Jeremy Foster is a freelance writer who writes about vacations all over the world, often focusing on special deals and exclusive information one would receive through working with travel agencies.
When you are looking to book your next vacation or your next business trip, you may be considering using an online travel agency. Before you decide to do so, however, you should be aware of what to expect from an online travel agency so you can determine how best to match that to your own unique needs. There are several different levels of service in which to classify online travel agencies, the level you need depends on your trip requirements as well as your personal travel and leisure preferences or desires.
Quite simply, you should be able to find an online travel agency that can fulfill any expectation you may have. Whether you prefer self-service travel plans where you do all of your own searching and booking, or a full-service online agency that handles every detail on your behalf, there are many options available. Depending on the type of travel you will be undertaking, there are also various options that you can consider among online travel agencies. Some specialize only in travel packages, while others offer a la carte menus of travel services for you to pick and choose.
There are several expectations, however, that are universal to all online travel agencies. These have to do with the minimum level of service provided and the quality and competitiveness of the types of travel being sold. It is best to qualify the online travel agency on all of these expectations before you choose to enter into partnership with them for the travel you are seeking to plan.
The first universal expectation that you should have for your online travel agency is having a variety of destinations and packages available to choose from. It does not matter what specialty the agency might have, from full-service travel to niche travel such as cruises or unusual destinations. No matter what is being sold, you always want to partner with an agency that provides options. While the first option you see may very well end up being the best choice or the best value, you will have no means of determining that unless other options are available for comparison. Good self-service travel sites will readily offer you comparison information. Full-service online travel agencies should compile that same information and present it to you when you are in the process of making a decision.
The second universal expectation you should have when using an online travel agency is that they offer the same basic types of vacations from more than one carrier or provider. For example, you can choose between two major airlines for the same New York-to-Miami flight leg of your trip. If an online travel agency represents only one brand, they are not truly a travel agency; instead, they are a representative of that brand. If only one brand were offered, customers would have no means of evaluating whether the services and products offered were of value or were worthless. Having a number of providers to choose from when selecting hotel or airfare or cruise line shows that the travel agency is actively updating its site with the best prices and options currently available.
The third universal expectation that you should have for your online travel agency is price competitiveness. Although travel agencies sometimes charge fees to travelers in order to off-set their cost of doing business, those fees must be fair. The charges for the actual travel services you see published through online travel agencies should be no more than what you would pay if you went directly through the provider, and, in fact, less if bundled with other services.
The final universal expectation that you should have for your online travel agency is a service-level guarantee that ensures you get what you pay for and are treated in a courteous and appropriate manner. Online travel agencies should also offer some form of a guarantee for your purchases that no foreseeable action on their part or the part of the service provider will interrupt your travel. They cannot warrant against freak or random occurrences, but they can ensure that their own offerings are solid before offered.
Perhaps the best thing about using an online agency is the availability of customer reviews and feedback you can read before making a final purchase. Another nice convenience, for repeat customers, is the ability to create your own customer profile that allows you to save certain options in your preferences that will streamline future vacation planning. You can save time and hassle by storing any corporate or membership discount numbers, frequent flyer numbers and other pertinent information on your customer profile.
The expectations you hold for the online travel agency you select as a partner may be varied. If they can uphold these four basic standards of quality, you can be assured that you are getting sound representation and the best deals available.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Best Barbados Holiday Hotels: Pick Your Choices
- Cheap Holiday Hotels and Tips on Planning a Cheap Holiday Vacation.
- Four of the Finest Mauritius Holiday Hotels
- Holiday Hotel Deals
- Ideal Holiday Destination For Kiddies
- Cheap Bed & Breaksfast Hotels in Ramsgate Uk
- 4 Ways To Do Sport Also On Holiday
- Hotels In Sydney
How to Choose a Youth Hotel in Kenya
By: Wilson Maina | 05/01/2010Kenya is one of the most exciting cities in the world, remarkable because of the myriad of experiences it has to offer. It is also one of the least expensive and you can traveling on a tight budget. Consequently, Hotels in Kenya are probably the best choice for your stay. Fortunately the great variety of hotels in Kenya that it is possible to find a place to sleep without breaking the bank.
