I'm sure we've all read at least one of those "Ten things your plumber want you to know" or "Top ten cat breeds for non-cat owners." This is a list that we adapted from a post we read and customized it for Trippin' with Jamie!
1) "I saw this trip for cheap on Groupon!"
Yes, you probably did. But did you look at the fine print? These deals often have blackout dates and other limitations on when you can travel, some are within a certain date of booking. Says it includes airfare? It might, but it's for a 2-layover flight from Houston to Mexico City and you live in DC. Tips, excursions, drinks, not included. Many times even trips that are advertised as all-inclusive still have limitations that would not otherwise apply if you booked through a travel agent. There is a reason the trips advertised on Groupon are so cheap.
2) "Why should I use Trippin' with Jamie when I can just book it online myself?"
If you're talking about ONLY domestic airfare, you're right. Those prices are fixed and a travel agent cannot provide much added benefit. However, if you're flying to a destination and then need a hotel or resort, rental car, excursions, or any other add-ons, using a travel agent CAN provide extra assistance. Trippin' with Jamie are your travel experts. Just like you are perfectly capable of filing your own taxes, many people still choose to use a tax accountant to make sure everything is done properly and nothing slips through the cracks. A travel agent is an expert in the field of travel. We make sure you get the most value for your money and that nothing slips through the cracks. Are you capable of booking your trips online on your own? Yes. But give us the chance to use our expertise to help you maximize the value of your trip and take care of the little details.
3) "I get a discount because we're friends, right?"
Remember, Trippin' with Jamie does not change anything extra to help you plan your trip. While there may be a booking fee for complicated itineraries, that fee will go toward the total cost of the trip. When we book you a trip, the commission that normally would go back to the companies providing your services comes to us as your agent. We do not charge you extra for our services, and because of that, if we were to give a discount, we would have to cover the difference ourselves. We are often able to find you better value than you might on your own because we have access to agent-only deals, so consider that our gift to you!
4) "I am willing to spend $XXX on airfare and no more."
Okay, we will do what we can to find you a flight for that price, but sometimes what we want is not available. Flights with layovers are typically cheaper than non-stop which can save money. Being flexible with departure or destination cities can also provide options to help you save money. However, if you want a non-stop flight from a specific city to your dream destination, there is only so much we can do.
5) "Do you travel all the time?"
We do enjoy traveling! If we didn't like to travel we wouldn't be in the business! That being said, no, we are not taking your calls from a beach resort in the Caribbean. We spend our time in front of a computer focused on our search engines to find you the best deals. Many times we get ideas for our own travel based on the trips that we book for you!
6) "My dream trip is a cruise around Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Hawaii on the way home. I want everything included, and I can spend $3000 total for a family of 5."
Good luck. We are travel agents, and we will do our best to find you the best deal, but we cannot create discounts that are not realistic. If your dream trip and your budget don't line up, then you either need to adjust your expectations or save for a bit longer. We want to help you, but we have not yet found the destination where money grows on trees. Until then, we can only do so much.
7) "I just want the cheapest price."
We are not looking to up-sell you or try to get you to spend more money for no reason. If we suggest something that may not necessarily be the cheapest options, ask us why. Remember, Trippin' with Jamie is about the best VALUE for your money. The cheapest hotel may have really bad reviews, a bed bug problem, and be in a bad part of town. If you're looking for the lowest price, we can certainly book it for you, but there might be another hotel 5 minutes away for not much more that is a much nicer option. We want you to enjoy your trip, so we are looking for value that fits in your budget.
8) "All these custom fees, tips, and luggage charges are ridiculous. There's no way I'm paying that!"
If you don't want to pay luggage fees, don't check a bag. If you don't want to pay daily resort tips, don't choose an all-inclusive resort. If you don't want to pay customs fees, don't travel internationally. There are certain fees in the travel industry that are non-negotiable. We do not set them and cannot change them. The airlines, resorts, and countries set these fees. If you don't want to have to pay these extras, you will need to choose a trip that avoids them.
9) "Can I have your personal cell number so I can contact you whenever anything goes wrong?"
We want you to have the best vacation possible, and we will do everything we can during the planning to ensure your trip goes smoothly. However, we realize that things can go wrong. Trippin' with Jamie will give you an emergency number that can be used to contact us if there are major problems. However, please do not call us for every little issue. Remember, when you are on vacation, you are onsite. We are still in our home office. We want to help as much as we can, but often it is easier for you to talk with the hotel manager yourself.
10) "Thanks for your help in planning! I'm going to book it online tonight."
While we are glad to help and want you to have the vacation you dreamed of, please recognize that at Trippin' with Jamie, our only income comes from booking trips. If you are not going to book through us, we lose money helping you plan since we are taking time away from other clients. The travel industry is a difficult business since there are so many options available to the general public online. If that is the way you would like to book your trip, you are free to do so. But please do not waste our time asking us to spend time to research options for you, then go book elsewhere.
Of course, there is one thing we always want to hear: "Book'em Dano (Jamie)!"
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