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Archive for the Category "Travel Site Tips"

10 advantages of booking a holiday with a travel agency Nov 16

If you do not ask if you want to book your dream vacation through a travel agent, stop wondering. Yes, I would like to book your vacation through an agency!

A travel agency, offers comfort and bargains for flights and reservations. There's really no reason not to use it in a travel agency. But if you still need a little convincing, below we have ten of the biggest advantages of booking a holiday through a travel agent list …

# 1 - One Stop Shopping

Simply put, to take the tickets, hotel reservation, your car and everything you need in one place, saving time-consuming to have many phone calls and to each component of your holiday a little book at a time. In addition to the above, need a vacation from transportation to and from the airport, more than a hotel when on a visit in different cities or countries, ground transportation such as trains, buses and taxis, and several reservations for dinner, entertainment and attractions .

# 2 - Insider Experience

More than just "someone who buys tickets for you", a good travel agent is also something like a travel expert. This is because if a traveler and a negative rating of a hotel in a magazine, the newspaper does not print send if the hotel advertises in the newspaper. But if a travel agent is a new customer who is a "bad trip had" had not complained the agency's no reason not to share it with you. A travel agent can warn you about sites which are not all they have to be flipped, or recommend lesser known getaways.

# 3 - Custom Service

Go through a travel agent who listens to your needs, you can expect to rely on their advice and know how to get exactly what you need. You may not know exactly what is right off the bat and a travel agency to specific places, holidays, hotels and airlines recommend customize your holiday goals. You can describe to the agent all the requirements you are looking for (just one block from the beach, sea views, on-site child care, etc.) and they can often suggest a better alternative than perhaps the first destination you in mind have had.

# 4 - Consumer Advocacy

If you hear that travel agents earn their money through commissions, one might think, "Oh, so they probably try to sell me the most expensive possible," but this practice is actually suitable for all in the industry, and reflect , it is very back operations if they continue to rip people off? A good agency will work for you to try to give you the best vacation that you are ready to buy, just because it's your thing, it holds in store.

# 5 - Best Value

Because agencies receive tickets at substantial discounts because they collect and the Commission instead of a fee, you can expect the absolute lowest prices around through travel agents.

# 6 - New Discoveries

If you are planning a tropical getaway, you've probably heard of the Bahamas and Bermuda, but you know what that means … so everyone else has. A travel agent should be able to help you make the less well-known, completely private and special vacation sites.

# 7 - Safety and security

Travel agencies can have the necessary visa, passport and inform the health rules for international travel and provide application forms or assistance as needed. You can also travel regularly informed of all warnings and advice on how to update natural disasters or political unrest. Even if it offers only shake a little something like "always with the left hand during a visit to the Middle East," is the expertise of a travel agency, it could make much more easily with the locals, wherever you are traveling.

# 8 - Reliability

If you simply fly away to Mexico at half-past tense mood, there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent a car and hotels. With the help of a travel agent all inclusive vacation package, you can expect with the car on the airport waiting for you to sit for rent.

# 9 - Personal Contact

Basically, with the help of a travel agency, even online you get live people can talk. You will not be with this simple ticket comparison sites. And if something happens on the trip - unexpected illness or document theft - your travel agent can help you that you need when you need it.

# 10 - Convenience

This is an easier, or you do not want to do all day long-distance calls to find hotels in thousands of miles away and try to see if they have a twin room opened in August twenty first? Even 800 lines, you get to spend the whole day or navigating endless automated menus. With a travel agent is like a buffer for the hassle and headaches.

Examples of Vacation Deals Only through a travel agent Nov 15

Suppose you have all the time in the world, it does not make you a few headaches, and you want to plan a full vacation yourself without help from a travel agent. Sometimes you really do not need a travel agent. If you have a ticket in the short term, if you make a very short trip and you do not really need to get a great production of IT, etc …

But there are a number of things that a travel agent can offer you that you will not be able to elsewhere. The reason is simple: travel agencies offer many good deals.

The reason for the trips, the great deals through travel agents is that it is easy to keep in their interest to these companies in the industry. When agencies offer good deals, they stay in business if they travel agencies stay in business travel companies remain in business. It really is that simple.

A travel agent collect commission from the actual cost of tickets and reservations and so on, collect, and not a fee for their services. And then you can expect a fair deal with nothing tacked.

What you will find almost exclusively through travel agents would be …

Individual Package

This is the main draw, to be honest. A good travel agent will give you with hotel, dinner reservations, a rental car and even some live entertainment in an all-inclusive packages. And of course all that is offered is a powerful off again (it's) the discounts, which are repeat travelers on their favorite travel agent.

