3. Evaluating Price in a Mailer or Brochure: 
"Eleven travel company ads found at Boston area colleges found widespread deceptive and misleading advertising . . . all eleven "spring break" flyers were filled with hidden, confusing and misleading fees. On the average, the true cost of an advertised travel package was 39% HIGHER than what was advertised." "Be aware that hidden fees and terms and conditions that are difficult to read are commonplace . . . read these flyers critically." "(Additional) fees include international departure taxes, processing fees, peak week surcharges, late booking fees, credit card fees, and departure city surcharges."

Price is Determined by Several Factors:

  * Hotels are rated by "stars" (0 to 5) plus the terms, "Tourist," "First Class" and "Deluxe." The following items determine the rating of Top-of-the-line 5-star Deluxe Hotels.

-- Size of the room
-- Furniture including easy chairs plus soothing decor
-- Choice of twin or king size beds
-- Availability of connecting rooms or suites
-- Size and pleasantness of the bathroom
-- Amenities such as lotions, soaps, shampoo and conditioner
-- Wash cloths, abundant towels and hair dryer
-- Jacuzzi and/or walk in shower
-- Bathroom vanity will be large enough for two people and their personal toiletries
-- Plenty of large mirrors
-- Room service and dining rooms with choice of restaurants
-- Shops for general personal supplies plus fine quality shops
-- Bell boys to handle your luggage
-- Concierge desk to assist you with foreseen and unforeseen needs such as medical services, repairs, contacts for business or entertainment
-- Business centers with Internet, fax and printing available
-- Each room with a data connection for personal computer
-- At least one telephone line, (many have two lines)
-- Guaranteed no smoking floor and rooms
-- No smoking dining rooms
-- Credit your stay on your "Mileage" or "Points" account
-- Upgrading of your room when possible

Tourist Class Hotels Quality Can Vary widely in different countries. What is acceptable in the USA such as a Holiday Inn Express or Best Western hotel with continental breakfast for simple and clean lodging may not have its equal in foreign countries. Cheaper travel packages will usually have motels with no luggage service, no dining room and no amenities.

The age of the facility and time since last renovation will make a great difference in the cleanliness of the halls leading to your room. Older carpets and bedding can be a problem for many people. Generally, the cheaper hotels are a greater distance from the center of activity, shopping and restaurants. Often, they have no dining facilities.

Beware when flyers do NOT list the hotels, meals and tips. Look for and READ the small print . . . How many in a room? As an example, a recently advertised 12-day LDS Church History Tour for only $1299.00 seemed unbelievable. It was!

The small print actually said, "four persons to a room." At an average of $50 per room, each person pays $12.50 per night. Multiplied by 12 nights equals $150.00. However, every one opted to pay extra for only two persons per room. THE ADDED COST was another $150.00 per person!

Does the hotel have a dining room or restaurant? How many meals are actually provided? The same tour did not include any meals other than "coffee or hot chocolate and a roll" for breakfast. If you wanted a healthier breakfast (if it was even available), would be an average cost of $5.50 each and multiplied 12 days. THE ADDED COST was another $66.00 per person!

Lunches on the road, even at fast food places could run an average of $5.00, multiplied 12 times. THE ADDED COST was another $60.00 per person!

Evening meals can average $8.50 each, multiplied 12 times. THE ADDED COST was another $102.00 per person! The tips for the coach driver averaged $2.00 a day per person, multiplied by 12 days. THE ADDED COST was another $24.00!
Added tips for local guides would be another $2.00. The $1299.00 tour was actually more than $1700.00 per person! Read all the fine print carefully. Ask questions, if you do not get detailed answers you may be misled or deceived.

* Air Transportation can be by single or twin engine propeller or turbo prop airplanes for shorter distances. They are smaller (six to 30 seats), slower, noisier and subject to more turbulence. Medium distances may be covered by small but faster regional jets (40 to 57 seats). Larger jet aircraft (100 to 450 seats) usually have economy, business class and/or first class seating.

Determine how much leg room is available per seat and how many seats in a row. A cramped seat pitch is 26 inches. Most major airlines provide 31 inches. Delta and American have promoted 34 and 35 inches separation between seats, but may be reducing that due to cost and seat number considerations. Cramped flights with as many as three to five seats across may be cheaper. If you need more room and wider seats for comfort, ask if you can upgrade by paying more or using your "mileage points."

Lack of simple amenities such as pillows, blankets or meals may be part of the reason for cheaper flights in the travel package. Sometimes, cheaper deals are accomplished by taking several smaller flights with no amenities. One LDS Church History Tour flew from Salt Lake City to New York, a normal three and a half hour flight, by stopping in Kansas City over night and then continuing to New York the next day. Luggage had to be handled twice, security screening was endured twice, and two days of a "12-day tour" were lost in transit!

