Travel agents give virtuoso performance

To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of travel agencies have been greatly exaggerated.

Even in this electronic age when anyone with an Internet connection can access computer systems worldwide to research destinations, compare travel options, make reservations and coordinate a host of other details from the comfort of home, most trips are still arranged by travel agents.

In fact, according to the American Society of Travel Agents, its members sell 87 percent of cruises, 81 percent of all tours and packages, 51 percent of airline tickets, 47 percent of all hotels and 45 percent of all car rentals.

Although virtually all travel agents charge fees for their trip planning services, that can be money very well spent. Good travel agents do more than offer insights, find low fares and convenient itineraries, provide coherent documentation and help ensure that all the controllable details of a trip go smoothly.

They also can negotiate with airlines, hotels and cruise lines for better rates or space that is otherwise sold out. They can get discounted consolidator tickets on international flights and, sometimes, on domestic flights. They can proactively monitor your trip plans and tell you if better itineraries or fares come along. They can get the best seat and cabin pre-assignments. They will be available for emergencies and flight changes and act as your advocate in any dispute or problem resolution. Most important, they can provide personal service and knowledge to plan trips to your preferences.

It's no exaggeration to say that finding and establishing a working relationship with a good travel agency can be the single most efficient way to make the most of your travel opportunities.

Of course, identifying a good agency can be a challenge in these days when virtually anyone can set up shop selling or repackaging trips. Many agencies also specialize in particular types of travel or areas of expertise, from cruises to business travel to specific regions of the world.

Although there is no official accreditation required for travel agencies, established companies generally belong to one or more industry organizations such as ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), ARTA (Association of Retail Travel Agents), or CLIA (Cruise Line International Association). But membership in these groups is no guarantee of expertise or commitment to individualized service. Any of the dozens of travel agencies listed in the Yellow Pages probably can arrange simple trips, but more discerning travelers may require more expertise.

The size of the office isn't everything. A local agency may be a branch of a larger travel company or a consortium that extends the range of offered services. For example, AAA, Carlson Wagonlit and Liberty are multibranch travel companies that can offer resources unavailable at unaffiliated agencies.

Another cadre of travel agencies worth mentioning are the independently owned agencies that have survived the economic tribulations of the past decade by providing the kind of specialized services that differentiate expert consultants from order-takers. These companies have survived this battle of the fittest because they've been consistently good at what they do.

Some of these agencies have banded together in groups to maximize their positions and buying power. For example, there's Virtuoso, a by-invitation-only group that links more than 300 top independent luxury travel agencies in North and South America. Through exclusive programs, agreements, services and networks, it enables member agencies to extend the best offers from top suppliers to demanding travelers.

Virtuoso's membership lists 11 agencies in Pennsylvania, including four in this corner of the state: Gulliver's Travels, Shadyside; Frontiers Elegant Journeys, Wexford; Hyde Travel, Sewickley; and the most recent member, Worldview Travel, Mt. Lebanon.

If you're looking for established expertise in travel planning, any of these would be a good addition to your list of considerations. For more information: www.virtuoso.com.