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Table of Contents
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What
are you selling?
·
How
much does it cost?
·
What’s
in it for me?
·
Why
should I trust you?
·
Did the name of your business
change?
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Why
Should I use a Travel Agent?
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What are you selling?
I am selling my expertise in helping you to find a
really great vacation for you and/or your family.
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How much does it cost?
Really, it doesn’t cost you anything because I earn a commission
on the products that I sell you. And if I would charge a small fee, you’ll
be convinced you that you will save more money in the long run by using my
professional services.
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What’s in it for me?
Having an expert help you plan your vacation will insure
you get the best experience and best value for your money. You wouldn’t
invest money in the stock market without consulting your financial advisor,
why should you invest money in a vacation without the help of an
experienced professional?
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Why should I trust you?
I have been in business for 15 years. I have many
satisfied clients, and most of my clients repeat their planning with me
year after year. You can trust me that I will see your vacation all the way
through. I can give you reassurance
that I am a trusted vacation advisor.
In summary, what I am selling is my expertise
that will make your vacation great, not just good. You can do “good” online, you can do
“good” direct with the hotels, etc., you can do “good” on your own but it
will take more time. With my
knowledge and experience I will help you make it “great” and you will be my
client for life.
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Numbers are not the bottom line, people are.
Travel is about the traveler, and not the profit to be made.
I’m here to help you!
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 Did the name of your business change?
Yes! I’m excited to announce
that I am now doing business as “Short North Travel”. I’ll
always be Mz Doo Dah!
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The travel agent advantage: Secret deals and stress-free planning
by Erica
Silverstein, SmarterTravel Staff - March 13, 2007
To some, researching and booking
a cruise is a fun and stress-free experience, complete with happy memories
and even new friendships. If this concept sounds utterly foreign to you,
you've probably been spending too much time searching the Web and puzzling
over pricing. What you need is a travel agent.
It's a common
misperception that travel agents can't get the same low prices you can find
yourself on the Internet. That's true—at least in some cases—when you're
talking about airfare, but when it comes to booking a cruise, travel agents
can often find better pricing and provide more personal service than any
website. The secret to their success? Cruise lines are actively courting
them.
A good travel agent
understands the complicated cruise booking process and can direct you to
the right cruise line, itinerary, and cabin type for your personality. The
result: satisfied customers almost guaranteed to cruise again (a win-win
for all involved). It should come as no surprise, then, that the cruise
lines offer their best agents discounts and incentives to pass on to
clients to keep those bookings coming in. They also pay commission, so
agents don't have to charge you more in order to take a cut.
In addition to saving you
money, the best agents can act as consumer advocates should something go
wrong. They'll also turn the planning process into an enjoyable experience
and take the burden of research off your shoulders.
Saving money
Many Web-savvy shoppers
turn to the Internet for low cruise prices, but it's the travel agents who
have access to the unpublicized deals and upgrades. "Pricing is
comparable across the board," says Matt Cervone "but legitimate
agents have relationships with cruise lines that get them offers not
available on the websites." These unpublished promotions can range from
discounted pricing to free or cheap upgrades and onboard credit. Agents
also know about military, senior, and location-based discounts that might
not be easy to find online; they also have access to reduced
single-supplement prices.
In addition, many agents
book their customers on "guarantee rates," which means guests
don't pick a specific cabin but are guaranteed a stateroom in a certain
category or above. These fares let guests risk getting a less desirable
location in order to have a chance at an upgrade. "Cruise lines really
look at how you've booked when they assign upgrades," says Jo Ellen
Kamen, CTC, a
leisure specialist. "I can't remember the last time one of my clients
didn't get upgraded." High-volume travel agencies will get first crack
at those better cabins, while individuals who booked via the Internet will
be the last in line.
