Why should you use a professional travel agent?

This is a refresher for all those who don’t use a professional travel agent. (I don’t mean order takers you will find at some big name companies).

 

You think you got this fabulous deal online. It’s the lowest price of all the websites! You brag to your friends how good you are at finding great deals on the internet.

 

When you get to your dream destination, you find out there’s some renovations going on next door, the ocean view is actually across a busy road and that fabulous nightclub the website told you about plays music to the wee-hours keeping you awake. Sounds like a dream vacation doesn’t it?

 

Ok so these things don’t occur and you found a great resort. You later find out from the people sitting on the lounge chair at the pool, that their travel agent was able to get a resort credit and/or bought them a bottle of wine and/or a free massage all because they appreciate their business. Can the internet do that yet?

 

When Mother Nature acts up (hurricanes and volcanoes) does you computer help you out of a jam? Do they automatically get you booked on the next flight or do you wait hours on end for someone to answer the phone? What about your bags that don’t make the ship? Professional travel agents look out for you and may already have taken care of everything for you

 

For those who book cruises online and without a travel agent:

 

Did you know that great stateroom is above the disco or below the pool (which is cleaned at 5am daily)? Did you get a complimentary upgrade to a higher category cabin, shipboard credit, and other complimentary perks to your journey? Did you know the price dropped? Did you get a refund?

 

I guess some people think years of experience means nothing at all. It does not cost you anything extra to consult a travel agent.  Do yourself a favor and at least consult with a professional travel agent and see if you’re getting a good deal. They can match and or beat prices and through in extras. 99 out of 100 times you  will get something far better and at a better value

One of the many reasons travel agents are not the same!

It’s not my nature to toot my own horn, however, here is a good reason why you should use Travelwize for all your travel needs! This was sent in am email to a partner in the Netherlands!

Please meet Alyse Cori, our travel agent responsible for booking flights for leaders.
I believe we talked about this in person and let me repeat why Alyse is an important player for us and explain our preference in using her. Our leaders often are on very complex travel agendas and splitting fares not only between partners, – all in service of providing the most creative solutions and in service of creating more economic options for partners. This requires a lot of flexibility and often multiple changing of flights and simply has not proved viable with regular travel agencies. Alyse and her organization has now worked with us for almost a decade and we have found over and over again that she not only goes out of the way to make things happen that seems impossible, but she has tremendous relationship skills and will work with you to make things work.

Online Travel sites are like fast food restaurants

The best analogy I could find for online travel site vs a professional travel agent is to make a comparison to a fast food restaurant and a good restaurant. With a fast food restaurant, the food quality and amounts are consistant, you know your hunger will go away, it’s not hard on your pocket book, it’s good enough, you deserve to splurge with those extra calories and you know it’s not the most nutritious meal. The service is fair, you usually get what you order(dont make any changes though). pretty good order takers, and the meals serves the purpose. You look online, you click, price is right, it’ll be good enough. Now compare a good restaurant to a professional travel agent. You are greeted by a friendly face, taken to a table of your choice, lets you know about the specials, offers their opinion of the special, and answer your questions.
You then sit down and enjoy a well-serviced meal, feel special, love the great price since you used a promotion for a discount, eat nutritiously, and realize you are special and deserve to be treated with excellent customer service. If you think online travel sites are less expensive than a professional travel agent you had better think again! Professional travel agents know about the promotions, try to understand what you are looking for can suggest the right property, are there for you, usually upgrade, send you gifts or do something out of the ordinary to make sure you are happy and comeback. Having said this, not all professional travel agents are the same. Some get tired of their past career and open up online travel site extensions as a storefront. These are order takers not professioanls.The best way to find a professional travel agent is by referral. They are not looking to just close the sale. They know their product and offer you the best value for your hard earned money. With so many travel options out there today, you owe it to yourself to consult with a professional. Dont you think you’re better than fast food?

It’s not too late to make summer plans to Greece

MYKONOS SUMMER & FALL ESCAPES Plus Athens and Santorini

There’s no better time to visit GREECE!