* Ship or Cruise Transportation prices can vary widely depending on the age of the ship and size and location of cabins. The cheapest prices are often inside with an obstructed view or no window and on the lowest decks of the ship.

Some tour operators buy a block of these rooms and have no way to upgrade the size or location of their cabins. Shore excursions are always an extra cost. Most shore excursions are arranged by the ships and include lengthy shopping breaks taking valuable time from touring. They do not include tips for guides and drivers.

Tipping for ships’ staff is always extra. Count on tipping the Maitre D., waiters, busboys, maids and bellboys handling luggage. Transfers to and from the ship can be an extra cost. Port charges and visa fees can add hundreds of dollars in costs.

4. If it Seems Too Good to Be True, it Probably Is:
Be skeptical. "If you've been offered a great bargain on a cruise or resort vacation, but you can't seem to get all the details about it unless you pay the company, you may be dealing with a travel scam."

 True, you might miss a legitimate deal, but chances are you'll save yourself time and money by avoiding what oftentimes turn out to be scams. Says the AAA, "Consumers should be aware of high-pressure sales tactics requiring an on-the-spot decision." Overall, when a customer is choosing a travel agent or tour operator or is concerned about an offer, verification through the local Better Business Bureau or consumer protection office is a good idea.

5. Seek for experts with professional associations:
Ask about your agent's or tour operator’s professional background. These days, consumers making travel plans are faced with an abundance of choices, including the Internet, guide books, newspapers and magazines. So, it helps to choose an agent who belongs to a professional association including the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA) and International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN),

They hold members to a code of ethics and operate active consumer affairs departments which monitor travelers' problems and help to find solutions. Finding certified travel agents can be as simple as looking under "travel agencies" in a phone book or asking a friend for a referral. But regardless of how you find a travel agent, you should check out his or her qualifications and areas of specialty before you start making plans.

While there are good travel agents and tour operators who don't have formal training or certification, it's in your best interest to seek out those who do belong to reputable trade associations and carry credentials. Their credentials establish that they have experience working in the travel industry and are trained in sound business practices.

Keep in mind, though, that while you can make complaints to these associations regarding their members, choosing a registered member is a safeguard--not a guarantee--against fraud or negligence. If you look for travel agents in a phone book or find ads in travel magazines or online, you'll probably notice abbreviations such as CTA, CTC, or CLIA. These specific ones are all good signs.

Note: If you have a dispute with a travel agent in the United States, the Better Business Bureau may be able to help. Check the business pages in a phone book, or use a search engine to find their website.

6. Ask the right questions:
* Which services do you charge for and how much will they cost?
* How much commission will you charge for booking airplane, train, or cruise tickets, or reserving a rental car?
* Which services (if any) are free of charge? Will there be any processing fees or other additional fees? Don't be surprised by your bill.
* To avoid travel hassles, ask your tour operator what is done to alleviate your stress, baggage handling, and long waits for flights because many on your tour have different flight times.

7. Meet with agents, consultants or tour operators:
Shopping for travel arrangements is a lot like shopping for a car; if you're too eager to jump on a deal right away, it's easy to leave common sense at the doorstep. When you do meet with travel agents in person, don't feel obligated to purchase anything. Yes, their time is valuable, but until they've earned your business, all you owe them is common courtesy.

Schedule an appointment to meet with an agent if you have a lot of questions, or stop by when the agent isn't swamped with other customers (call first to make sure the agent is free). If the agent still doesn't take the time to answer all your questions, consider that a bad sign and politely excuse yourself.

As you start to discuss travel options with an agent you like, keep these guidelines in mind:

* Don't rely on verbal agreements alone.
* Don't assume your accommodations will look as spectacular as they do in the glossy brochures.
* Always read the paperwork carefully before you sign anything, especially when it comes to package deals.
* If you're told you'll receive first-class tickets, a specific room on a cruise ship, or a certain type of rental car, these details should be listed on all agreements you sign.

Finding a good travel agent might sound a little complicated at first, but it could simplify your life tremendously. Letting a qualified professional take over should help your next business trip run like clockwork or make your next vacation even more exciting or relaxing.

8. Look for Specialists:
Some agencies specialize in religious tours or senior tours, some specialize in cruises, some specialize in --roup tours and incentive conventions, and some . . . well, you get the picture, the list is endless. These agencies have more options available because they deal with exclusive itineraries.

