So, you’ve decided to work with a travel agent—a good choice for most vacation plans. Working with a travel agent gives you someone with experience and connections to ensure you get the best value for your hard-earned dollars. Before you speak or meet with your travel agent, it’s important to prepare so the agent can help you plan your trip effectively and efficiently.

Here’s a list of items and information you should have ready when working with a travel agent:

1. Travel Dates and Duration: Provide the exact dates or narrow time frame you plan to travel, along with the duration of your trip. It is essential to help the agent find suitable flights, accommodations, and activities for your desired timeframe.  
2. Destination Preferences: Let the agent know where you want to go. If you have multiple destinations in mind, rank them in order of preference. Also, mention if you have any specific cities or regions you want to visit. It is good here to note any activities you prefer or things you would like to avoid. 
3. Budget: Clearly define your budget for the entire trip. Your budget should include flights, accommodations, activities, meals, transportation, and any other expenses you might incur. When a travel agent knows they need to stay below a figure, it greatly aids in making the proper selections. An agent wants to provide you with the best value you can afford for any vacation. 
4. Travel Companions: Inform the agent about the number of people traveling with you, including adults, children, and their dates of birth. This information helps in finding suitable accommodations and activities for your group.
5. Travel Style and Preferences: Explain your travel style and preferences. Do you prefer luxury hotels or budget accommodations? Are you interested in adventurous activities or cultural experiences? Sharing with your travel agent some previous experiences and what you liked about them is a great way to express this. Knowing your preferences will help the agent tailor the trip to your liking.
6. Special Occasions or Requirements: If you’re celebrating a special occasion during your trip, such as a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday, let the agent know. Also, mention any special requirements you have, such as dietary restrictions or accessibility needs or medical concerns such as motion sickness. 
7. Activities and Interests: List the activities and attractions you’re interested in experiencing during your trip. This could include sightseeing, outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping, etc. The more specific you are, the better the agent can customize your itinerary.
8. Flexible Dates: If you have some flexibility in your travel dates, mention this to the agent. They can find better deals or options for you.
9. Preferred Airlines or Alliances: If you have a preferred airline or are a frequent flyer program member, share this information with the agent. They can book flights that align with your preferences.
10. Travel Documents: Ensure you have valid passports. Check the expiration on your passport before speaking with your travel agent. The best practice is to ensure your passport is good for six months past your travel dates. If you have frequent traveler numbers or memberships, share those with the agent too.
11. Emergency Contact Information: Provide an emergency contact person’s name and phone number in case the travel agent needs to reach someone in case of unforeseen situations. Most suppliers, from airlines to tours to hotels, now ask for an emergency contact on file. 
12. Health and Medical Considerations: If you have any medical conditions, allergies, or other health considerations, let the agent know. This can be important for selecting accommodations, transportation, and activities that suit your needs. Travel agents can arrange to accommodate your needs, such as requesting seating in front of a vehicle if you experience motion sickness. 
13. Preferred Communication Method: Let the agent know your preferred communication method – via email, phone calls, or a specific messaging platform. Most agents want to make the first contact via phone, in-person, or virtual meeting. 

By providing these details and being clear about your preferences, your travel agent can create a tailored itinerary that meets your expectations and ensures a smooth travel experience.  

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Whether you are planning your trip with a professional travel agent or you have decided to DIY it, it is crucial that you review things during the research, booking, payment, and documentation processes. We are all human and make mistakes. Not to mention computers and technology are only sometimes as reliable as we would like. We compiled a review list to help alleviate stress and prepare for your upcoming travel.  

As a traveler, reviewing and checking off several things is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. Here’s a fairly comprehensive list to review and check off. 

