4 Strategies for Finding a Good Travel Agent

The travel industry is a cut-throat one. Facing stiff competition, low profit margins and competition from online travel portals, travel agents is not an occupation for the faint-hearted.

With cut-throat competition abound in the industry; itÕs no wonder that rip-off stories and bad service by travel agents has rocked the confidence of holiday-makers. So are you still wondering if it is still possible to find a travel agent that is good enough for you? Here's how you can find a creditable travel agent for yourself.

Travel objectives

Know what you want first before you approach a travel agent. Write them down if necessary. No point finding a travel agent that can only offer you a land-based package when you are interested in a cruise instead. It's simply wasting their time and yours.

Flexibility in pricing

A good travel agent should be one that you can negotiate with. Airlines are offering travel agents lower commission than before. Hence, there is every chance that they want to earn what they have lost from from you instead. Be brave and ask for discounts if you feel you are not getting what you are paying for.

Network

Word of mouth is powerful. Usually the best way to know if a travel agent is good is to use your network of contacts to find them. Check out who has use who. Find out what is the service level these travel agents have been providing, and the ratings the received from your contacts. This can gives you a very good idea of the competency of the travel agent.

Long term relationship

Unless you are planning to use the travel agent service only once, it is good for you to let them know you are seeking a long term relationship with them. If the travel agent knows he can expect repeat business from you, chances are, they will work harder to earn your respect. Shape their behavior and reward them if they improving. Refer him to others if you like. This can create some goodwill the next time you book a package with them.

Last of all, the best tip I have for you is, when you have found a travel agent that you like, stick with them!

By Jerrick Foo.

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Travel Insurance

During travel, travelers face lot of risks like, trip cancellation, loss of baggage, loss of money or valuables, accidents, terrorist attacks, natural calamities and occasionally death. One cannot put a stop to travel because of the risks involved but what an individual can do is to reduce the amount of risk involved by buying a travelers insurance.

The concept of travel insurance is very simple. The insured pays a premium (this is the amount you pay to the travel insurance company), the company in turn pays any costs involved in case of accidents or other types of eventualities. In case there is no eventuality the travel insurance company keeps the premium.

Travel insurance covers lots of risks like:

Trip cancellation: There are lots of chances, due to unforeseen circumstances, you may need to cancel your ticket. If you cancel your ticket at the last moment, almost always you will not get any refund from the airline or you may get a meager amount. Travel insurance provides coverage for this kind of loss. The travel insurance company has to provide the cost of cancellation of ticket. However the cancellation has to be done in circumstances which are covered by the travel insurance policy.

Baggage loss: if your baggage is lost, then the cost of the baggage is paid by the insurance company, but is again governed by the rules of the insurance contract.

Medical cost: if you fall sick during travel and the costs incurred by you are paid by the travel insurance. However if you have bought a health insurance which covers overseas cost then there is no need to separately buy a travel health insurance.

Others: Other things that are generally covered by travel insurance are medical evacuation, accidental death, repatriation of remains etc.

The golden rule in all insurances is to read the fine print carefully. You won't have time to read it during emergencies.

By Oliver Turner.

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