MYKONOS GREAT ESCAPE from $809*     8 Days / 7 Nights   Includes:   7 nights at the 5* San Marco Hotel in Mykonos – Receive a free upgrade from a Classic Sea View room to a Deluxe Sea View room   Buffet breakfast daily   Roundtrip highspeed ferry transportation from Athens to Mykonos   Roundtrip port to hotel transfers in Mykonos   Hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling           Departure Dates & Prices:   DBL SGL July 1 – July 24 July 25 – Aug 29 Aug 30 – Sep 12 Sep 13 – Sep 26 Sep 27 – Oct 5 $1,095 $1,345 $1,095 $925 $809 $1,775 $2,245 $1,775 $1,419 $1,199     or MYKONOS SUMMER & FALL ESCAPES Plus Athens and Santorini There’s no better time to visit GREECE!  MYKONOS GREAT ESCAPE from $809*     8 Days / 7 Nights   Includes:   7 nights at the 5* San Marco Hotel in Mykonos – Receive a free upgrade from a Classic Sea View room to a Deluxe Sea View room   Buffet breakfast daily   Roundtrip highspeed ferry transportation from Athens to Mykonos   Roundtrip port to hotel transfers in Mykonos   Hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling           Departure Dates & Prices:   DBL SGL July 1 – July 24 July 25 – Aug 29 Aug 30 – Sep 12 Sep 13 – Sep 26 Sep 27 – Oct 5 $1,095 $1,345 $1,095 $925 $809 $1,775 $2,245 $1,775 $1,419 $1,199             MYKONOS & ATHENS ESCAPE from $809*     8 Days / 7 Nights   Includes:   5 nights at the 5* San Marco Hotel in Mykonos – Receive a free upgrade from a Classic Sea View room to a Deluxe Sea View room   2 nights in Athens – choice of 4* Golden Age Hotel or 5* Intercontinental   Breakfast daily in Mykonos and Athens   Air transportation from Athens to Mykonos   Highspeed ferry transportation from Mykonos to Athens   Roundtrip transfers in Mykonos   Transfer from port to hotel in Athens   Hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling       Departure Dates & Prices: ATHENS HOTEL GOLDEN AGE HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL   DBL SGL DBL SGL June 24 July 1 July 9, 16, 23 July 27 Aug 6, 13, 20 Aug 31 Sep 3 Sep 12 Sep 19 Sep 25 Oct 3 $915 $979 $1,029 $1,065 $1,209 $1,039 $1,039 $939 $915 $869 $809 $1,409 $1,545 $1,645 $1,715 $1,985 $1,665 $1,665 $1,459 $1,409 $1,315 $1,249 $1,019 $1,039 $1,089 $1,125 $1,265 $1,139 $1,139 $1,040 $1,019 $969 N/A $1,595 $1,645 $1,749 $1,815 $2,085 $1,849 $1,849 $1,645 $1,595 $1,499 N/A             MYKONOS, SANTORINI & ATHENS ESCAPE from $1,055*     8 Days / 7 Nights   Includes:   3 nights at the 5* San Marco Hotel in Mykonos – Receive a free upgrade from a Classic Sea View room to a Deluxe Sea View room   2 nights in Santorini at the 4* Xenones Filotera Hotel – Volcano Sea View Studio   2 nights in Athens – choice of 4* Golden Age Hotel or 5* Intercontinental   Breakfast daily in Mykonos, Santorini and Athens   Air transportation from Athens to Mykonos and from Santorini to Athens   Highspeed ferry transportation from Mykonos to Santorini   Roundtrip transfers in Mykonos and Santorini   Transfer from airport to hotel in Athens   Hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling       Departure Dates & Prices: ATHENS HOTEL GOLDEN AGE HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL   DBL SGL DBL SGL June 24 July 1 July 9 July 16, 23 July 27 Aug 6, 13, 20 Aug 31 Sep 3 Sep 12 Sep 19 Sep 25 Oct 3 $1,145 $1,159 $1,225 $1,259 $1,225 $1,315 $1,129 $1,125 $1,180 $1,145 $1,125 $1,055 $1,739 $1,803 $1,889 $1,925 $1,889 $2,075 $1,905 $1,899 $1,805 $1,739 $1,705 $1,589 $1,245 $1,245 $1,289 $1,325 $1,289 $1,385 $1,330 $1,325 $1,285 $1,245 $1,229 N/A $1,925 $1,925 $2,005 $2,039 $2,005 $2,195 $2,089 $2,085 $1,989 $1,925 $1,890 N/A

Keep the romance sizzling!!!

