Chicago526
<font color=red>Any dream will do...<br><font colo
- Joined
- May 6, 2003
- Messages
- 11,024
A great thread from a CM on the resorts board got me thinking. I'm a Travel Agent, and I beleive, a good one. But there are a lot of my fellow agents out there in the world who are not worthy of the name. So here are some tips to find a good agent. This is writen with an eye towards booking WDW, but 99% applies to all other destinations. By the way, the thread that got me thinking about this is great, heres the link:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560293&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
Tips to finding a good Travel Agent!
Start with a solid agency. Look for membership with IATAN and/or CLIA. CLIA tends to be cruise only, but many will do land packages, especially Disney now with the cruise line and all. Also, if the agency is able to print airline tickets on site, they are double safe, as they have to pass ARC regulations, and they are STRICT!!!
Mid-size to large agencies also tend to have more sophisticated computer equipment/programs. Mine, for example, can check web specials, constant checking for better seat assignments if good ones aren't available at booking, and lower air fares after purchase. This isn't to knock small agencies, but ask about these types of services to make sure they offer them. Some might, but some might not.
As for the agent, find out if they've been to WDW in the last 2 years, or if they've been at all. Which resorts have they stayed at or inspected. Ask if they are a grad of the College of Knollege (a Diseny run agent training course). CoK isn't nessesary to be a good WDW agent (I'm not a grad, but am looking into doing it) but it's a plus. If they have never been, or haven't been in a long while, ask if another agent in the same agency has, and ask to deal with them instead. If no one at the agency has been, but you like the agency (maybe they've done a lot of other travel for you) it still should be okay. But, ask a lot of questions, and if something they tell you doesn't sound right (like they can book a suite at an All Star, the AS don't HAVE suites) that should be a red flag, consider booking elsewhere. A good agent may not know everthing but they will be honest when they don't, and will offer to find out for you AND follow through!
A good agent will ask you a lot of questions. If they don't ask any beyond the esential four (when are you going, where do you want to go, how many people, and how much is your budget) then they aren't a good agent. They should ask things like:
What kind of vacation do you want? Active, relaxing, off the beaten path, a group tour? This helps match what you want to what they offer you. If you want a relaxing trip, maybe UPH are a waste cuz you won't be in the parks the whole trip so they recomend a 4 or 5 day hopper for a 7 night stay. If you answer group tour, they can offer park tours or suggest DCL instead of WDW. The should also ask if you (and your family) have hobbies and sports they like. This helps them suggest things like setting up tee times, or suggesting rides or attractions at differant parks (if you mention your kid is an animal nut, they can recomend AK Sea World, and Discovery Cove for example).
What kind of hotels are you used to staying at? Motels, Best Westerns, Marriots, Four Seasons? This question helps determine what kind of hotel (value, moderate, deluxe) you'll be happiest at, and if your budget matches your expectations.
The more questions an agent asks, the better they can help you to have a great vacation! And be honest and give as much details as you can when you answer. My biggest pet peeve is when I ask "where do you want to go" and the client says "someplace warm". Death Valley is warm. So is the Sahara desert. So is Las Vegas in August. Think about it a little, please, and then come sit at my desk!
We aren't mind readers! If your budget is $2000, don't tell the agent "as cheap as possible" (actually dont' ever say that, try to give them a number) tell them $2000. When I have a number, I give several options, like "well, the least expensive way to go is an All Star property with park hopper passes, but for only $xyz more you can get a moderate with a hopper plus, or for $xxz more than that, a moderate with a silver plan. We want to make you happy, not just make more commision! If we make you happy, you'll keep booking with us and we'll make more money in the long run.
I know a lot of people here have had bad things happen with agents. But if you had a bad dentist, would you stop going for check ups? No, you'd find a better dentist. It's the same thing, find a good agent, and we'll do right by you!
If anyone has questions, reply to this thread or send a PM. And no, I'm not looking for new clients. I do 90% corporate travel and only book leisure for friends and family. I just wanted to be helpful!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560293&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
Tips to finding a good Travel Agent!
Start with a solid agency. Look for membership with IATAN and/or CLIA. CLIA tends to be cruise only, but many will do land packages, especially Disney now with the cruise line and all. Also, if the agency is able to print airline tickets on site, they are double safe, as they have to pass ARC regulations, and they are STRICT!!!
Mid-size to large agencies also tend to have more sophisticated computer equipment/programs. Mine, for example, can check web specials, constant checking for better seat assignments if good ones aren't available at booking, and lower air fares after purchase. This isn't to knock small agencies, but ask about these types of services to make sure they offer them. Some might, but some might not.
As for the agent, find out if they've been to WDW in the last 2 years, or if they've been at all. Which resorts have they stayed at or inspected. Ask if they are a grad of the College of Knollege (a Diseny run agent training course). CoK isn't nessesary to be a good WDW agent (I'm not a grad, but am looking into doing it) but it's a plus. If they have never been, or haven't been in a long while, ask if another agent in the same agency has, and ask to deal with them instead. If no one at the agency has been, but you like the agency (maybe they've done a lot of other travel for you) it still should be okay. But, ask a lot of questions, and if something they tell you doesn't sound right (like they can book a suite at an All Star, the AS don't HAVE suites) that should be a red flag, consider booking elsewhere. A good agent may not know everthing but they will be honest when they don't, and will offer to find out for you AND follow through!
A good agent will ask you a lot of questions. If they don't ask any beyond the esential four (when are you going, where do you want to go, how many people, and how much is your budget) then they aren't a good agent. They should ask things like:
What kind of vacation do you want? Active, relaxing, off the beaten path, a group tour? This helps match what you want to what they offer you. If you want a relaxing trip, maybe UPH are a waste cuz you won't be in the parks the whole trip so they recomend a 4 or 5 day hopper for a 7 night stay. If you answer group tour, they can offer park tours or suggest DCL instead of WDW. The should also ask if you (and your family) have hobbies and sports they like. This helps them suggest things like setting up tee times, or suggesting rides or attractions at differant parks (if you mention your kid is an animal nut, they can recomend AK Sea World, and Discovery Cove for example).
What kind of hotels are you used to staying at? Motels, Best Westerns, Marriots, Four Seasons? This question helps determine what kind of hotel (value, moderate, deluxe) you'll be happiest at, and if your budget matches your expectations.
The more questions an agent asks, the better they can help you to have a great vacation! And be honest and give as much details as you can when you answer. My biggest pet peeve is when I ask "where do you want to go" and the client says "someplace warm". Death Valley is warm. So is the Sahara desert. So is Las Vegas in August. Think about it a little, please, and then come sit at my desk!
We aren't mind readers! If your budget is $2000, don't tell the agent "as cheap as possible" (actually dont' ever say that, try to give them a number) tell them $2000. When I have a number, I give several options, like "well, the least expensive way to go is an All Star property with park hopper passes, but for only $xyz more you can get a moderate with a hopper plus, or for $xxz more than that, a moderate with a silver plan. We want to make you happy, not just make more commision! If we make you happy, you'll keep booking with us and we'll make more money in the long run.
I know a lot of people here have had bad things happen with agents. But if you had a bad dentist, would you stop going for check ups? No, you'd find a better dentist. It's the same thing, find a good agent, and we'll do right by you!
If anyone has questions, reply to this thread or send a PM. And no, I'm not looking for new clients. I do 90% corporate travel and only book leisure for friends and family. I just wanted to be helpful!
It must be tough in the "priceline" era
