Travel Agent Secrets - How to Plan Your Vacation Like a Pro

By Linda Beth Jones

A step-by-step guide to planning great vacations. Learn the tips and tricks professionals use to save time and money. Also includes information on the travel industry and how to work the system to create your ideal vacation at the best price.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Beth Jones
• Release date: Jul 24, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452365626

Linda Beth Jones

Linda Beth Jones is an ex-Travel Agency Owner that was responsible for the training and support of several Agents nationwide. She received the Certified Travel Agent (CTA) designation from the Travel Institute as well as Destination Specialist status. Today, she no longer sells travel but still enjoys teaching people how to save money and time planning their vacations.

Book preview

TRAVEL AGENT SECRETS

How to Plan Your Vacation Like a Pro

by Linda Beth Jones CTA, DS

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Linda Beth Jones on Smashwords

Travel Agent Secrets

How to Plan Your Vacation Like a Pro

Copyright © 2010 by Linda Beth Jones

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

******

Contents

Introduction

Part I – Ground Rules

Chapter 1

What Do Travel Agents Do and Why Do You Need Their Secrets?

Chapter 2

How Do Travel Suppliers Really Work?

Chapter 3

Comparing the Options

Part II - Pre-Planning

Chapter 4

When and How to Hit the Road

Chapter 5

When to Plan

Chapter 6

How to Choose Where to Stay, Eat, and Play

Part III - Where to Get Prices and Make Reservations

Chapter 7

If You Need a Package

Chapter 8

If You Only Need a Flight

Chapter 9

If You Only Need a Rental Car

Chapter 10

If You Only Need a Hotel

Chapter 11

Cruises

Chapter 12

Activities/Attractions/Excursions

Chapter 13

A Word about Travel Insurance

Part IV – The Ultimate Do-it-Yourself

Chapter 14

Becoming a Travel Agent

Afterword

*****

Introduction

Planning a vacation today is like trying to choose what to eat from a 500-page menu at a great restaurant. There are simply too many choices!

Where should you start? What’s the best way to get the information you need? How are you supposed to know where to get the best deal when everyone claims they have it?

There are literally millions of websites about travel, but most have the same generic sales pitch rather than honest feedback and reviews. Frankly, I’d like to find out the truth behind the sales pitch so I know if a cruise, hotel, or activity is really as good as they claim.

Getting confused just thinking about it? Well my friend, you’ve chosen the right book. Within these pages you will find loads of information to help you sort through the confusion, find the best prices, and get real information. When you are finished here, you will be able to plan vacations like a pro!

Why should you listen to me? Travel planning is something I’ve been interested in my entire life. I caught the travel bug from my family, which made a point of traveling as much as possible every year. In high school I would spend time at travel agencies browsing through brochures and asking questions. Later, in early 2000, I found a way to become a Travel Agent from home. I was able to jump in right away and learn the ropes. In 2004 I started my own agency and began training Agents nationwide. I am a Certified Travel Agent (CTA) through The Travel Institute (the industry’s primary training entity) and