Even if you only save, say, five per cent here are ten percent, twenty percent in the other place … it gives up. Tell a general rule package, you pay two hundred for a hotel, five hundred for airfare, and three hundred for a rental car. Well, about twenty percent of the thousand dollars is a few hundred dollars, and there is no such thing as a conservative estimate. From book to know when and how you will get great discounts, you will be surprised how much you can save by booking a package with a travel agent.

For corporate accounts, many travel agents receive a customer profile for individual travelers, adapted to the travel policy of the company to ensure compliance with corporate rules, must be managed and costs to streamline reporting. The individual services also because they preferred locations in their profiles, hotels and car hire can save corporate discount numbers, frequent flyer numbers and other important information to help with your booking.

Good advice, well-planned trip

Have a good trip, not only hold your cards until you need them. A good travel agent will be a number of options for vacation do you recommend to advise you on the recommended hotels are places to avoid (because of crowding or crime, etc.), and on certain occasions, the local habits. The best places are not only agencies but also travel experts and can help you, the best trip and the best of the trip.

Many traditional brick and mortar travel agencies now have full-service web sites so you can get the best of both worlds: the convenience of online self-service with the advantage goes to the office or speak to a real person get on the phone if you need it. Each trip is unique and there are times when you want to sit face to an experienced travel consultants (such as face, if you are planning, you could once) in a lifetime dream vacation. For the standard weekend or business overnight, you can easily order online.

Exclusive Reservations

Not always, but sometimes a travel agent you can actually score discounted tickets for sold-out live shows, famous restaurants, exclusive resorts, which may be all but impenetrable were you just show to a suit and tie and ask to be in. It sounds snooty, but some places do not even accept, unwanted phone calls. A travel agent can be used as a foot in the door to the most exclusive of exclusive destinations. Plus, get tickets or make a reservation at an exclusive spot at a discounted price, there is nothing to complain about either.

The most important thing about going through a travel agent is that they make everything much easier, and sometimes they do things that seemed to be something that is completely accessible, and possibly also on the road. The best in travel agencies should dazzle you with their near magical ability to produce good offers seemingly out of nowhere. Of course, realistically, you can expect to save much money and you where you want!

U.S. Issues New Travel Alert to Mexico but no recommendation to avoid, Mexico Nov 14

MICHAEL Webster: Investigative journalist 16th October 2008 2:00 EDT

The new travel alert only updates the security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico. It replaces the Travel Alert for Mexico dated 14 April 2008 and ends on 14 April 2009. But there is no upgrade of the trip should think carefully about higher status than many. If the conditions in Mexico today is happening everywhere else in the world's attention to making the highest travel has already been spent. I reported last April by asking the questions "why the U.S. government through a new travel warning or even an upgrade to the existing alert? Now the U.S. has once again updated.

The question remains, why not take, a warning status and protect Americans and warn them not to travel to Mexico. Completed at least until some or all of the violence and is again safe to travel in Mexico. Many travelers, like the same thing happened in another country it would leave a warning. Why Mexico? That is the question, why not? Mexico is now one of the most dangerous countries in the world. And it is our neighbor to the south with a population of over 100 million people.Even the U.S. military to visit personal information from Mexico, because banning the increasing violence there.

U.S. Army posts along or near the U.S. border to Mexican officials, saying they have stopped issuing passports, the soldiers who want to travel across the border into Mexico. "If it is not safe for the American soldiers, but it is unsafe for other Americans. Said, John Lutes who was born in El Paso and grew up in military.The new travel alert up-date says, was "that the millions of American citizens safely visit Mexico each year, even thousands, the land border every day for study, tourism Cross or business increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid to prevent dangerous situations, and whom to contact if you to understand the victim of a crime. reasonable precautions to avoid such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist attractions in areas that occur where prostitution and drug trafficking, and the exercise of caution in which a visit during the evening and at night, can help to travel to Mexico is safe and pleasant. "Violence along the U.S. - Mexico border is increasing Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent struggle for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S. - Mexico border in an apparent response to government initiatives in Mexico, against drug trafficking organizations. To combat the violence, the Mexican government has deployed more than 45,000 soldiers in various parts of the country. The Mexican troops occupying roadblocks and checkpoints throughout the country. U.S. citizens say they have to cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways. The problem is that the bandits and other criminals also set up roadblocks and checkpoints in Mexico called and are now fully or partially by the police or military uniforms and are using vehicles that resemble police or military, as a person with a lot less of a national US-American to say what's what.