Destination(s):Riviera Maya

Departure City(s):USA

Hotel(s):El Dorado Resorts

Travel Dates: 12/23/10 – 04/30/11

Book By:07/31/10

Details

Save up to 20% at these Adults Only Hotels designed especiallly for couples in love!

Book June 7th – July 31st, 2010
Travel December 23rd, 2010- April 30th, 2011

Valid for travel originating in the USA

All of the Casitas Suites’ offer guests the ultimate in luxury accommodations. All suites boast Jacuzzis for two, Aguas del Amor outdoor open-air showers, soaring ceilings, a full indoor bath and shower, and a king size bed. Guests can relax on the pristine beaches and dine at the 8 a la carte Gourmet Inclusive® restaurants featuring fine cuisine and premium beverages.

Romantic highlights include:

    * Generous beach beds
    * Private open-air showers
    * Candlelight dinners on the beach
    * Gourmet restaurants
    * Couples massage

Stay at the following El Dorado Resorts:
    * El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma
    * El Dorado Casitas Royale, by Karisma
    * El Dorado Seaside Suites, by Karisma
    * El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma

Besides this offer you will receive a special gift from me! Contact me 866-408-WIZE (9493)

Girlfriend Getaway to Umbria with Cooking Classes

This trip will satisfy anyone with a taste for adventure. Enjoy a week in Italy

walking through the gorgeous undiscovered Umbrian region . Here you will

have two half -day cooking classes, enjoying the meals you create under the

tutelage of your Italian chef. Starting in the charming town of Assisi, we will

walk around the area and spend some time learning about local produce

and cuisine. We spend two nights in Assisi, exploring the rolling hills, vineyards

and Mount Subasion Regional Park .

In Spoleto, (for 3 nights) we will visit charming authentic (not touristed) medieval

villages. Here we have our first cooking lesson and olive oil tasting.

Then on to Norcia for the last part of the journey again combining discovery

walks with another cooking lesson. Here we slow down our pace again. Enjoy

the town, the swimming pools, take a leisurely stroll on your own, or

join the group for some amazing hikes, where you will find the landscape

dotted with monasteries and abbeys from days of old.

Come and discover the irresistible beauty of the Umbrian countryside; impressive

vineyards, olive groves and gorgeous panoramic views. These are

also some of the most historic and picturesque medieval towns, villages and

monuments in Europe. Paired up with the company of like-minded women,

A taste of Umbria

• • Enjoy one week in Umbria centered in only three hotels
• • 2 half day cooking classes (meals included) wine tasting also
• • Land of truffles, wine and cheese!
• • Learn about local cuisine and wine
• • Accommodation, breakfasts and most dinners are included
• • Enjoy the company of like-minded women
•  

Hiking/Cooking classes

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Assisi (Dinner included)

Arrive in Assisi on your own. Fee time to visit the

town where S. Frances comes from.

Day 2: Transfer to top of Monte Subasio

(breakfast only)

Five hour walk through the Mount Subasion Regional

Park, mostly downhill. Afternoon at leisure

in Assisi.

Day 3 Transfer to Campello Alto (Dinner included)

Three hour walk to Bovara di Trevi and visit an

ancient olive mill. Olive oil tasting, with coffee

and cake. Transfer to Spoleto, check in to hotel.

Three hour afternoon cooking lesson with tasting/

dinner of what has been prepared.

Day 4 Transfer to watershed near sacred

wood of Monteluco (Breakfast only)

Short transfer to the watershed near the sacred

wood of Monteluco, for a five hour hike. Then

we walk to Pontuglia in the Val Nerina where we

stop to taste some local specialties before being

transferred back to Spoleto.

