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	Choosing A Travel Agent
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

CREDENTIALS

• Do you have at least 5 years of experience working as a travel agent?
• Are you a Certified Travel Counselor through the ITCTA?
• Is your agency approved by the International Air Transport Association
• Is your agency approved by the Airline Reporting Corporation?
• Is this an owner-operated agency?
• Is your agency a member of the Better Business Bureau?
• Are you a member of the American Society of Travel Agents?
• Can you give me 5 client references that I may contact?

FINDING YOU THE DEALS

• Do you have preferred supplier agreements with any travel companies?
• Do you have agreements with any travel consolidators?
• Does your agency subscribe to the OAG electronic system for travel offers?
• Does your agency use 3 or more Computer Reservation Systems?
• How much time do you spend researching a request for the best deal?
• How do you stay abreast of new developments in the travel industry?

SERVICES

• Do you book mostly business travel or vacation trips?
• Can you deliver my tickets to me? Is there a charge?
• Do you keep my info (frequent flyer numbers, preferences, etc.) on file?
• Will you notify me of special offers that come up that might be of interest?
• Will you let me know of attractions, events, or services where I'm visiting?
• Can you make reservations for air, sea, bus, rail, cruises, and car rentals?
• Are you able to make both domestic and overseas reservations for me?
• Can you help me purchase travel and trip cancellation insurance?

YOUR RELATIONSHIP

• Does the travel agent make you feel comfortable?
• Is the agent accommodating and helpful on the phone?
• Is it easy to get in touch with the agent when you need him or her?
• Are you comfortable discussing your travel budget with the agent?
• Do you feel your agent gives you his or her full attention?
• Does the agent ask about your preferences, tastes, budget, and limitations?

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and NAPO Golden Circle Member. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her  Facebook profile.

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