Things to Remember in African Safari Tour
By: Kevin J Smith | 05/01/2010If you are planning for an African Safari Tour, there are several things which you need to take care; these points will help you to make your tour a memorable one. Following are the basic but important points to be taken care of during the African Safari tour.
Where Should I Go for Adventure Travel Vacations
By: Samuel Christ | 05/01/2010When thinking of vacations, traditionally we think of fancy hotels, sandy beaches and filling up on too many alcoholic drinks. Or maybe we think of hi-rise buildings, expensive dining, Broadway Theater, and filling up on too many alcoholic drinks. Whatever the picture is, from a tropical Caribbean island getaway, to a cozy Bed + Breakfast near a secluded ski resort, in all likelihood, your vision does not include deep jungle biking through the forests of Guatemala, or underground cave tubing in Belize. Duende Tours
Traveling Tips of Air Travelers
By: iman jabr | 04/01/2010this essay includes ten easy tips for people traveling by air to facilitate their trips
Spring Break Time
By: Kim Kinis | 04/01/2010Spring break and bikinis go together like mom and apple pie.
5 Tips To Save Money in Orlando!
By: Rick Lockwood | 04/01/2010Here are a few tips that may save you some money on your trip to Orlando!
Vacation Planning – Get Ready for Summer
By: NitroBids | 04/01/2010It may be winter, but the summer travel season will be here before you know it. In order to get the best deals on the trips you want, you need to start planning now.
20 Great Things To Do In Miami
By: Rick Lockwood | 04/01/201020 Great Things To Do In Miami, if you need ideas on what to do in Miami, look no further. This article list 20 great things to do to have a fantastic time.
Jetlag and Flying Across Time Zones: How to Prepare
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | Travel TipsJetlag can put a real damper on your travel plans, leaving you feeling sick or sluggish when you want to be active and alert. Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure jetlag can be a major concern. It is important that you know the best ways to deal with the problem. While there is no definite "cure" for jetlag, there are ways to prepare your body for your flight.
How to Take Advantage of Down Time Between Flights
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | Travel TipsA flight layover is a common occurrence for frequent flyers. Some layovers only last for 15 or 30 minutes, while others can leave you with hours on your hands with nothing to do. Luckily, your layovers do not have to be boring, as long as you take the time to plan ahead and be prepared for the extra time between your flights.
How to Organize a First-rate Last Minute Vacation
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | Travel TipsMost people would agree that vacations require planning. Sometimes, however, a vacation opportunity presents itself which needs to be acted upon quickly before it becomes too late. It can be difficult to fully plan a vacation on very short notice, but a lot of this difficulty can be reduced if you know how to effectively plan a vacation at the last minute. Here are some suggestions that can make last minute vacations much easier to plan; you may also be able to save money on local attractions an
How to Find Cheap Flights to Top Destinations
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | Travel TipsWith the increasing cost of living these days, you need to save money whenever possible. So how can you apply this philosophy to airfare? There are many ways to obtain great prices on flights. Getting the best rates on airfare requires that you know a few simple tricks that can pay off significantly.
Details About Working With an Online Travel Agency
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | Travel TipsWhen you are looking to book your next vacation or your next business trip, you may be considering using an online travel agency. Before you decide to do so, however, you should be aware of what to expect from an online travel agency so you can determine how best to match that to your own unique needs.
Cruise Travel Agencies
By: Jeremy Foster | 12/11/2008 | CruisingWhen you are contemplating a cruise vacation, there are so many different options from which to choose. These options include determining the length of your cruise, your point of departure, the destinations you will visit, and the accommodations you desire once you are aboard the ship. Making those determinations, however, is just the beginning.
Slim Clip: Better Than an Ordinary Wallet
By: Jeremy Foster | 10/11/2008 | Tools & EquipmentThe slim clip is a product that offers many advantages over a traditional wallet. It is light and small enough that you can carry it around in your pocket, in your handbag or in your brief case. You should still be able to find it easily without going through your bag or tossing it inside and out. Those are two advantages that the Slim Clip offers over your ordinary wallet.