Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

I wanted to share this with you. Travel Agent Central author Ruthanne Terrero recently posted this list of reasons to use a travel agent.

Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

1. You've Googled "Mexico vacation," and come up with 17.8 million responses. Need a little help editing those choices?
2. Remember when you used that obscure website to book your hotel, and when you got there you spent your beach vacation overlooking a parking lot?
3. How many hours were you on hold with the airline when your flight was canceled because of a snowstorm?
4. Did you really mean to spend your honeymoon at that resort whose one tiny pool was filled all day with 12 screaming children?
5. Who knew that when you booked that "villa" in Tuscany, it would be a small room with a kitchenette and no air conditioning? Funny, it looked much better on your computer screen.
6. No one explained to you that in July, it's winter time in Rio, and so you showed up there with nothing but five Hawaiian shirts and three pairs of swimming trunks.
7. How about the time you really needed a restful vacation, and you ended up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and someone threw up on your shoes?
8. Yes, I guess that hotel must have used a telephoto lens when they took a picture of those guest rooms that you saw on their website.
9. I suppose contacting the Attorney General to resolve the fact that that Internet site has billed your credit card three times instead of once is the only route to take at this point.
10. It was definitely odd that there were no cab drivers at the airport at 3 o'clock in the morning when you finally landed in Costa Rica, but booking a transfer to your very remote hotel would have been a good thing to remember when you purchased your airline ticket and hotel online.

Travel Scams Target Seniors

“Congratulations! You’ve been selected to win a week-long vacation to the beautiful, sunny beaches of the Bahamas”. But before you give up your credit card number, beware! You may be the target of a travel scam. Mature adults ages 50 to 70 are frequent targets since they have more disposable income and often travel more than those in other age groups.

If you’ve received a “too-good-to be true” travel offer, keep these things in mind:

Be suspicious of companies that require you to wait at least 60 days before you take the trip that they are offering. Most credit card companies will only allow you to dispute charges 60 days from the date of the charge. If you file a claim after that, you may not be able to contest the charge if the vacation doesn’t turn out to be all that you were promised.

Don’t do business with a company that insists on using a courier service. Travel scam artists know that by using the U.S. mail, they could be charged and prosecuted for mail fraud.

You are entitled to a written contract including the total cost of the vacation and the cancellation/refund policy. Insist on one before giving out your credit card. Reputable travel companies will provide you with all of the trip details prior to requesting payment.

Beware of “vacation certificates”. There are many variations on this scam, but the worst one is the scenario where the scammer collects a processing fee but then is unable to confirm your requested destination and dates. Then one day, after many frustrating phone calls with no reservations confirmed, you call the “vacation company” and discover that the phones have been disconnected and all evidence that this travel company ever existed has vanished into thin air. Your vacation certificate isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on, you are out the processing fee, and are not going on a vacation.

“You must act now”. “Limited time offer”. “This will be your only opportunity to take advantage of this amazing offer”. If the salesperson is using high-pressured tactics and demanding your credit card immediately, you are probably being swindled.

How can you avoid becoming a travel scam victim? Use a reputable travel company who can give you advice about how to save money without getting ripped off. Always purchase travel with a credit card. Federal law requires credit card companies to remove a charge from your credit card if the supplier fails to deliver the product or service that you purchase.

As cliché as the old saying may be: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Cruise Update: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has rolled out their “My Time Dining” option to all Royal Caribbean Cruise ships! If you’re a cruiser who likes the flexibility to dine when you cruise then this is a great added bonus! You have anytime between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to dine. Traditional dining options are also still available, making a Royal Caribbean Cruise more appealing to everyone.

We are also excited that Royal Caribbean has simplified their debarkation system, making for a much smoother and relaxing process.

Suites are also very popular right now, especially with the added values and new amenities being added for guests. Things like priority check-in, free luggage valet service, reserved seating in theaters, complimentary Concierge Club services, in-room dining, VIP pool deck seating on select ships and priority departures are just a few of the added perks you’ll receive when you stay in a Suite on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Travel agents can provide you with all the details you’ll need to know to ensure you get the best cruising experience. Cruising can be complicated, but also extremely enjoyable and relaxing. By letting specialized cruise travel agents help plan your trip you save up more energy to enjoy every unique aspect of cruising.

Also, don’t forget about Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas setting sail in November 2009! It’s the world’s largest cruise ship!