Monday, March 17, 2008
Whither Travel Agents?
Planning a trip used to be so easy. Twenty years ago, it meant a trip to the local travel agent and having an expert to find the best prices and options for you was worth a lot. Today it is a completely different game. There are more options, more products and more services to choose from than ever before. Planning a trip can still be as easy as booking a flight or a cruise and just going, but with all these different possibilities, sometimes it helps to have help. Travel Agents can be a huge difference between a trip that is a royal pain, and one that is a dream. But there are different kinds of travel agents that specialize in different things.
Generally, this can be grouped into three levels of service: Full Service, Discount Service, and Self Service. Each service serves a different kind of traveler, and has its place in the industry. Knowing which one to use puts you well on the way of getting the trip of your dreams for the right price.
1. Full Service
The Full Service Travel Agent, is the travel agency that has always been around. Small staffs of experts in the field help you negotiate through what can be a difficult set of options. If a trip requires multiple visas, a combination of hard to find airfare, train trips or remote hotel stays, this is the agent to use. Although the traditional agent you use might not have the full knowledge base necessary to walk through a complicated itinerary right away, the traditional agent knows how to navigate through the industry to find the best options relatively quickly. The traditional agent will do research, will have glossy brochures and will put together the nice itinerary package, but at a price.
Full Service travel agents work on commission and often charge additional fees for their time. This is a fair trade. Good full service agents share knowledge to smooth out future voyages for their clients and it can be a time consuming process for them. Because full service travel agents work with fewer clients and rely on developing relationships for their businesses, full service agents cost more money.
2. Discount Travel Agencies
Open up any major Sunday newspaper in the United States and the advertisements for low price travel agencies crowd the Travel sections. Although many of these agencies have a chop-shop mentality, they can actually be a good deal. With the low price, comes less service though. These agencies are good for land packages and cruises especially, and these agencies tend to focus on one or two specific features of the travel world, rather than a full range of services. For example, the agent might sell cruises but not airfare, or land packages but not car rental.
The discount agent might be a better expert on specific aspects of the travel world than the full service agent - but the discount agent is there to sell that cruise, not provide hand holding. Discount agencies operate on volume, so doing research before the phone call is important, and after the sale service generally takes a back seat. It might feel cheap, but that is because it is cheap. In many cases, these agencies are discounting up to 85% of the commission that they would otherwise earn on the booking that is being past their way. So, the same booking that makes the Full Service agency 160 dollars, might only make the discount agency 30 dollars. Small margins also tend to mean change and cancellation fees, so be aware of what the commitment is before booking that cruise.
The discount agent is the best agent to talk to for cruises, provided the booking is simple. Some cruise lines, like NCL and Carnival, will not allow advertised discounts, but call a discount agent, and that 1000 dollar price could suddenly be 900 or 925 dollars.
3. Self Service
The internet has opened up a whole new level of travel professionals, the traveler themselves. Thanks to sites like Sidestep and FareCompare, the lowest airfare is available to you with a few clicks of a mouse. Self service is best for ticketing airfare because it's rare (although not impossible) for a travel agent to have a lower rate. Most airlines no longer pay commission for flights booked through agencies, so those agencies tack on extra booking fees that can range from $25 to $60 per ticket. Hotels and Car Rentals can be the same as well.
Some limited service will be given to the Self Service traveler from the Travel Providers themselves, but when using the internet, the phrase "on your own" is especially true. Buyer beware is the rule, and mistakes can be very costly. For example, a misspelled name on an air ticket could basically be a loss of that ticket. So nervous travelers should go full service. The extra money is worth the piece of mind. Also, avoid booking cruises on your own. Discount agencies can get you a better deal and better service with just a few phone calls.
With all the options available to today's traveler, it's no longer a "One Agent Fits All" travel world out there. Choosing the right kind of agent to help with the preparations can make a huge difference both in price and piece of mind.
Generally, this can be grouped into three levels of service: Full Service, Discount Service, and Self Service. Each service serves a different kind of traveler, and has its place in the industry. Knowing which one to use puts you well on the way of getting the trip of your dreams for the right price.
