Author Archive: John

Are You The Client From Hell?

Has your travel agent seemed a little on edge with you lately? Have you noticed a change in tone when he talks to you? Are you becoming more and more intimate with his voicemail? Quite possibly you could be turning into the client from hell. Relax. There is still time to reclaim your status as a nice person. Read on. Be conscientious of my time. I am a professional and my time is every bit as important as your time. Please be aware of this when you call to ask…

Don’t Leave Home Without One!

In previous columns, I’ve told you when you don’t need a travel agent. I’ve also told you when you can’t trust a travel agent. But when do you absolutely have to call a professional? Well, here are two scenarios when you must – repeat, must – call an agent. 1. The honeymoon. You bought the ring, mustered up the nerve to actually ask someone and now you might be shelling out upwards of $30,000 for the whole shebang. Please remember that somewhere in the ceremony the words “till death do…

Questioning Your Agent’s Loyalties

Whose side is your travel agency on? Is it on your team, ready to help you if something happens on your trip? Or is it busy cashing that commission check from your last reservation? You deserve an agent who works for you. But how do you determine if your travel counselor cares? Here are a few questions that will help you weed out a bad agent: Were you properly interrogated? If you are asked a lot of questions when you book a trip, you’re probably working with a competent agent.…

Fire Your Travel Agent!

You don’t need me. I may be the only travel agent to admit it, but it’s true. Under some circumstances you’re better off booking a trip without my help. Think about it. Do you need an accountant to make a deposit at the bank? Do you need to see a doctor to treat a headache, or an attorney to pay for a parking ticket? Nope. So here are some situations where using an agency might not make sense: When it’s a simple itinerary. If you’re talking about a point-to-point ticket…