Travel Agent FAQ

[Chicago Jake]

There has been a lot of banter back and forth lately with people searching for travel agent contact info. That's great, but given the thread meandering round these here parts, it's tough to go back and find the data when you need it! So I figured I'd collect it all into one sticky thread right here in the travel section.

Here is the data I have collected from previous posts and some quick web searches. I've listed them alphabetically by business name, to avoid appearing to endorse any one over the others. If anyone has better contact info, please let me know and I'll update the list (sort of a "wiki-FAQ").

Also, if you want to chime in and say something good (or bad) about any of these, or other, agents, feel free to add to the thread. I'll collect pertinent info and bring it up here to the top.

Hope this helps out!.......Jake


TNMC ENDORSED TRAVEL AGENTS WITH HEDO EXPERTISE:

Castaways Travel
[e-mail]
Telephone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Reservations only Phone [phone]
www.castawaystravel.com/

DennyP Travel
[e-mail]
phone toll-free: 877-DENNYPTravel
local & Canada: 602-867-0834
www.dennyp.com/dennyptravel

Global Discount Vacations
Dan and Pat Hill
6318 E. 96th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137-5045
Local: 918.298.3100
Toll Free: 800.966.0002
or 877.402.0534
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.globaldiscountvacations.com/

Global Dream Vacations
Pam Smith
1-877-342-5438
[e-mail]
www.globaldreamvacations.net/

Go Classy Tours
Lance and Kay Hutchinson
Internet Department Directors
Toll Free: 1-888-8CLASSY
1-888-825-2779
[e-mail]
www.goclassy.com/

The Travel Hub
Ed Hubbard
[e-mail]
631-254-2017
877-640-3265
Fax: [phone]
www.thetravelhub.net

[Ardbeg... innit]

Now if only we can get a deal by mentioning TNMC when we ask for a quote

[Chicago Jake]

Might be best to soft-pedal that little indiscretion......Jake

[pixiedust]

Jake, maybe you can edit the info in your post, here is Ed Hubbard's full info:

The Travel Hub

Edward Hubbard
Travel Agent

[e-mail]

631-254-2017

877-640-3265

Colleen

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks, Colleen. Question for you, though: you posted an 800 phone number for Dan Hill in another thread, but it's a different one from the one on his website. I've listed them both above, but I'm wondering if one or the other is obsolete.......Jake

[Merlot Joe]

bornagaindruid said:

Now if only we can get a deal by mentioning TNMC when we ask for a quote

That's like tell the guy you know me. Then run like hell.


Joe.

[pixiedust]

admin said:

Thanks, Colleen. Question for you, though: you posted an 800 phone number for Dan Hill in another thread, but it's a different one from the one on his website. I've listed them both above, but I'm wondering if one or the other is obsolete.......Jake

The last time I called the 877 number I think it worked, I may be firming up my booking for him so I'll double check. Also, he gave me his personal line to reach him directly at the agency at one point so maybe I screwed up and posted something I'm not supposed to.

Colleen

[JustIan]

Check out this website travelimpressions.com
They are tour operators not travel agents, so any travel agent that wants to deal with them can (I found them through AAA). They charge a little more than anyone else but check out their trip insurance:


Cancel For Any Reason & Travel Protection Plan
Our "Cancel For Any Reason" plan means exactly what it says. No hassles, no worries - a plan that we believe is the best in the industry. And now children can be covered at a lower price! Unlike other travel insurance plans that provide reimbursement only for cancellations due to medical reasons, the Travel Impressions plan provides your enrolled clients with a full refund in the event they need to cancel their trip for any reason right up to the departure time of the flight. The complete package is covered, including airfare regardless of ticketing penalties or airline regulations, if cancelled prior to departure.
The Cancel For Any Reason & Travel Protection Plan includes coverage for:
• Trip interruption should clients need to return home early for a covered reason.
• Protection against additional expenses in the event a covered weather delay.
• Reimbursement for lost or stolen baggage.
• Reimbursement for medical expenses incurred overseas. Many group health or primary medical insurance plans do not cover medical expenses incurred outside of the United States or the plan's covered territories.
We also offer 24-hour worldwide access to our hotline, in the event clients require emergency traveler's assistance during their vacation.
How much does the Cancel For Any Reason & Travel Protection Plan cost?
Trip Cost Per Person Plan Cost Per Person
all destinations except Europe Plan Cost Per Person
European destinations only
less than $999.99 $89 $109
$1000 - $1499.99 $99 $129
$1500 and higher $109 $129
Child Rate
0-12 Years Old $45 $45

[Robin Hood]

Here is the TA we use, she usually can beat any and all quotes from the above!!

