Choosing a Travel Agency

We live in a world in which travel has become both increasingly important and complex in its variety of modes and choices. Travelers are faced with a myriad of alternatives as to transportation, accommodations and other travel services. Some travelers choose to use a travel agency to help them navigate the choices. While most travel agencies are reputable and guide consumers honestly and competently, our office has received complaints from consumers involving agencies where the consumer paid for tickets which were never received.

OCP advises consumers to carefully research any travel agency or merchant before paying for services. Consumers should follow the following steps before selecting a travel agency:

Find out how long the agency or tour operator has been in business and whether there are any complaints or legal action against the merchant.

Check to see if the agency is a member of these trade associations: the American Society of Travel Agents at http://www.asta.org/; the United States Tour Operators Association at http://www.ustoa.com/; the Association of Retail Travel Agents at www.artaonline.com

When paying for travel, pay with a credit card rather than by check or cash. Certain “chargeback” protections apply to credit card purchases.

For more information on choosing a travel agency see the Federal Trade Commission’s website:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/shop/travel.shtm

Vivimos en un mundo donde viajar es cada vez mas importante, tantopor la variedad de modalidades de viajes y alternativas.A los viajeros se les presentandemasiadas alternativas de transporte, hospedajes, y otros servicios, y por lo tanto dependen de los agentes de viajes y personal turístico para ser guiados en forma honesta y competente.

La OPC sugiere que los consumidores investiguen cuidadosamente los agentes de viajes y los comerciantes antes de pagar por estos servicios.Previo a seleccionar una Agencia de Viajes, siga las siguientes indicaciones:

Verifique cuantos años ha operado la Agencia de Viajes o el operador de tours, y también si hay reclamos o acciones legales en su contra.

Revise la página web dela Sociedad Americana de Operadores de Turismo http://www.asta.org/ para saber si es miembro, y también la Asociación de Operadores de Turismo de Estados Unidos http://www.ustoa.com/.

Utilice una tarjeta de crédito para pagar el viaje y los servicios, en vez de un cheque o pago en dinero efectivo.Existen ciertas proteccionespara las transacciones efectuadas con tarjetas de crédito.

Información de la Comisión Federal de Comercio:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/shop/travel.shtm