Does anyone offer travel services? If so, can you let me know your best practices and what travel sites you use to complete your travel? I need to be able to offer changes and cancellations when booking travel. I am running into a stump offering these services to my clients.

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Sheree Wilkerson

Hi, Sheree,

I offer travel planning to my clients. I make their reservations with the provider: Delta, Avis, whatever hotel chain they want. That ensures a clear confirmation and any problems can be discussed directly with the vendor. I created a traveler profile for each individual with all their travel information and preferences.

If they need to make changes or cancel reservations they must comply with the restrictions of the given vendor. Therefore, if they are required to pay change fees, cancellations fees, etc. they choose to do so. I am never liable for those charges unless I've made an error ... so I am very careful when I make a client's travel plans. It sounds as if you are planning to absorb the costs of changes/cancellations yourself. I hope not, as there is no way you have any control over a provider/vendor rescheduling or canceling their service.

Cathey

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Cathey Kuhn, Warrior Business Services
Give your business a fighting chance

Hi Cathey!

Noooooo! I am not absorbing any costs for changes/cancellations. I am just use to working with Travel agencies to book travel, where you get more options to choose. All charges will be charged to the traveling client. Your setup is an thought. I think I may reach out to some travel agencies and see what options they offer for the VA community. Currently, I still work full-time and we use Carlson Wagonlit it's such a breeze to one stop shop, especially when you're dealing with unexpectant variants that can affect travel on a daily basis. I'll keep you posted on what I find out. Thanks for your help!

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Sheree Wilkerson

I hate doing travel for my clients and I always tell them I do "light travel arrangements" (whatever that really means....LOL). I use Expedia and Sidestep. Most of my clients have their favorites that they fly with or get cars from so luckily I don't have to do too much research for mine.

Dawn

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Dawn Kramer
www.midwestvagroup.com

Since I love to travel myself I don't mind handling travel services.

I am a part-time travel agent so I have access to resources and pricing so I can insure my clients get a great deal.

To avoid confusion and it is best to get all preferences for travel ahead of time. Don't forget to take care of the variables as well.

A travel agent is preferable however when you don't want to do it yourself.
Make a couple of great contacts, keep them in your address book, so when your client says, "You know I would like to take my wife on a special trip", you have the perfect resource.

Beth

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Beth Tucker, Lakehouse Enterprises
Administrative support virtually; anywhere in the world.

Hi Sheree,
Like Cathey I prefer to deal directly with the vendor and I find that I do get the best deals there. For hotel bookings however, that is very often different and I use booking.com for that - unless my client has an arrangement with one of the hotel chains.

Like the others, I would advise to get the profile sorted before you do anything and make sure the client understands the restrictions. And do make sure that you do not paid for others. Clients should provide credit card details etc.

Hope this all works out.
Hilde

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Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

I like the idea of doing it yourself but using only Client Preferences, information etc. You are so lucky to already have a working relationship with a Travel Agent that you like. I am sure if you approach them from your business that you can work out some amicable deals for both of you. i.e. Perhaps they can let you know re special packages to offer just for your clients and then when you have clients who book those packages you get a percentage or finder fee etc.