Jim Cuthbert

WHY?

Here's a little fact.   Anything you find online a travel counsellor can find it too! 


Unlike online, your dealing with a real person who has trained, listened, and learned the do's and dont's of travel industry.
In many cases the travel counsellor will not only get the price you found but quite often find it cheaper!
 

I've heard people say,  “Why should I book it with you when I can book it online?”
 

Consider:
 

• You are dealing with a real person when you are working with a travel counsellor.   Travel Counsellors represent you and it's in their interest to get you the best trip you can get for the dollars spent.

• Are you booking in Canadian or American Dollars?    Are you sure? 
  Pricing can show in Canadian dollars but the "fine print" says you are being charged in American.   Pricing may look very good in US dollars but when you add in credit card conversion fees and exchange rates the price tends to rise very quickly!

• When booking with a travel agency in British Columbia, Ontario, and many other provinces you are protected by consumer protection laws which require a minimum standard be maintained in the selling of any travel and protect YOU when and if something happens with the suppliers you purchased from.

• Have you ever actually looked at the Terms and Conditions of an online booking site?   Next time you are looking around online have a look at them.   They range in size from 1-100 pages and can be very restrictive with hidden service fees and charges that you don't realize until it comes time to do changes!

• Customer Service can be a nightmare. What happens when things go wrong? 
  Many websites ask that you email them, not call. Quite often you won't even find a phone number when you book!   Good luck with that when you are at the airport and your flights are delayed or your the hotel room you thought was booked and paid for actually turns out not.

• Computers are only as good as the people operating them. Websites are completely unforgiving. When booking online something as simple as your name can cause huge nightmares at the airport.  "Jim" for example is quite often NOT the official name on identification required for travel and if you booked it that way restrictions can cost dollars or even worse, lost flights!

People often search online for travel deals. The benefits offered by a travel counsellor increase the more detailed your plans become. Travel counsellors have knowledge and experience to put your plans together and use their contacts and supports to make your trip a memorable one.

By all means look online, read reviews, get a good idea of what you want.

But before you book seriously look at contacting a travel counsellor.

No matter how much information you gather or think you know about travel, think again.

Consider the source.

The internet (while an excellent research tool) is still the internet.



Jim works as an outside sales agent at Flight Center Associates in Canada.  He has been in
the industry over 20 years.  You can reach him Toll Free at 1-844-615-2510 or by email
to jim.cuthbert@fcatravel.ca