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As you know, the travel industry has changed a lot for the travel customer as well as for agents, airlines, and vacation destinations. The Internet, airline business conditions, September 11th, and many other factors have changed how we travel. There are several areas I can help you by saving you money, creating better travel plans, evaluating options, or avoiding trouble. There are advantages to working with an agent who knows the opportunities, details, subtleties and trade-offs facing you in planning and booking your travel and accommodations. |
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How I can help you... I can save you money on "vacation packages" to for example Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii where the air travel, hotel, car rental and other extras are all booked at one time. I can very often beat the pricing from Internet agents like Expedia and Orbitz. I book through several "wholesale" suppliers, who buy up large blocks of seats and rooms in advance, then sell them to us at a big discount. I can help out planning and booking complex itineraries involving multiple starting points, destinations, multiple travellers, and so forth. Our systems and suppliers are more capable of dealing with these needs, compared to you attempting "do it yourself" complex travel on the Internet. "Air-only" to Hawaii, Mexico and Las Vegas destinations because I have access to "bulk rates" through our wholesalers, and can often beat the Internet. For all other US cities and international flights, please call my colleague Mary Jo Strom Copland at The Travel Company (253-564-8189). I
have a wealth of knowledge on destinations,
lodging, airlines, flight times, stay lengths, "freebies"
and so forth that are not easy to discover on your own. There are so
many choices and options, the Internet doesn't begin to touch on them.
Often a minor adjustment of your advance planning makes a big difference
in price, amenities, or convenience. For the travel situations described above, PLEASE CONTACT ME FIRST and I'll sort through the alternatives and quickly provide helpful information or quotes. The best way to start is to supply basic request information using our on-line request form. |
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Exceptions to the rule... Unfortunately for both of us, because of airline and supplier policy, competitive pressure, systems capabilities, time constraints, etc. there are some situations where travel agents cannot help as much as we'd like to! Here are some of these: "Air only" purchase of airline tickets by themselves (not in an all-inclusive vacation package). Since some airlines have withdrawn their availability on our travel systems, changed their price structures and conditions, I'm may not be able to get the lowest possible pricing. In this case you're sometimes better off buying your own tickets via Expedia, Orbitz, the airline websites or 800 numbers. In a pinch, or for some of my regular customers, or the Internet-averse, I do air ticket booking but I may need to charge an extra service fee depending on the airline booked, and other factors. Redeeming frequent flyer miles, "coupons," and similar offers. We invite you to call my colleague Mary Jo Strom Copland at The Travel Company (253-564-8189) who is usually able to help with these. Redeeming travel offers associated with your credit card issuer. For this, we recommend you book directly with the airline carrier, by calling their 800 numbers, or consult the information provided by your credit card company. Extremely short-notice travel (within 24 to 48 hours). For this you are best served to contact airlines, Expedia, Orbitz, etc. directly. For these situations, I'm happy to answer questions or clarify the options you have. Please use our request form on the web, or contact me by phone. |
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Recommended: Travelers Insurance Don't forget to ask about travelers insurance. If there's a chance you won't be able to travel on your paid-for trip, insurance allows for refunds up to the departure date for cancellation, provides important medical/dental coverage, and provides reimbursements for baggage delay or loss. Are you traveling out of the country and concerned about medical coverage? Many of our plans even cover emergency evacuation by helicopter! Planning for the unexpected can save you a lot of $$$ in the long run! |
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Use our on-line Travel Request Form (recommended) Call for quotes and reservations on 253-223-1708 E-mail sara@TravelbySara.com FAX number: 253-564-9545, label it "to Sara Porter." |