The problem is, you can not. And there's a reason Americans should avoid Mexico.The Bureau of Consular Affairs, said violence or fighting criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations to take control of the lucrative drug trade continues along the US-Mexican border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police, criminal justice and journalists. However, were the foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, among the victims of killings and kidnappings in the border town in Mexico region.Americans victims of armed robbery and carjackings are. This new type of Mexican Violence has increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped as hostages and their captors in Mexico and in many cases still unsolved killing. In addition, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue reported.From Brownsville Texas to San Diego, California State Department has warned Americans about the dangers of crossing the border. Google or click on: Why not travel warning for Mexico, or at least an upgrade of the existing alert?

In other cases Mexican cartels through their enforcement of the Mexican and American gangs order smaller gangs to kidnap and in some cases murder Americans. "U.S. citizens should be aware of the risks posed by the deteriorating security situation along the border," said a statement in Mexico City and Washington. "Violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, in the northern Mexico border region has increased." New cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality or other factors. Criminals are known to pursue and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles including motors homes and travel trailers, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Reynosa, Juarez, Mexicali, Tijuana and particularly the border towns.

Dozens of U.S. citizens kidnapped and / or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Google or click on: The Americans are kidnapped, hero and in Mexico, killing the new and the old registry goes on to say "Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily armed drug cartels are at a level equal to military small unit to fight escalated and included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Discussions have taken in many cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in Chihuahua state. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid, the location and timing of future armed commitments it can not be predicted. Public shootouts have occurred during daytime in the vicinity of shopping centers in many Mexican border towns. About 5,000 people were murdered in Mexico so far this year. This figure is more than were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.The new enrollment to continue to report that appears a number of areas along the border of rapid growth in prices for many types of offenses. More than 1,600 cars were stolen in Ciudad Juarez, as published in July 2008 and bank robberies are dramatic. Rates for robberies, murders and petty thefts and carjackings have all last year across Mexico generally increased, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, Palomas and Nogales is among the cities that have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours shopping malls and other public places.

Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Tijuana, and along Route 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo. A very dangerous situation takes place in Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana and other cities of the Mexican border and has the heart of American citizens. A new series of robberies near the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez has targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other services are looking to visit the consulate are advised to take cash out of the use and actions to report for this service with something other than cash.Mexican authorities that were more than 1,000 people in Ciudad Juarez this year alone were killed to pay.

U.S. citizens should pay closely to their environment, while avoiding traveling in Ciudad Juarez, to isolated locations during late night and early morning, and messages are created. U.S. citizens are urged to be vigilant to ensure the safety and security when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, the offender full or partial police or military uniforms and vehicles, carried the same unmarked police vehicles used. While the largest increase in violence near the U.S. border has occurred, U.S. citizens traveling elsewhere in Mexico should also exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Mexican and foreign spectators were injured or killed in some violent attacks, shows increased risk to the public. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and in many cases remain unresolved.

U.S. citizens who believe they are in a kidnapping or other crimes should be targeted Mexican officials and the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should try everything on country roads during daytime driving, especially the toll ( "cuota") roads, as a rule they are safer. U.S. citizens are invited to stay on well-known tourist destinations and sites in cities with adequate security, and provide a route to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should not travel alone, and should be a GSM-enabled cell phone that functions internationally. Refrain displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large sums of money or other valuable items.Criminals followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Ciudad Juárez and Tijuana. Although officials of the State Department travel warning for Mexico will be updated, they did not update a more serious "travel warning" which is reserved for the long-term conditions, officials said. Even though many Mexican cities on the border of the United States and elsewhere in Mexico under siege, the question is, why not. Mexico is now one of the most dangerous countries in the world. And it is our neighbor to the south with a population of nearly 100 million people.

Our government enables criminals are armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, the offender full or partial police or military uniforms and vehicles, carried the same unmarked police vehicles used. As the American travelers are expected to be able to distinguish between the real Mexican army at checkpoints and criminals? Americans are of Mexican bandits and other Mexican criminals because they are Americans targeted and are believed to have money with them. "

The Foreign Office says that if you are a victim of crime while in Mexico and remember this only after invitation to contact the Consular Section at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for advice and help.

