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Choosing a Travel Agent
Consumers spend thousands of dollars each year traveling abroad. Many consumers purchase airline tickets through a travel agency. Whether you choose to be your own travel agent or use the services of a professional, good planning is a major factor in making vacation travel a delight. Travel agencies:
- provide more choices and options for travel,
- quote lower package fares,
- provide advice and guidance,
- provide professional and personalized services,
- stay abreast of the most current and timely promotions, and
- enhance your trips with value-added benefits and amenities.
Before engaging the services of a travel agency be sure that they are IATA (International Air Transport Association) certified and a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Travel Agents Association.
In order to find a good travel agent:
- Take advice from friends and business associates who use an agent they trust.
- Visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs.
- Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent's willingness to listen and answer questions.
- Ask about a specific agent's professional background. For example, what kind of training or education they might have had.
- When possible, deal with a local travel agent.
Before agreeing to purchase a vacation certificate:
- Ask for information about the offer in writing before making any form of payment.
- Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics, such as "This offer is only good for 72 hours."
- Be cautious of companies that "sound like" well known firms.
- Be cautious of prices that are ridiculously low.
- Find out exactly what is included in the quoted price, and what isn't.
- Don't give out your credit card number for an offer to a person or company with whom you are not familiar.
Consumers, when you are considering using the services of a travel agent, make sure you follow these guidelines.
Remember, the power is yours!
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