Christopher Elliott, Special for USA TODAY10:43 a.m. EDT June 16, 2014
The flying public is being deceived by marketing ploys to believe that online booking engines have cheaper fares than the airlines. It simply is not true. The variation in pricing is due to a playing around with the taxes and fees. Any airline ticket agent or gate agent who daily prices fares and does ticket exchanges knows that. Also the practice of call online booking engines a "TRAVEL AGENCY" is also misleading. The online booking engines customer service representative is NOT A "TRAVEL AGENT". A professional travel agent is a knowledgeable person who has stayed in the all-inclusive resort, sailed a the cruise line who shares experiences that will save the customer money on their vacation. This bill is misleading just as this article. The traveling public is being duped into believing the new marketing terminology that is going to cost them thousands of dollars on their vacations and travels.
Timeline Markers (4:39) allow you to click on the numbers and go the part of the video for the conversation on a specific topic.
Guests Interview:
0:43 - 4:38
Guest Host Idella Fatou, Travel Agent of AARCO Travel Agency
AARCO Travel & Tours
2226 East 71st Street
Chicago, IL 60649
773-363-9500
Specializing in Travel to Africa for over 20 years Booking group travel, churches, family reunions, cruises, airfares, hotels, car rentals
19:41
Traveling To The Caribbean International Checklist
20:10
AARCO Travel Agency Idella Fatou's Travel Tips
1) Need a Passport
2) Check Shots and Immunizations Requirements
3) Check with your Health Physician
4) Pack Light
5) International Flight to Europe, Africa, South Africa - Baggage is Free
6) Mexico and Caribbean - Baggage Fees
21:13 - 22:56
Janice Temple: New Baggage Limitation Sizes
24:05
Janice Temple: Get the Global Entry Card with TSA Pre-clear
25:31
Idella Fatou: How to act when going through Customs
29:39 - 30:34
Guest Idella Fatou of AARCO Travel Agency
30:35 -
Caribbean Travel Checklist Recap
Customs & Immigrations
Global Entry
31:36 - 35:19
Idella Fatou: AARCO Travel Agency
October 7, 2014 - 21 Day Trip to Africa: Dakkar, Senegal; Robben Island, South Africa; Safari in Zimbabwe
Depart South African Airways from Washington, DC
Visit Dakkar, Senegal (Visa Required): Goree Island, Renaissance Statue,
South Africa: Johannesburg, Capetown - Robben Island site of Nelson Mandela Prison Cell; Safari; Johannesburg - Soweto; Zimbabwe (Visa Required) Elephant Ride; Victoria Falls (One of Seven Wonders of the World)
Caribbean International Checklist
35:20 - 36:54
Passport vs. Passport Card
37:00 - 38:00
Janice Temple: Johnny Jet advised passengers to avoid Newark Airport
38:10 - 38:58
30- year Veteran Travel Agent Idella Fatou answers What is the definition of a Travel Agent / Travel Agency?
Travel Agent is friendly, you can call a travel agent when you get stranded in another country, travel agent helps you with your documents, you can call and ask questions.
We are here for you. We can do for you.
38:59 -
AARCO Travel Agency discloses all fees.
"What you don't know about your ticket can cost you"
Christopher Elliott, Special for USA TODAY10:43 a.m. EDT June 16, 2014
Janice Temple: The flying public is being deceived by marketing ploys to believe that online booking engines have cheaper fares than the airlines. It simply is not true. The variation in pricing is due to a playing around with the taxes and fees. Any airline ticket agent or gate agent who daily prices fares and does ticket exchanges knows that. Also the practice of call online booking engines a "TRAVEL AGENCY" is also misleading. The online booking engines customer service representative is NOT A "TRAVEL AGENT". A professional travel agent is a knowledgeable person who had stayed in the all-inclusive resort, sailed a the cruise line who shares experiences that will save the customer money on their vacation. This bill is misleading just as this article. The traveling public is being duped into believing the new marketing terminology that is going to cost them thousands of dollars on their vacations and travels.
39:00 - 40:54
Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity are being called travel agencies. Those are not travel agencies.
40:54 -
Janice Temple: How to purchase a domestic ticket
43:04 - 44:08
Janice Temple: A lot of times people complain about travel agency fees. What do you get in exchange for paying a fee to talk to a travel agent?
Idella Fatou: Personality! When you come to our travel agency we greet you with warmth and hospitality. When you go online you just sit there.
44:15
Janice Temple: Hot Topics A representative at Priceline being called a travel agent or a representative at Orbitz being called a travel agent.
44:28- 45:15
Idella Fatou: They are not travel agencies. They are just consolidators who are out to book as many tickets as they can.
45:16 -
Janice Temple: Most people when they go online to book a ticket, they truly don't know how to book a ticket. As a flight attendant, I have had many people who say "I have a tight connection", " I have a 40 minute connection".
Idella Fatou: Guaranteed missed flight!
Janice Temple: The rule used to be 90 minutes for a connecting flight!
Idella Fatou: Yes!
Janice Temple: But the public doesn't know that! They are getting 40 minute connections.
If you want to call in and join the conversation you can call us at 312-754-4333.
48:02
Janice Temple: Another question I had asked by a friend was on accessible travel. I
49:04
Idella Fatou: Yes, it is very inconvenient for the passenger because they load them from the back of the plane, not up the stairs.
49:26
Janice Temple: i know that I have had quite a few passengers that preboard with wheelchairs. I have had even wheelchair basketball teams on my flight. We had to load 60 wheelchairs.
Idella Fatou; Oh wow!
Janice Temple: That took about an hour to do. It is quite common for people to request wheelchairs.
Idella Fatou: One good thing about the wheelchair you are the first one loaded on to the plane.
Janice Temple: Yes, they do preboard.
Idella Fatou: Yes, that's one good thing. That is not very hard to do, call the airlines and get a wheelchair.
Janice Temple: That is true, you should definitely tip people. It makes a big difference in the level of service you receive as well.
51:53
Use a reward card to purchase your airline, hotel, resort, cruise
Purchase directly with airline and get your points
I want to talk about purchasing airline tickets with rewards cards. You can use airline credit card or a debit card.
52:34
Idella Fatou: Most definitely, you can go from cabin A, all the way to the top.
53:29
Janice Temple: Let's talk a little bit about Funjet Vacations and Apple Vacations. Those are Vacation Specialist!
Idella Fatou: Most definitely, they take us (travel agents) on FAM trips.
54:30
Janice Temple: Definitely look for the Funjet Vacations specials, I will definitely be posting some on The Skychi Travel Guide Blog.
54:52
Janice Temple: Idella has an upcoming trip to Africa. So tell people a little bit about your trip again.
Idella Fatou: We don't only have trips to Africa.
55:54
Janice Temple: Thank you so much for that Idella. I appreciate you joining with us today.
We want to thank you for joining with us on UBM Talk on www.UrbanBroadcastMedia.com.
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Ciao!
Goodbye!
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