are out there for the taking, you just need to know where, how and when.
Most people's first response in this type of economy is to go straight to the Internet and book the best deal on one of the "mega sites" that promise customer service, only not when you want a refund or credit. Don't fall a victim to this - now more then ever you need an advocate agent on your side - now is not the time to take chances with your money or limited vacation plans.
Be wise, not foolish! Travel agents know who is in financial trouble, which supplier isn't paying us, therefore your future vacation may not happen, which supplier is not discounting enough and which supplier is headed for closure.
Now is the time to use your limited travel budget to it's fullest and accept the advise of a well traveled agent who knows and works with his or her suppliers on a regular basis. I am still getting calls from people who can't get a response or help from the mega booking engines about guest issue resolutions. When I get the call, I resolve it - how, well if I told you how, then why would I be in business - I might as well write a tell all book and go fishing, instead I want to be your advocate and until you have pissed off an Englishman - you have no idea how hard and how result oriented we can be! Besides my heritage, I am also an Aries - which means my desire to resolve while taking prisoners is strong, maybe you can call it my "Alpha Persona", but what ever it is, if it isn't right for my client - it just isn't right!
One other note about great agents and agencies - don't hang up or return an e-mail because we ask you to provide the names, addresses, birth dates and a credit card to book your reservations. We are professionals, our agency charges a deposit on your booking, this doesn't' mean we are charging you a fee up front - it means we are only protecting our services and business from "tire kickers" - and when we say we will apply your deposit to your booking we mean it! Now is there a time we charge a fee? Yes there is, for planning mileage trips, comp trips or planning a very unique custom vacation, this is explained in advance as a fee, and will this fee be of value to you, absolutely and you will be taking advantage of all our resources and getting the service and services you deserve. There is a difference, not to confuse you with one more step and that is our air ticketing fees!
Air ticketing (see our next posting about truth in air travel) - guess what - yes there is a fee, the airlines charge us for issuing, so we charge you - now, do you pay fees on the mega sites, or when you call the airlines? Yes you do - look at your credit card statements - some airlines upward of 25 dollars per ticket! Mega sites from 9.95 t0 19.95 per ticket. How much do we charge? We have three tiers of fees and one with no up charges. Tier one $34, basic domestic round trip or one way, $59 multi city domestic or basic round trip (published fare) international, $109 for complex 4 or more legs with layovers both domestic and international. Why are our fees higher, that comes from our need to support our experts, as you know - "you get what you pay for". The fourth is our negotiated international fares - if you are flexible we can save you from 35% to 75% on international coach, business class and first class air! NO FEES! GREAT SEATS! GREAT RATES! I will offer you the comp price on published vs negotiated at request, and you can verify on line at anytime. I have international clients flying business (flat beds and all) for less then they imagined, and now that is the only way they go.
Book your 2009 or 2010 plans now, take advantage of the down turned economy - you will be laughing all the way to the bank when you find out that the passengers traveling right next to you booked later in 2009 and paid twice as much as you, let's face it; when the economy starts to rebound, pricing will accelerate. Book wise, book now, book your savings!
Happy Travels.
