4 Things to Ask When Choosing a Travel Agent

As a recent article in the Atlantic Journal-Constitution points out, a travel agent can help ensure that these things don’t ruin your next vacation. However, travel agents vary widely in their knowledge, experience and approach. To ensure you get the best possible advice and support, here are four things to ask when choosing a travel agent:

 

1. Are you certified? You want third-party proof that an agent is knowledgeable and credible.
   
   For example, I am a Certified Italy Specialist.
   
   
2. Are you a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)? ASTA is the world’s largest association of travel professionals. As an ASTA member I am privy to special deals that are not advertised to the public, and I get important information before the general public does. For instance, every time there’s another COVID-19-related rule change, we’re among the first to know.
   
   
3. Do you have previous experience with our desired destination? You want to work with someone who has previous experience managing vacation details there, whether or not they’ve personally traveled to this destination.
   
   I have a great deal of experience with many, many destinations. As a travel agent, I’ve been helping people like you plan fabulous vacations for over nine years. Beyond that, though, I have personally visited all 50 states (including the 19 that I have lived in!) and 50 different countries, plus Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands.
   
   There’s a good chance I have in-depth knowledge of wherever it is that you want to go. I can recommend hotels and restaurants as well as things that you may not find online. I can get you booked with a great tour company that does private tours using English-speaking local guides. And a lot more.
   
   
4. Will you be available if something goes awry? This is especially important today, when the number of cancelled or delayed flights seems to be skyrocketing. People miss their connections and then their problems snowball.
   
   My clients all have my cell phone number. If something goes wrong they call me. As long as I booked it, I can help them address all the issues.

A great example of this happened recently when a client missed a connection and was stuck in Paris for 12 hours. I quickly arranged for an English-speaking guide to pick them up, give them a fabulous tour, and have them back to the airport in time to catch their rescheduled flight. Meanwhile I changed their transfer, contacted their hotel and got everything back on track for them.

There are many ways that a travel agent can improve your vacation. Best of all, my services are free!