23-year-old American from El Paso Kyle Belanger Mostello view missing in Juarez Mexico Born in Tennessee, 23-year-old American from El Paso Kyle Belanger Mostello view missing in Juarez Mexico. Close friends and relatives believe he was a soldier for the El Paso Barrio Azteca gang. The real question here was Kyle kidnapped, taken to Ciudad Juarez and murdered as some believe.

Be issued by the U.S. State Department "Travel Warnings" when the State Department decides based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a particular country. Some Middle Eastern countries, where avoidance of travel is recommended will travel warnings, as well as country-specific information. No such travel warning is for the country of Mexico.

For related articles Google or click on: www.lagunajournal.com

Truth Travel Prices Nov 13

None of us would these quotes from a travel article TimesOnline.co.uk be surprised (October 2008) by Stephen Bleach:

"Massive discounts on cruises have been exposed as a con last week after leading Fred Olsen does not yet allow a single drive sold at full price for a year."

Another quote from the Executive Director of the Board, Mike Rodwell:

"The big American companies started and the rest was to follow."

Another surprise. On the same page as this laptop an excellent article three Google ads offered:

"Cruise Deals. Find Top Online Cruise Deals. Reading & Book Online Today. "Followed by:

"Cruise Discounts 75% discount, all cruise lines, all destinations." And another:

"Great Alaska Cruise Sale, free upgrades, exclusive offers and more with guaranteed lowest prices!"

The thinking behind this advertising must tour passengers are naive or stupid, but it would probably not be used if they do not work.

Additionally, these Google Ads on a very negative, but honest article on misleading advertising for cruises.

The travelers still face contempt of the tour operators and corporate advertising, not only by the cruise lines and airlines will be treated, but all types of travel suppliers. What could be misleading and false advertising as a company advertising their prices under headings such as Shout Out:

"$ 49 a way to Smithville, "in large font, and then:

"due to the return of the purchase, plus taxes, plus fuel surcharge for security, extra checked baggage, seat selection fees, and so on and on." And by the way have been enough to reduce fuel surcharges?

Not only cruise prices and tickets, but also check hotel prices, which often requires a lot of investigation on offer discounts:

"75% off! But what is it? A rack rate, which is rarely out?

And why you can often cheaper to book online office as at the hotel reception desk space, even if you are in the lobby and ready to book?

Can be packed first in line for pricing issues travel market. How many of those sold in the brochure price? Or, as with the top cruise line, just wrapped a tour to another?

Not only does the public led astray by questionable advertising and pricing, but when picked up by a cruise line, airline or resort company packed they may be open to further gouging on board ships or aircraft, or resort.

In addition to on-board expenses for alcoholic beverages should be tax-free prices (ie cheaper than onshore). Equipment, such excursions can be even more expensive if bought on board, as opposed to rural or even prior to departure via the Internet. Even the points of space booking agency for off-resort activities. The prices are often cheaper when purchased directly from the operators before departure or return directly to the Internet. Airlines, however, that the fees are free for all types of basic services of blankets, pillows, soft drinks, and soon the water is not an audience (the film is Conair think) and will continue to be the most feared part travel adventure .

There is hope for the future, but so far only in Europe. In 2009, there are new rules for advertising standards in force, the more protection for passengers. We hope that these new rules will eventually spread to the rest of the world is to protect the world further improvements for consumers.

In the travel industry. Where's the originality and creativity gone? Where are the leaders? It is leading to, or follow my way over there "? Only followers know.

Another aspect of the tour price if they want consumers to manage their own travel arrangements directly with the operators of hotels, lodges, tours and transport. The pricing should be taken into account the fact that the products are purchased directly from the source and not retailers. To be paid, in other words, lower prices for the Commission to give an agent, broker or dealer, and travelers, a direct booking discount would be. This measure would encourage more travelers to do so to make their own direct bookings, resulting in more sales and increase the competitiveness of the operator.

The course must be adapted to traditional distribution channels to be protected so many consumers need help and support and want to have, not all or the Internet.

Do not show travel operators generally have different rates on their websites as they search for potential clients in individual counseling and then book directly with him to get a better price to lead to. It is unfair for the retailer to lose their mission when they performed services for their travel trade customers.

Consumers, on the other hand, if they do not need advice or reservations, should be able to go directly to the source and to receive a direct booking discount.

Originality and creativity, the travel industry back. Travel providers can now offer a direct service to passengers booking discount by using a new system of travel vouchers which have been introduced. With a website and the Internet, they can now reach to the global travel community, not just a travel agent or local traffic.