1. Full Service
The Full Service Travel Agent, is the travel agency that has always been around. Small staffs of experts in the field help you negotiate through what can be a difficult set of options. If a trip requires multiple visas, a combination of hard to find airfare, train trips or remote hotel stays, this is the agent to use. Although the traditional agent you use might not have the full knowledge base necessary to walk through a complicated itinerary right away, the traditional agent knows how to navigate through the industry to find the best options relatively quickly. The traditional agent will do research, will have glossy brochures and will put together the nice itinerary package, but at a price.
Full Service travel agents work on commission and often charge additional fees for their time. This is a fair trade. Good full service agents share knowledge to smooth out future voyages for their clients and it can be a time consuming process for them. Because full service travel agents work with fewer clients and rely on developing relationships for their businesses, full service agents cost more money.
2. Discount Travel Agencies
Open up any major Sunday newspaper in the United States and the advertisements for low price travel agencies crowd the Travel sections. Although many of these agencies have a chop-shop mentality, they can actually be a good deal. With the low price, comes less service though. These agencies are good for land packages and cruises especially, and these agencies tend to focus on one or two specific features of the travel world, rather than a full range of services. For example, the agent might sell cruises but not airfare, or land packages but not car rental.
The discount agent might be a better expert on specific aspects of the travel world than the full service agent - but the discount agent is there to sell that cruise, not provide hand holding. Discount agencies operate on volume, so doing research before the phone call is important, and after the sale service generally takes a back seat. It might feel cheap, but that is because it is cheap. In many cases, these agencies are discounting up to 85% of the commission that they would otherwise earn on the booking that is being past their way. So, the same booking that makes the Full Service agency 160 dollars, might only make the discount agency 30 dollars. Small margins also tend to mean change and cancellation fees, so be aware of what the commitment is before booking that cruise.
The discount agent is the best agent to talk to for cruises, provided the booking is simple. Some cruise lines, like NCL and Carnival, will not allow advertised discounts, but call a discount agent, and that 1000 dollar price could suddenly be 900 or 925 dollars.
3. Self Service
The internet has opened up a whole new level of travel professionals, the traveler themselves. Thanks to sites like Sidestep and FareCompare, the lowest airfare is available to you with a few clicks of a mouse. Self service is best for ticketing airfare because it's rare (although not impossible) for a travel agent to have a lower rate. Most airlines no longer pay commission for flights booked through agencies, so those agencies tack on extra booking fees that can range from $25 to $60 per ticket. Hotels and Car Rentals can be the same as well.
Some limited service will be given to the Self Service traveler from the Travel Providers themselves, but when using the internet, the phrase "on your own" is especially true. Buyer beware is the rule, and mistakes can be very costly. For example, a misspelled name on an air ticket could basically be a loss of that ticket. So nervous travelers should go full service. The extra money is worth the piece of mind. Also, avoid booking cruises on your own. Discount agencies can get you a better deal and better service with just a few phone calls.
With all the options available to today's traveler, it's no longer a "One Agent Fits All" travel world out there. Choosing the right kind of agent to help with the preparations can make a huge difference both in price and piece of mind.
Labels: preparations, travel, travel agents
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Protect Your Travel Investment! 3 Reasons to use Travel Insurance.
In my real non-traveling life, I work as a travel agent. This means that I get the pleasure of seeing dozens of people's vacations ruined for reasons that they had no control over. The frustrating part about this isn't just seeing that bloc of time that was set aside for their enjoyment ruined, but also seeing a lot of these clients lose money, sometimes a lot of money. All because they thought it would be smart to save the few bucks up front that Travel Insurance would cost.
Obviously, we all hope that the purchase of insurance would be a waste of money for all involved - but there are three very important reasons that go beyond cancellation that make sense for Joe Traveler to pick up a comprehensive policy.
1. Missed/Tight Connections
Let's say you're taking a cruise. With the flight scheduled and a four hour transfer time, all should be good to get to your cruise... until weather or a missing part for your 757 gets in the way. Suddenly, you're at the port just in time to see the ship sail off and either stuck in Miami for the week, or left to your own devices to meet the ship at the next port. Depending on the kind of sailing you were scheduled to take, you could be out of a day or two of your cruise, or even for the entire trip! If you had insurance, you'll be alright in most cases. You'll get a refund from your insurance company - or reimbursed for costs to get you to your next port of call.
