| Finding the right travel agent can be as hard as finding | | | | the name of a specific agent when talking to your |
| the right doctor. You want someone you can trust to | | | | friends and family. |
| get you the best deal. Someone you who is | | | | A good travel agent will keep a portfolio of all your |
| knowledgeable about the area you are wanting to visit | | | | travel needs and preferences. Things like frequent |
| and has the resources to provide you with all the | | | | flyer miles, credit card details, hotel or airline favorites, |
| information you need. Travel agents book about 75% | | | | and any other personal requirements should be kept |
| of all air travel, 30% of all hotel reservations, and 95% | | | | by the travel agent in a specific folder. This saves you |
| of all cruises. Even with all the information online most | | | | time when you go in to book a trip, by having |
| people still prefer to avoid all the hassle and use travel | | | | everything already filed out you won't have to do it |
| agents. The first step to finding a good travel agent is | | | | each time. A good travel agent will also find out your |
| to check their credentials. Check to make sure they | | | | preferences, like places you enjoy visiting. This way if |
| are a certified travel counselor. To be a certified travel | | | | they come across an unpublished bargain for a place |
| counselor a travel agent with at least five years | | | | that is of interest to you they can contact you with the |
| experience must complete a two year graduate level | | | | information. A good travel agent is always looking for |
| program offered by the Institute of Certified Travel | | | | the best deal for their client. This includes informing you |
| Agents. For the travel agency itself you have to look | | | | if changing the dates of your vacation or changing |
| for membership in one of two associations. The | | | | your itinerary can lower the price for you. Finding a |
| American Society of Travel Agents and The | | | | good travel agent can be frustrating and time |
| Association of Retail Travel Agents are the two travel | | | | consuming. When you find a good travel agent you |
| agency associations. One of the easiest ways to find | | | | should use them for all your travel needs and refer |
| a travel agent is by word of mouth. Ask your friends | | | | them to any one who is looking for a travel agent. |
| and family who they use. Try to pick friends and family | | | | Another place to look is online. Search for one near |
| who have similar interests as you , that way you can | | | | you. Don't always go with the cheapest. Ask them |
| find a travel agent who will understand your needs. | | | | their credentials upfront. If they try to avoid the |
| Most people use a certain agent and not a certain | | | | question, move on. Do they provide phone contact |
| agency. Not all agents in a travel agency are the | | | | information on their website and give office hours? |
| same. One might specialize in cruises while another | | | | This is a good way to tell if it's an agent you may |
| specializes in low cost travel plans. Make sure you get | | | | want to deal with. |