Each tour, from the smallest to the magnificent Lodge B & B or luxury tour, offer this service. The coupon values are normal commissions that would have been paid to the sellers of travel, but now be returned to the buyers of travel. And to view the non-concessional price on their websites.

The service does this new initiative to thousands of small travel suppliers and other companies around the world that do not use, sales manager, to be supported, therefore, not built on the sales commission, in its pricing. The operators of the service voucher shows that lower yields better achieved with a higher volume of direct travelers booking discount on total return.

Members of a new online Travel Club can these coupons for free with the membership and non-members receive, they can at deep discounts to their nominal values buy at a similar place. Currently, there are vouchers that will cover travel in over seventy countries from b & b's, adventure and luxury tours.

Club operators say that they do not charge the companies, their services, as long as they can on the issue of vouchers, the members of the direct booking discounts have to check to participate.

There are many directories on connecting to the world, a world travel, the traveler, but the new approach offers a directory of discount on each trip choice if you are willing and able, your own travel reservations and arrangements directly with the companies listed on . Manage

The club is aware that many operators will continue to monitor the activities of the style Mike Rodwell Fred Olsen Lines, and will continue to follow rather than lead, and it is unlikely that they will ever be represented by the Travel Club. They also know that there is sufficient independent travel companies find that their new business style selection and direct booking discounts will be extended to create a better way to travel directly to consumers around the world.

You can read more on the website of TheTopTravelClub.com.

Ask your travel agent these questions Nov 12

If you are planning a vacation, you have two options - book for all by itself or through a travel agent. Although many believe they can save money if they can do the solo work, often special offers, if you are using a travel agent. But remember that your vacation can be much better if you ask the right questions. Here are the questions you should ask your travel agent at the same time leave arrangements:

Question No. 1: Can a better deal if I go on dates?

Do you have your holiday a bit flexible, you can get a better deal. First, your travel agent put a package on the basis of exact departure and return, you give him or her. But if the total price still seems a bit high for you, ask about changing the date for the trip, even if only one or two days. You can usually get a better deal on flights, for example, if you travel on off-peak day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hotels would like mid-week prices, and some tourist attractions are also different rates for weekdays and not on weekends. Before your vacation is cut short, ask the entire schedule in a move or two days to be - you might be pleasantly surprised by surprise by the newly calculated price.

Question 2: Are tickets refundable?

When working with a travel agent, you may be able to book a holiday months in advance. In the meantime, change the circumstances in your life. But often, your tickets are not refundable if you decide to cancel the trip, nor can it be replaced if you want to change any information about your holiday plans. Sometimes, though airlines, hotels, etc., you can modify or cancel, call your travel agent, a cancellation fee for the time she put into planning your vacation. Make sure you discuss these possible charges before you start together. Furthermore, if reservations are changed, note the time from the date of issue of the ticket or the date of travel. The guidelines are from company to company.

Question 3: How much is your fee?

It is not impolite to ask about the fees. Even if you feel strange question to talk much about money, this is the best way to get a travel agent who consider your budget to find, but still gives you a wonderful holiday. About Travel Agent A 10%, while the fees received Travel Agent B, only 5% of fees, a $ 5000 holiday much nicer with the other agents, because less of your overall budget for the fees paid. Moreover, it is important to review the pricing policy before you work together so that you are both clear of your overall budget to start. When you enter your total budget includes the brokerage fee, you can find hundreds of dollars attached to the end, when all is said and done.

Question 4: Where can I get more information about my destination?

Travel agencies usually give you some brochures and other information on your destination. But if you want to do more research, ask your travel agent where you're ready to go. He or she can take some good books you can borrow, or know of other major sites have more than full of travel information for people who are already with a certain goal.

Question 5: Do I need a visa?

Laws of travel documents is constantly changing. If you travel anywhere outside the U.S., even if only through international waters, make sure to understand what documents or permits you need to travel legally to. Although many travel agents give you the information you need when you first start working together, some believe that you care about me. "What do I need to stay my goal?" If one of the first questions out of your mouth when you book a holiday and it's a good idea to constantly check the data request that the laws can be changed. Remember, you should look for travel documents at least three months before departure - and in some cases even earlier. If you do not have proper documentation, you will be stuck in the U.S., and you probably will not be reimbursed for the holiday missed.

Your travel agent should be prepared to answer all of the above-mentioned questions and many more. Your task is - to be your holiday as smooth as possible. When choosing a travel agency, you have to find someone who is friendly, knowledgeable and able to see all their questions you can about your vacation and travel plans to answer.