Day 5 Bus to Forca d’Ancarano (Dinner included)

Transfer to the Forca d’Ancarano. Five hour

walk to the ancient abbey of St. Eutizio. Transfer back to Spoleto.

Day 6 Cooking lesson Dinner on your own

Three hour morning cooking lesson ending with

lunch where you taste what has been prepared.

Afternoon optional walk through the Norcia valley

or relax at the hotel spa.

Day 7 Transfer to Piano Grande (Dinner included)

Transfer to the Piano Grande. Five hour walk

along the watershed from Rifugio Perugia to

Castelluccio. Afternoon transfer to Norcia.

Day 8 End of Tour

Transfer from Norcia to Spoleto train station.

Date of trip October 9-16, 2010 Price is $2650 per person based on double occupancy! Contact me for more info! www.travelwizenow.com

Do you really need travel insurance?

I frequently get asked if I really need to purchase travel insurance. My answer is always yes and I take it when I travel as well. It is part of the cost of my trip. For the business traveler, there is yearly coverage that can be taken out too! Here’s more feedback from one of my favorite travel agent sites. 

The Value of Travel Insurance

By John Stone

Published on: June 4, 2010

These days your clients have more reason than ever to ask you as their travel agent about whether they need to purchase insurance when booking their next vacation. This year, which is less than half old, has already seen massive floods in Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Nashville. It has seen at least four major earthquakes affecting such destinations as Haiti, Chile, China and Mexico. And, more recently, it has seen the unprecedented closure of northern European airspace for a week in April, with briefer subsequent disruptions since then, due to volcanic ash clouds from the Iceland eruptions.

In each of these disasters many trips to affected destinations were cancelled or delayed for many hours, if not days, forcing travelers with prepaid itineraries or unplanned expenses to face substantial financial losses. For those who purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan prior to the outbreak of the specific disaster that disrupted their trip, their prepaid funds could be protected and their unplanned expenses reimbursed. Without such coverage, as widely reported in the consumer media in the past month, most travelers had to incur significant costs and lost any monies paid for their trip.

It therefore came as a surprise to me when I read the popular financial website Forbes.com describing travel insurance as a “rip-off” in its May 18, 2010 column, “10 Ways You’re Getting Ripped Off.” Forbes.com made no effort to present its two-paragraph “rip-off” proclamation as the opinion of the writer and her single source identified in the column. Instead, the article, presented as informed financial advice, saw nothing good to say about either travel insurance or the travel agents who sell it.

“[Travel insurance] is not a good economic decision for most people,” said the official from the Consumer Federation of American, whom Forbes.com quoted. “If you just can’t sleep without insurance, don’t buy from someone who’s selling you something else. It’s almost always a bad deal involving kickbacks to whoever is offering the service.” The Consumer Federation official further argued that homeowners’ insurance and credit cards can cover cancelled flights, without providing any documented examples of how this could work.

Fortunately for consumers and agents, the U.S. State Department has an opposite opinion from that of Forbes.com, as stated on its website (www.travel.state.gov) under the topic of travel “health issues.” Unlike Forbes’ dismissal of insurance, the State Department sees the necessity for travel insurance to prevent major consumer losses due to unforeseen risks while traveling.

“Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000,” the State Department says. “Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a short-term policy that does.”

In addition to citing the disasters over the past few months that could be covered by pre-purchased travel insurance, you should not hesitate to present to your clients some other potential uncertainties that can be covered by a good travel insurance plan. Here are just a few examples:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a steady job is lost between pre-booking and travel, or the boss says you must work on dates on which you are booked to travel.

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage when a client cancels due to the illness or injury of a family member, whether that relative is scheduled to go on the trip or not.

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption when the supplier providing the trip goes bankrupt and defaults before departure or during the trip.

• Trip Cancellation coverage when the school attended by a client’s child needs to extend the school year calendar into a pre-booked vacation date to make up for snow days.

• Trip Cancellation when the client or travel companion is involved in a car accident en route to the departure airport.

• Trip Interruption when clients learn that their home was burglarized after they left on their vacation.