They are particularly useful if you are keen on a certain type of holiday such as cruising and want to familiarize yourself with every possible type of water excursion from barging, to sailing, to yachting. They also occasionally have a better deal because of the volume of bookings they do with tour planners.

Other agencies have something for all and can still offer you the perfect cruise. Ask about shore options, price options, days at sea, age of passengers, size of ships, and ports of call.

For bus excursions, inquire about length of stopovers, lists of attractions, miles per day, rating of accommodations, meals that are included, and extras that are not covered in the fare.

Read the brochures thoroughly when you find a holiday package you like, including the terms and conditions regarding such important details as cancellation insurance, liability claims and legal insurance.

9. Look for Experience:
Preferably, the agent or someone in the office will have actually traveled to the proposed destination. Resort and tour planners offer familiarization trips for that very reason. However, this is not always possible. Therefore, you will need to rely on his or her knowledge and professionalism. Since most vacation disasters happen because the visitor is disappointed with the accommodation, it is the agent's responsibility to prepare the client for any potential misunderstandings, for example, a Church History Tour which drops you off at sites to see on your own instead of providing an experienced guide.

Mishaps such as over-booking, lost reservations and delayed flights cannot always be avoided. However, qualified agents should be constantly updating themselves on the reputation of various destinations from their previous clients, and the tour planners who put the packages together.

A good travel agent will provide you with insight that could be to your advantage. They attend trade shows and go on familiarization trips regularly. They read through the mountains of printed material that come their way almost daily. They have knowledge about new and upcoming holiday packages, flight plans, hotels, and vacation destinations. In other words, a good agent is well informed.

10. Clark Howard's Consumer Action Center's Tips:
* Don't accept free trips for which you have to pay any fee.
* Buy travel from a local travel agent who is a member of the ARC, Airline Reporting Corp., or IATAN, the International Air Transport Association Network.
* Pay for travel only on a credit card. You'll be able to get a refund if the company goes out of business.
* There's a big difference among travel agent’s outlooks and specialties. Choose one who's good at the trips you take most often.
* If price is your main consideration, it's especially important to choose a travel agent who will take a few minutes to help you and offer you different options.
* Never call an airline directly to buy tickets. Many try to sell the traveler the most expensive ticket the traveler will buy.
* Many travel agents now charge a modest fee for their services, but the fee is worth paying.
* When you buy a cruise, use a travel agent who specializes in cruises.
* Be realistic: you get what you pay for. Don't expect luxury at bargain basement prices.

11. Make Comparisons:
Beware when flyers say or intimate . . . "look no further . . ." Ask and look for more information online or in written material. If the ad or brochure gives sparse factual information it may be because the vendor wants people to telephone their trained representative who will discourage comparison shopping, "because once on the line, you are susceptible to sophisticated sales techniques pressuring you to buy their trip immediately."

Read your invoice. Understand the purpose of each fee.

Research the company before sending money. Ask friends if they know anyone who has used this company before. Call the Attorney General’s office to find out if complaints have been made against them. Beware of cancellation policies.

12. Handicapped or Disability Assistance:
The Air Carrier Access Act guarantees that people with disabilities will receive consistent and nondiscriminatory treatment when traveling by air. What does your tour operator provide for your assistance? Do the hotels have simple handicapped access (even if you don’t use a wheelchair)?

13. You Have Legal Rights:
To get good service from the travel industry, or even just enforcement of your legal rights, insist on it. Does your tour operator provide you the possibility of medical, travel, lost baggage or legal insurance? 

If the travel or tour operator does not offer legal insurance, he probably doesn’t want you to have protection for his deficiencies. There can be no substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer. Just as health and travel insurance is available from your travel agency, ask for a service that shields you from Identity Theft, provides Legal Reviews on any contract, offers Legal Help for overbooked, bumped or cancelled flights/hotels or services. It is wise to have a legal will or trust in place.

14. Test Travel Comfort Zone with Simple Quiz:
Rate how much you agree with the following statements. The results of this quiz may provide you with some clues about how ready you are to travel.

If your total score ranged from 9 to 12, then you might not be ready to travel just now. Consider for a moment what the benefits of traveling might be: taking a break for yourself, seeing a new place, meeting interesting people. You may want to consider an escorted tour, where you travel with a guide and a group of other people, and almost all the details are taken care of. This may be a good time to start researching the many possibilities and planning for that future dream vacation

This Report Was Given to You By an IATAN Travel Agent

BOOK OF MORMON LANDS - NEW TESTAMENT TURKEY
ISRAEL, EGYPT & THE NILE

HOLY LANDS REVEALED
6589 South 1300 East, Suite 150
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
(800) 272-RONA (7662)
info@israelrona.com

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