There are obvious advantages to working with a travel agent! Agents can offer you the benefit of their globetrotting experiences, inside lines to discounts not advertised, package deals and a range of other itinerary options. Perhaps more importantly, they are your saviors and advocates when travel plans go awry. So, lets take a look at how you can go about finding your dream travel agent.
1. Do Your Homework
Before searching for an agent, you should decide what type of honeymoon you're interested in and approximately what your budget is. If you have a specific need, then you should see an agent who deals in these types of holidays.
2. Good Agent
In most cases a good agent is patient, will ask lots of questions, maintain rigorous quality standards, are forthright about a destination's drawbacks, and will have a genuine interest in clients' feedback. A good agent will entertain your dreams with an open mind and then present a range of options to you.
3. Shop Around
You can look for an agency that is a member in good standing with The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Thousands of agencies in the U.S. and worldwide are members.
4. Don't Freak Out About Consultation Fees
Some travel agencies who have been stung by potential clients who "window shop" for agents and itineraries then book the tickets themselves, have started charging a fee for their services and expertise. This fee usually varies from agent to agent, and according to the intricacies of the trip and may be waived when the trip is booked or included in the final quote. If you trust and like the agent, consider it a small price to pay for a perfectly planned honeymoon.
5. Expect Experience
There really is nothing that beats experience with most professions, and so it shouldn't be any different with a travel agent. An agent who has visited a specific hotel knows which room has the best view and can recommend what to order for dessert at the restaurant. Best of all, he or she may have an inside line to the owner and be able to make special requests on your behalf.
Although not every agent can visit every hotel, usually agents who have CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) as part of their title have completed an 18-month course and have been in business for at least five years. Agents may also earn DS (Destination Specialist) credentials for Africa, the Caribbean, China, Hawaii, Latin America, North America, the Pacific Rim, Western Europe, and special interest travel.
6. Know Your Budget
Right from the start you need to let your agent know exactly what your budget is.
7. Stay Loose
If you have a flexible timeframe, you may be able to benefit more from any discounts.
8. Bring Ammunition
It is a really good idea if you take all your airline, hotel, car rental, travel award, and travel club programs which you participate in.
9. Ask Lots of Questions
There are no stupid questions, so don't be shy. Ask your agent about the nitty-gritty details of your trip, including airport connections, bus and taxi services, tipping, foreign currency conversion, and safety concerns such as government-issued travel advisories and warnings. Also, you may want to get a phone number that you can use for after-hours emergencies on your trip.
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