2. Getting Sick
It goes without saying that sometimes that beloved street food, can come back to haunt the next day. Usually, it's nothing that a quick unannounced trip to the bathroom, some pepto and ibuprofen won't fix. But sometimes, it's a lot more serious. Usually, doctors aren't so expensive outside of the US. But, it still adds up. Add in emergency treatment and we could be talking thousands of dollars out of pocket, and sometimes out of pocket immediately. Sometimes, medical insurance will cover these unexpected expenses. But it doesn't necessarily happen all the time. And a lot of times, US insurance companies will be happy to leave their customers in the cold, if the treatment is needed somewhere else, especially in the developing world. Travel Insurance? It takes care of the wallet, when the Blue Cross doesn't extend past that pesky border fence that the US seems so intent on building.
3. Concierge Service
No no, that's not a mistake. Most travel insurers have a hotline that you can contact for emergency assistance. For example, if Joe Backpacker needed out of Zimbabwe yesterday, his insurer can help him make the necessary arrangements or get him in touch with someone who can. Others go a step further.
CSA insurance offers a concierge service with their insurance, for example. Which means someone can use their service to get tickets to that futbol match at Maracana that are so hard to find. Definitely a nice plus. Although that's a nice touch, it still pays to be careful about the insurance before a purchase is made. Study the policies and make sure that what needs to be covered is covered. Not all policies cover for getting mugged. Some reasons for cancellation have exceptions with some policies. (For example, National Guard troops are covered if they get called up with CSA, but only if they aren't called up to serve in combat - like in Iraq or Afghanistan. Other insurance policies, including iTravel Insured don't make such exemptions.) There's no way to predict the kind of problems that could come up on a wander, but it always makes sense to be ready for them, whatever they may be.
Labels: insurance, preparations, travel
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Stomping through Central America with Philip Roth
With a trip to Nicaragua looming ever closer, the list of what to pack is rapidly forming in my head. Hiking Boots, check. Festive Hawaiian shirt, check. Camera, check. But at the top of my list on every trip? A couple, good, cheap paperback novels.
The truth is, the paperback novel is the most underrated, and most important item in your day pack on every trip. Because so much of traveling involves waiting. An hour to kill at the bus stop might be a cultural attraction at first, but after 10 minutes or so the realization hits that staring at the tobacco stand won't win you any friends, and there never seems to be a lot to really "see" at the bus station. The truth is that having a book gives you something to do - and something to busy your mind during those long waits, or those overnight train rides where you just can't get the sleep you need, because they never turned the lights off in your compartment.
It's also a great tool to meet people. Seriously, hanging out in the hostel of choice in Rio or Munich or wherever, the book someone's reading at the picnic table comes up for discussion. Followed by what Joe Backpacker is reading on his long train rides. Books get exchanged, ideas shared, friendships made. Much like bumming a light for a cigarette got you that first friend in college, your paperback book can do the same thing for you on the road - and without damaging your lungs. (Unless you try to smoke your book - and in that case, just buy the smokes instead!)
When traveling, a book can be your best friend, and it definitely should be something kept in your bag - at all times.
With a trip to Nicaragua looming ever closer, the list of what to pack is rapidly forming in my head. Hiking Boots, check. Festive Hawaiian shirt, check. Camera, check. But at the top of my list on every trip? A couple, good, cheap paperback novels.
The truth is, the paperback novel is the most underrated, and most important item in your day pack on every trip. Because so much of traveling involves waiting. An hour to kill at the bus stop might be a cultural attraction at first, but after 10 minutes or so the realization hits that staring at the tobacco stand won't win you any friends, and there never seems to be a lot to really "see" at the bus station. The truth is that having a book gives you something to do - and something to busy your mind during those long waits, or those overnight train rides where you just can't get the sleep you need, because they never turned the lights off in your compartment.
It's also a great tool to meet people. Seriously, hanging out in the hostel of choice in Rio or Munich or wherever, the book someone's reading at the picnic table comes up for discussion. Followed by what Joe Backpacker is reading on his long train rides. Books get exchanged, ideas shared, friendships made. Much like bumming a light for a cigarette got you that first friend in college, your paperback book can do the same thing for you on the road - and without damaging your lungs. (Unless you try to smoke your book - and in that case, just buy the smokes instead!)
When traveling, a book can be your best friend, and it definitely should be something kept in your bag - at all times.
Labels: books, preparations, travel
