Booking Tips

This section is aimed at people who are taking either a prepackaged tour or independent vacation.  There are also a great number of useful links to reputable companies as well as links to organisations designed to help you, the consumer.

Prepackaged tours or independent vacations are a very popular way of purchasing your ideal vacation because everything is prearranged, you'll spend less time planning and it can make your trip less expensive and more hassle-free.

Making a booking with an agent

Travel agents are excellent resources for vacations and some tour operators will only accept bookings made through travel agents.  The only drawback is the relationship between tour operators and travel agents may influence the decisions the travel agent wants you to make.  For this reason it is a good idea to collect brochures from several agencies.

Some good points to follow are :

Make sure your travel agent knows the accomodations and other services.

Ask about the hotel's location, room size, beds, and whether it has a pool, room service, or programs for children, if you care about these.

Has your agent been there in person or sent others you can contact.

Do some homework.  Local tourism boards can provide information about lesser-known and small-niche operators, some of which may sell only directly to consumers.

If you have a special interest in the type of vacation you want you can find an agent with expertise in that area by linking to ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) who have a database of specialist agents worldwide.

Buyer Beware

Check out the operator you will use by finding out how long the company has been in business and ask several travel agents about its reputation.  Why?  Each year consumers are stranded, or lose their money, when tour operators, even large ones, go out of business.  Be skeptical of very low prices and try to book with a company that offers a customer-protection program or ask from references from satisfied customers.

In the U.S., members of the National Tour Association and United States Tour Operators Association are required to set aside funds to cover your payments and travel arrangements in case the company defaults. It's also a good idea to choose a company that participates in the American Society of Travel Agent's Tour Operator Program (TOP). This gives you a forum if there are any disputes between you and your tour operator; ASTA will act as mediator.

Costs

The more your package or tour includes, the better you can predict the ultimate cost of your vacation. Make sure you know exactly what is covered, and beware of hidden costs. Are taxes, tips, and service charges included? Transfers and baggage handling? Entertainment and excursions? These can add up.

Prices for packages and tours are usually quoted per person, based on two sharing a room. If traveling solo, you may be required to pay the full double-occupancy rate. Some operators eliminate this surcharge if you agree to be matched with a roommate of the same sex, even if one is not found by departure time.

Group Tours

Among companies that sell tours, the following have a proven reputation and offer plenty of options. The classifications used below represent different price categories, and you'll probably encounter these terms when talking to a travel agent or tour operator. The key difference is usually in accommodations, which run from budget to better, and better-yet to best.

Packages

Like group tours, independent vacation packages are available from major tour operators and airlines. The companies listed below offer vacation packages in a broad price range.

Theme Trips

For a comprehesive list of tour operators that offer themed trips, see our Theme Trips section.