Balitang America Travels Segment on February 2nd: Finding a Good Travel Agent
Looking to visit a destination that’s normally off your radar or planning to plunge into new travel territory? Maybe it’s time to talk to a travel agent. Even my husband and I, who are pretty independent travelers, tapped an agent for our trip to Indonesia in 2004. But how do you find a good travel agent? This was the topic I explored in my Balitang America Travels segment yesterday, Monday.
Let’s put it this way: it’s not like finding a needle in a haystack, but it does require some research and initiative. What travelers want is an agent who will listen and give them exactly what they want. Not someone who pressures them into buying the vacation package or airline fare that’s going to earn he or she, the agent, a fat bonus or commission.
In addition, consumers should be aware of scammers perpetrating travel fraud. In my travel segment, I revisited the story of how a woman paid upfront with a check for airline reservations through a travel agent who promised to send her the tickets in the mail. What she didn’t know is that, today, U.S. travel agents no longer issue physical tickets. Instead agents give a receipt or invoice with an electronic ticket number that passengers show the day of travel. By the time she realized she’d been had, the scammer was long gone with her money.
Don’t be shy to probe a little. After all, this person is working for you, and you want to make sure he or she is looking out for your best interest. Here are some things to keep in mind in your search for a travel agent:
When starting out…
* Be careful about booking with a travel agency that only accepts cash.
* Research the company to make sure they don’t have a bad record with the Better Business Bureau.
* See if the company or travel agent has any certifications. Travel agents aren’t required to have any specific kind of certification, but if they are certified, it may provide insight as to their level of experience and professionalism. You can also check to see if they are affiliated with any respected travel organizations.
Once you’ve identified a company or travel agent…
* Interview them and ask how long they’ve been in the industry, as well as what they can do for you.
* Make sure they are upfront about fees and the cancellation policy.
* Check to see how available they are, because if something goes wrong you’re going to want them to step in to resolve the issue or dispute.
* Ask yourself: is this travel agent listening to my needs? Do they really know about the destination?
If this is too much effort for you, ask friends or family if they can recommend the company or travel agent they've used before. Also, below are some helpful websites that provide information about travel fraud and how to avoid it.
Federal Trade Commission
National Consumers League
Fraud Guides
Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Let’s put it this way: it’s not like finding a needle in a haystack, but it does require some research and initiative. What travelers want is an agent who will listen and give them exactly what they want. Not someone who pressures them into buying the vacation package or airline fare that’s going to earn he or she, the agent, a fat bonus or commission.
In addition, consumers should be aware of scammers perpetrating travel fraud. In my travel segment, I revisited the story of how a woman paid upfront with a check for airline reservations through a travel agent who promised to send her the tickets in the mail. What she didn’t know is that, today, U.S. travel agents no longer issue physical tickets. Instead agents give a receipt or invoice with an electronic ticket number that passengers show the day of travel. By the time she realized she’d been had, the scammer was long gone with her money.
Don’t be shy to probe a little. After all, this person is working for you, and you want to make sure he or she is looking out for your best interest. Here are some things to keep in mind in your search for a travel agent:
When starting out…
* Be careful about booking with a travel agency that only accepts cash.
* Research the company to make sure they don’t have a bad record with the Better Business Bureau.
* See if the company or travel agent has any certifications. Travel agents aren’t required to have any specific kind of certification, but if they are certified, it may provide insight as to their level of experience and professionalism. You can also check to see if they are affiliated with any respected travel organizations.
Once you’ve identified a company or travel agent…
* Interview them and ask how long they’ve been in the industry, as well as what they can do for you.
* Make sure they are upfront about fees and the cancellation policy.
* Check to see how available they are, because if something goes wrong you’re going to want them to step in to resolve the issue or dispute.
* Ask yourself: is this travel agent listening to my needs? Do they really know about the destination?
If this is too much effort for you, ask friends or family if they can recommend the company or travel agent they've used before. Also, below are some helpful websites that provide information about travel fraud and how to avoid it.
Federal Trade Commission
National Consumers League
Fraud Guides
Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Labels: air travel, Balitang America Travels, fraud alert
posted by Christi Morales | 10:12 PM
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