Peru Travel Agency
1830 4th St.
Peru, IL 61354
815-224-4150

Ask for Becky!!

[Ardbeg... innit]

I am in the process of booking my Nov. Hedo II trip, and decided to test all of the above travel agents to see who would give the best deal, given my booking criteria.

I sent the following email to all of the agents listed above...

Hi

I am interested in a quote for a vacation stay at
Hedonism II, Negril, Jamaica.

I would like a Garden View Nude, Single Guarantee,
check in on November 10, 2006 check out November 18,
2006.

Questions and/or replies may be sent to this email
address or call XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Thank You

Pretty simple and to the point, except for the request for the single guarantee, which seemed to throw some. Here are the responses, in order of their listing above...

Castaways-
Really didnt seem to have any clue how to handle this one, so they gave me...

DATES OF TRAVEL: 11/10-18/2006
ROOM TYPE: RUN OF THE HOUSE
Resort Only: $2088.00 TOTAL FOR 2
Edited to add: I called to get a quote for the correct category and the $2088 was correct, it was just listed incorrectly as ROH for 2


DennyP-
OK I knew that this would get the auto-response "go to the website", but I needed to go through the process. After receipt of the "go to" email, I went to the web site, and filled out the form. MY EMAIL ADDRESS WAS REJECTED... no correction, every email address was rejected. I must be on a secret 'NO RESERVATION' black list... or the web site is broken. Sorry Denny, you had a second chance.
Editted to add: OK, maybe he didnt get a second chance since I knew that I would get rejected with a straight email. I attempted (again) his online form and was rejected. Following instructions, I emailled the address indicated.

Denny finally came through for me with a quote of $1980, though he states... "If you receive a lower quote from someone else, please let me know". Sorry Denny I bid on projects all the time, if I lose a bid because I padded the quote, thats my problem, if you could have given me a lower price, why didnt I get it the first time?


Global Discount Vacations
No reply. Second email attempt is in.
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I was out of town when your request came in and have been playing catch up ever since.

Per your request, for H2, eight nights, Nov 10-18, 2006, Garden View Nude, single Guarantee (a room to yourself) the price would be $1954.00.


Global Dream Vacations
OK, something I can work with...

Hedonism II, land only
Gardenview NUDE - Single Guarantee room
Nov 10 - 18
$1989


Go Classy Tours
Sorry Lance

Hedonism II -
Gardenview au naturel -
8 nights -
$1292 per person/double occupancy
Edited to add: I called to get a quote for the correct category and Lance quoted me $1939


The Travel Hub
And the winner is...

Thank you for your interest in The Travel Hub. For 8 nights Single
Guarantee in a Gardenview Nude room category for Nov 10 to Nov 18 the rate we can get you is $1884.


Incredibly, only 2 out of 5 (not counting Denny) even met my booking criteria. I would try a follow up with the 3 who didnt fully read/understand my request, and give Denny a call, BUT with other recomendations of Ed Hubbards prices, I figure why bother.

Well, I gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, and a second chance if needed, and true to my first intuition, Ed Hubbard will be getting my business today, with a quote that was $50 to $200 cheaper than everyone else.

Gordon

[Hazelita]

You're a smart one, Gord-o.

[Liz of Chris & Liz]

Glad we'll get a chance to see you for a few days in November!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn we should've worked on a November rate with Ed! Next year we will.

We'll be there 4th-13th.

Has everyone heard the "big rumor" about Anniversary & who Richard Bourke is trying to book to play?? Very thrilling, but I've had my run with Anniversary & it is just too damn busy then for me. Especially if the rumor becomes reality.

Liz

[Ardbeg... innit]

Thanks Hazel!

THATS GREAT LIZ... and it will be for more than a few hours this time too!!

[Chicago Jake]

If the rumor is Lenworth, they had that same rumor last year. And it didn't happen.

Re: Gordon's experiment. I've had very good service from Go Classy when calling them on the phone, and NO RESPONSE AT ALL when contacting them by email. Just one data point on each side, but I would call them if I really wanted a quote from them......Jake

[Liz of Chris & Liz]

No, not Lenworth. Jimmy Buffet. Who knows!

Updated to add: the rumor has been squashed by Hedo management. Just as expected! Another SC ploy to book rooms! LOL

Anyway.....here's another A+++ recommendation for Ed Hubbard. Just booked August 30-Sept 4th with a few other couples & Ed got us a GREAT rate....beat Go Classy (who never answered my email!), Denny & Castaways. Yeah!!

Liz