Happy Friday, everyone!

I have a potential client who is interested in having me make travel arrangements for his employees. This will all be within the U.S.

I have made them off and on over the years at the J.O.B., but this is actually something that I think I might enjoy doing - BUT I would love some feedback from those of you who do this continuously.

I'm interested in knowing the best (and most user-friendly) way to make arrangements - through somewhere online or doing it the old-fashioned way by getting on the phone for all of it.

I have read about some online programs/software allowing you to complete this (not sure if that would be necessary or not). Thoughts on that?

I can't imagine it being too difficult (thinking positive here. Am I fooling myself? LOL). I'm thinking basic arrangements of flight, hotel, and car.

Please share your tips, knowledge, thoughts and experiences as I would really appreciate it.

Thank you all!

Most airlines, car rentals and hotels have online booking. I don't think it will be too much for you at all. There is a form that one VA created recently in the Document area just for travel. Download it and see if you can use it for your clients.

Take Care,
Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

I saw that form, Andrea.

Thank you for your feedback!

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your evening!

Thank you Michelle You have a great night too

AJ~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

I've booked Travel for many years, sometimes using a service, sometimes online. I have found that business travel most often changes or gets canceled so find your comfort zone. Online is usually a little cheaper but harder to make changes. Make up a "Travel Profile" form and have each person you will be be doing bookings for complete it so you always have their preferences, frequent flier numbers, passport information, Drivers License, credit cards, etc on hand to make the task go smoothly. Find out if the company your are working for has rules for Business/Coach ie flights longer than 4 hrs are always Business Class. Are they able to drive outside of the USA/Canada, etc.

Keep track of everything. Once you get going it will become routine. I always had a folder nearby of currently travelers, once the trip was completed, make note of what could have been done better, then file.

Once I got started here seems I just couldn't stop, probably gave you more info than you need.

Cheers!!

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Bernice you have it down to a fine art! I find Expedia works well. Hotwire can be much cheaper, especially if you book very close to departure day, but if you don't take the trip you lose. Changing the name of the traveller can be difficult or impossible as well. In these economic times if you can save a company some money, while at the same time getting their various bodies where they have to go and back efficiently, in their eyes you rock!

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Bernice, ALL of your information is needed. Thank you so, so much! I really appreciate it!

Great tips, Wordpro Wizard! See, these are things I didn't realize and this is exactly why I came on here for feedback.

You ladies are "thee" best!

I have been event planning for years. For professional and personal travel.

I have found that the enet is the best way to find travel arrangements and accommodations. However as the accommodation go, I always call the facility and talk with them one on one. The last event I planned I saved $1200 off the rental fee of a summer house just by talking to the lady over the phone.

I hope this helps

Helps a lot, Victoria! Thank you for the tips and information! There is nothing like that one-on-one contact - you just gave a prime example of that!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Hi MIchelle,

I have my diploma in travel and tourism and what I have done is join a travel agency as an outside or homebased agent thus allowing me to book from consolidators getting wholesale prices which I can mark up for flights allowing me to make money and with hotels I will also receive a commission which of course I split with the agency I work with I am currently on a 70-30 split as I have experience and this is a field I have worked in. Doing it this way also allows you to make changes to the PNR via the wholesaler and also the airline and hotels.

If anyone is interested Sears has started a taking on homebased travel agents you are called a Sears Authorized agent. It costs around $250 to join them but the good thing is that you can accept the Sears card as a form of payment and also if they are offering deffered payment plan you can also offer this and you get access to reservation systems. VA's who are interested in offering travel services might want to look into this. It could save you a lot of time and headache researching prices. I am not sure if this is offered everywhere by Sears but it is here in Canada however we also have rules and regulations regarding who can sell travel.

Hope this helps. Please if anyone is thinking of joining one of the many online travel agencies be aware you have to research the company very well.

Sharon
www.bordercityadministration.com
www.bordercitytravel.com