Now you may still encounter clients, like the Consumer Federation official quoted by Forbes.com, who want to accept the financial responsibility for themselves, regardless of risk. If they sign a waiver saying they heard the insurance recommendation but rejected coverage, you have done your job. However, the outright dismissal of travel insurance without reviewing its content, as suggested by Forbes.com, is when the true “rip-offs” occur. This is when unforeseen trip disruptions cause travelers who did not buy travel insurance are truly separated from their hard-earned, prepaid travel investments.

Sandals & Beaches Resorts trip

Looking forward to getting to see all the Sandals & Beaches resorts in Jamaica next week. I feel very privileged to be one of the 20 agents througout the United States chosen to take this trip with Classic Vacations. It will be very exciting to see all the properties and be able to properly choose the right resort for the right persons. For the dive fans, Sandals & beaches have the edge over all other all-inclusive resorts as DIVING IS INCLUDED. Sandals is the perfect choice for a destination wedding, a honeymoon, renewing  vows, romantic getaway  or a girlfriend getaway where you can be pampered an EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED. Food, top shelf alcohol, bottled water, sodas, choices to dine at any of their resorts-no limitations just enough days to enjoy them all.Beaches offers the same value except children & families are allowed. I wil report what I find and report. Trying to prove the value of a travel agent is also my goal. Follow my posts at www.twitter.com/travelwize or www.facebook.com/travelwize

Top 10 reasons to vacation to Tahiti vs Europe this year

When you begin planning this year’s vacation,  pick the vacation that will reward you with memories of a tropical getaway you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Compare and see why Paul Gauguin Cruises’ French Polynesia is your best vacation choice.

	Europe	Paul Gauguin Cruises’ French Polynesia
10	Weather with a very narrow comfort window	French Polynesia’s year-round delightful, tropical climate
9	Summertime overcrowding	Uncrowded islands, with plenty of room in the ocean for snorkeling and SCUBA diving
8	About an 9- or 10-hour flight from Los Angeles, with connections	Closer than you think - a non-stop  8-hour flight from Los Angeles
7	Threat of volcanic disruption	Peaceful views of old volcanoes in paradise
6	Long, boring hours aboard a motorcoach	The excitement of sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, one of the most highly awarded small luxury ships in the world
5	Limited exposure to local cultures	Immersion into the exotic, welcoming Polynesian culture aboard ship and ashore
4	Often having to fend for yourself	Attentive, personal service from first to last from a crew that is passionate about their ship—and about pleasing your clients
3	Uneven dining experiences	The finest cuisine in the South Seas
2	Having to pull out a wallet for dining, tips, and more	All-inclusive pricing that includes all meals, shipboard gratuities, select wines and spirits, and much more
1	Having to research the best deal	An extraordinary value in luxury cruising – up to 45% off standard cruise fares plus 2-for-1 roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, when booked by June 30, 2010

You can experience the tropical splendor of French Polynesia and the casual elegance of the 5+-star m/s Paul Gauguin, on their best-selling itinerary, their 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands itinerary.

Book by June 30, 2010, to ensure your take advantage of our special savings offer! Contact me for more  details today. I sailed on this ship last May!

Oceania Cruises to add Pillow-top Gel Mattresses

Oceania Cruises, which seven years ago introduced the “Tranquility Bed,” now plans another bedding upgrade with its new “Prestige Tranquility Beds.” The new mattress is composed of 400 encapsulated springs in seven zones covered by two inches of memory foam. A two-inch-thick pillow-top cushion is filled with gel and wrapped in chamomile-infused fiber. Oceania said the gel top is more luxuriant in feel than conventional foam while chamomile is known to aid in inducing relaxation. The Prestige Tranquility Beds will be dressed in 1,000-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens and a plush down comforter. Guests in higher-category accommodations can choose one of four Prestige Tranquility Pillows. The signature pillows are wrapped in chamomile-infused fiber and stuffed with goose down, memory foam and gel, memory foam, or hypo-allergenic fiber fill. Prestige Tranquility Beds will debut on the Nautica this fall, followed by Regatta, Insignia and the new Marina in 2011.