Changes in Travel for 2018

 

Changes in Travel for 2018 and Why You Should Use a Travel Agent Instead Of Booking Online

Changes In ID Requirements For Air Travel

Changes for travel in 2018 are important to pay attention to, and by using a travel professional to help you plan and book your next travel experience will ensure that you are informed about the proper requirements for travel and ensure that you have a great travel experience from beginning to end.

Changes For ID Compliance For Air Travel will become effective January 22, 2018.  Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards.  (Read my full Blog Post to make sure your ID will be compliant in 2018).

 

And for 2018 – Here’s Why You Should Use A Travel Agent Instead Of Booking Online

Travel agents make travel less stressful

When booking a vacation, destination wedding or honeymoon, the last thing a traveler should have to do is worry. Your Special Event should leave you with lifelong pleasant memories. A travel agent is vital in planning these special events as we take the worry off of you so you can focus solely on your big day to come and what you shall pack and just show up.  We do all the planning for you.

We save you money…

As a travel professional, I have access to special discounts, upgrades and promotions not available on line that I pass on to you. These perks can often save you an additional amount or provide you with a dining or spa credit that wouldn’t be available by booking on line.

We save you time…

A survey in 2016 of more than 1,200 consumers, showed that nearly one-third spent in excess of four hours, over multiple days, planning their own vacations. As a travel advisor I create custom itineraries, pulling together flights, transfers, accommodations, tours, meals and exclusive excursions based on your preferences — so you can spend your time on other things.

We don’t charge hidden fees….

A new client of mine told me about a previous experience using an on-line hotel app for a stay in New York City, and told me that the prices that were listed did not include taxes and fees.  This client was  charged an additional $121 in fees for the weekend upon check in, an expense she wasn’t expecting, that put her well over her budget for the trip.

Many agents don’t charge fees at all, and those who do are up-front about the cost.

We advocate on your behalf…

There have been many stories on the internet about travelers booking with a well known on-line booking agent, where traveler’s vacations were cancelled due to overbooking.  Customers were spending  hours on the phone with their customer service department and walked away with only vouchers for the booking agent and reservations in a lower category hotel, which did not even equal the total value of their cancelled vacation.

I feel for this family because they suffered such a horrendous experience. Not only were they left with no refund but also a cancelled trip. That would never have happened if they used a travel agent. Using an on-line booking agent is putting you at risk and can be a setup for a disaster. During peak seasons to find out your trip is cancelled and have no refund is the worst news, but on top of that, trying to scramble to plan something at the last minute is even worse.

We provide personalized attention…

On-line booking agents provide a one-size-fits-all service, not taking into account all the moving parts and variables that are in play.  As a professional travel advisor, I tailor these services to my clients’ individual needs. If you have concerns, I’ll talk you through them and put your mind at ease. Need a hotel that can cater to your allergies or a special dietary need? A professional advisor I have personal relationships with the resort and hotel brands I sell and can speak to hotel managers to make sure it’s taken care of.

Despite all the on-line booking agents, travelers are desperate for a real human voice on the phone. Travelers want travel advisors who are truly dedicated to their needs and will receive genuine customer service and someone willing and eager to sell them what they want.

We offer insurance…

From guaranteeing your hotel is available to knowing if the excursion company is legitimate, booking through a professional travel agent ensures travelers will not get duped. And we provide insurance for medical emergencies and trip cancellations to protect your investment.

We’re here for you 24/7…

As a travel professional, I am on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for my clients. I’m right there with you throughout the booking process, during your travel and follow up afterward. If you were to book on line and had to contact the booking agent’s customer service department, you likely will be wading through a chain of people to hopefully get to the one who can help you. One such customer, said she spent six and a half hours over three days speaking with Expedia’s customer service department.

We are specialists…

As a travel professional, I have a personal understanding of your interests and insight into specific destinations and segments of travel, such as Transformative Travel Experiences and Group Travel Events to destinations such as Jamaica, Mexico and Europe.  I spend time getting to know my clients so I can make recommendations tailored to what you want to do and to ensure that they have a great experience and an amazing trip that will send them away with lifelong memories.

 

So, when you are ready to plan those 2018 travel adventures, contact me, I would love to create an unforgettable travel experience for you.

 

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Retreat Group Travel, Culinary & Vineyard Group Travel, Wellness Travel Retreats, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events, Corporate Wellness Retreats, Team Building Retreats, Fitness Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Juice & Cleanse Retreats, Spirituality Retreats, and Autism Travel,

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.