How do I find a travel agent? And do I want one?

[TKay]

I have been trying to plan a trip to Maui for months now. I have been so frustrated with coordinating flights and rooms and blah, blah, blah. It's my whole family that's going (two kids, dh and myself, plus my sister). Should I just have a travel agent plan this for me? And if so, how do I go about finding one? Should I have more than one agent give me ideas? I'm about ready to just call somebody out of the phone book. (We have a choice of three nearby airports to travel from and our dates of travel are fairly open--so the choices kind of overwhelm me. I'll look up one thing and then have to write everything down to compare it to something else just a few days later.)
Anyone?

[Robyn1007]

You might try PMing Missindi, she's a travel agent with her own business.

[donleyk]

Not a AAA member? They're okay to deal with. Otherwise you might want to check with your local BBB and go from there. Missindi is a nice idea as well.

[TKay]

Hey, thanks! That's a great idea. Also, I am a AAA member, but when I've tried them before, I wasn't too thrilled with what they found. It might be worth another try though. Thanks.

[misskitty100]

I have found the people at Costco Travel to be very helpful. Of course, you need to be a member of Costco and stay at one of the properties they are promoting. They do airfare too but only if you get your hotel thru them as well.

[Deechef]

If you pay my way, I'll plan the trip for you :D
I'll be flying from Connecticut :eek:

[TKay]

If you pay my way, I'll plan the trip for you :D
I'll be flying from Connecticut :eek:

Now there's a thought. Let me think about it and get back to you. :D

[Jazzmatazz49]

We called a travel agent to plan our summer trip, but couldn't seem to arouse much interest on her part. So we finally just went to Expedia and did it ourselves quite easily.

[MISSINDI]

Robyn, thanks for thinking of me. :) As I just mentioned to TKay in a PM, there was recently a piece in Smart Money magazine about how travel agents are still the way to go. The piece is here (http://www.smartmoney.com/mag/index.cfm?story=june2007-travel), if you are interested in reading it. A lot of the times, it's a question of the TA having the time to research the trip, and knowing the best way to pull it together. Not all the best deals are online. :) Hope this helps!

[Robyn1007]

No problem Cate! Maybe one of these days I'll get to plan a trip for myself and be able to use your services.

[TKay]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I'm working with Missindi on putting a trip together--so thanks for the referral Robyn! Finally this trip is turning into a treat rather than a hassle. Why didn't I do this sooner? :rolleyes:

[Gumbeaux]

Here's (http://www.aavacations.com/Consumer/aavspcfc.asp?BROCHURE=B5) a site I've used before to book vacations to Maui. You can seamlessly book a hotel/condo, airfare, rental car, and other stuff all on one site.

[TKay]

Here's (http://www.aavacations.com/Consumer/aavspcfc.asp?BROCHURE=B5) a site I've used before to book vacations to Maui. You can seamlessly book a hotel/condo, airfare, rental car, and other stuff all on one site.

Cool, thanks. This will help me research too.

[Deechef]

:( :( :( :( :( ..........Have fun:)

[Gumbeaux]

Don't miss the road to Hana; my favorite thing to do on Maui. :)


http://www.alohanana.com/images/road_to_hana.jpg

[TKay]

Okay, NOW I'm getting excited. I can't wait to see that, Gumbeaux! Thanks.
And Deechef, why so blue? I said I would think about it. :D

[cminmd]

I used to live in Hawaii and for some reason Hawaii is booked almost exclusively by travel agents. They are big on the tour, group, rebooker phenomena. They can usually get better rates, particularly if you are going for the whole enchillada like car, flight + room. We would even book our flights home through Hawaii Hana, a travel agency, and we are usually self bookers on the internet. We would call HHana first, then try to get a better rate online, then usually end up going back to the Hana. Strange! TA's can also usually book a better room because the hotels want to keep the agents happy because they book so much business.