Travel agents also get
access to special deals by belonging to consortiums, which negotiate extra
benefits with travel providers on behalf of their clients. The member
travel agencies can pass these bonuses on to their customers, offering them
perks like free airfare and shipboard credit. Some agents even surprise
their clients with a bon voyage gift, such as a free bottle of champagne.
Another way a travel agent
can save you money is by being a fare watchdog. Some cruise lines will
refund your money or give you shipboard credit if the price of your cruise
goes down after you've booked. "I monitor cruises from the initial
deposit to the sail date for price adjustments," says Kamen. If the
price drops, she gets that money back for her clients. You may not have
time to check the cruise fares every day, but a good travel agent will do
the job for you.
Stress-free trip planning
"Going on the
Internet can be time-consuming and terribly confusing," says Cecily
Macdonald, "Travel agents have resources available so they don't have
to search for the answers."
A good travel agency has
lots of experience under its roof. The agents go on many cruises and ship
tours each year, attend seminars and classes on the various cruise lines,
and follow industry trends. They can tell you which ships are a little
rough around the edges, and which cruise lines would be a good fit for your
interests.
Travel agents will make sure
you avoid beginners' mistakes, as well. They're knowledgeable about
passport and visa requirements, and will help you get your travel documents
in order. "It's very important to remember that if you miss the ship
[on a Caribbean island, for example], you can't fly back without a
passport," says Macdonald. You might not know that bit of passport
law, but a travel agent will make sure you're covered for any situation
that may come up. An agent may also recommend appropriate travel insurance
and help you navigate the confusing legalese of the various policies.
Inexperienced travelers
can often make mistakes when making their pre- or post-cruise travel
arrangements. "Some people who book their Europe cruise online don't
book the air travel right and miss the ship," says Kamen. Travel
agents are well versed in booking transportation, accommodations, and
packages and can help you sort out the nuances of getting to and from your
ship. They can also offer alternatives to the cruise lines' pre- and post-cruise
land packages if you want to save money or travel on a different itinerary.
Problem solving
Say your flight to the
cruise port gets delayed or canceled, and you fear you might miss the ship.
If you've booked online, you're pretty much on your own. But if a travel
agent arranged your trip, he or she can work on your behalf to make
alternate arrangements and solve the problem. Your travel agent is your
consumer advocate.
A travel agent also has
more power to fix a booking mistake. If you accidentally book your cruise
for the wrong week, you may have a tough time changing the reservation or
getting your money back. A travel agent has a relationship with the cruise
lines, and can often fix mistakes with little trouble.
How to find the right
travel agent
You want to develop a
relationship with an agent, so go on instinct. Find someone who knows what
they're talking about.
Look to see if the agent
has accreditation or is a destination specialist, proving she's taken
courses in selling cruises and travel to specific locations. You can also
ask if the agency is a member of a travel consortium or is a key account
with any of the cruise lines—those relationships not only prove the
dedication of the agency, but its ability to get extra deals for you.
Finally, you may want to ask if the agency has a dedicated cruise person or
department, and how many years of experience the agents have.
Above all, you want to
look for an agent that is interested in building a relationship with you.
The agent should spend some time asking you about your interests in order
to find the best fit for your vacation. He or she should return your calls
or emails promptly and stay in regular communication with you between
trips.
Ultimately, you don't have
to give up your Internet addiction. By all means, keep checking the Web for
great deals and low prices. The next time you find an enticing offer, why
not run it by a travel agency? The agents might be able to offer you the
same price plus a little personal service, or show you why the deal isn't
as great as you thought. Speaking to an agent doesn't commit you to booking
with that person. Think of it as another step in your research plan—one
that might net you better deals and service than the 'Net.
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Page last
revised: 11/29/2007
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Return to Home Page: Short North Travel
Thanks for Traveling by!
Deb Roberts (Mz Doo Dah)
Travel Agent and
Owner
Columbus, Ohio 43215
E-Mail or
Call Anytime:
1-614-228-1868
In person consultation by appointment.
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