1. Passport and Visas: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your return date, and check if you need any visas for the countries you plan to visit. Do this before picking your dates and quoting your trip. 
2. Travel Insurance: Purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unforeseen events. Keep a copy of the policy number and contact information while traveling. 
3. Health Precautions: Check if any vaccinations or health precautions are required or recommended for the destinations you’ll be visiting. Also, be sure to alert your travel planner of any health concerns, such as mobility issues, dietary needs, and phobias.
4. Itinerary and Reservations: Double-check your travel itinerary, flight, accommodation, and any other reservations you’ve made. We cannot stress that you read all the information from the beginning to the start of your trip. Reading your reservations’ fine print and details throughout the booking process allows for changes before penalties might occur. Be sure to note essential terms and conditions. 
5. Emergency Contacts: List emergency contacts, including family members, friends, and the local embassy or consulate. You should provide at least one contact to your planner or add on your reservation when requested. 
6. Money and Banking: When booking, you often need to alert your bank of a significant charge, especially for debit cards, as your bank might see this as fraudulent. Before travel, inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid issues using your credit/debit cards abroad. Carry some cash in local currency as well.
7. Electronics and Chargers: Ensure you have all required chargers and adapters for your electronic devices.  
8. Essential Documents: Make photocopies or digital scans of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and other necessary documents. Store them securely online and carry physical copies as backups.
9. Language and Culture: Learn some basic phrases in the local language and research cultural norms to show respect and avoid misunderstandings.
10. Weather: Check the weather forecast for travel dates and pack appropriate clothing.
11. Medications and First Aid: Bring any necessary medications and a basic first aid kit. Carry your medicines in your onboard luggage allowance. 
12. Travel Apps: Download helpful travel apps, such as maps, language translators, currency converters, and travel guides.
13. Luggage Restrictions: Check your airline’s baggage allowances and restrictions to avoid additional fees.
14. Transportation: Plan how you’ll get from the airport to your accommodation and between destinations.
15. Emergency Numbers: Check your documents for local phone numbers and what to do in the case of emergency or interruption while traveling. Keep instructions on dialing out in a foreign country with you, or don’t hesitate to ask a local such as the hotel concierge, to assist you with making a call. 
16. Photocopy Your Itinerary and Photograph Important items: Give a copy of your travel itinerary to a family member or friend in case of emergencies. Please take photos of your passport, travel insurance, and other important documents in case they get lost or stolen.

Remembering to review trip details and check off items in the early stages will help alleviate issues and dissappoints in the final stages. But remember, there is always the possibility that you or your planner miss an item, forget an item, or go things go wrong. Embrace the journey with an open mind, be flexible with your plans, and make the most of every moment.

By reviewing and checking off these points, you’ll be well-prepared for your travels and can focus on enjoying your adventure to the fullest. Safe travels!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

In today’s travel world, travel insurance has truly become a non-negotiable trip item, covering your rental car, flight only, cruise, and everything else on your itineraries. I have seen more issues as we have come out of the pandemic, where travel plans have gone differently than planned.  

What are some examples of things I’ve seen?  

• I have had clients who had a medical event before travel and had to cancel their trip because they could no longer travel.
• I have had clients who have been injured or fallen ill during travel, had to seek medical attention and even some who have had to return home. 
• I have had clients lose items or have items stolen.
• I have had clients experience various reasons for flight delays and cancellations, from weather to birds hitting the plane.

The world and life are absolutely unpredictable, so there are several compelling reasons to purchase travel insurance.

Here are several compelling reasons to purchase travel insurance before embarking on a trip: 

1. Trip cancellation or interruption coverage: Travel plans can be unexpectedly disrupted due to various reasons such as illness, injury, or the death of a family member. Travel insurance can provide reimbursement for non-refundable expenses and help recoup the costs of canceled or interrupted trips.
2. Medical emergencies and expenses: Healthcare costs can be exorbitant in certain countries, and your regular health insurance may not cover you while traveling abroad. Travel insurance can provide coverage for emergency medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency medical evacuations.
3. Lost or delayed baggage: Airlines occasionally misplace or lose luggage, leaving travelers without their belongings. Travel insurance can offer compensation for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage, as well as provide reimbursement for essential items in case of baggage delay.
4. Travel delays: Delays in transportation can disrupt travel plans, leading to additional expenses for accommodation, meals, or alternative transportation. Travel insurance can provide coverage for these expenses, offering financial protection against unexpected delays due to factors like inclement weather, natural disasters, or airline strikes.
5. Emergency assistance services: Many travel insurance policies offer access to 24/7 emergency assistance services. This can be particularly helpful when facing language barriers, seeking local medical providers, or navigating unfamiliar situations.
6. Travel-related emergencies: Travel insurance may cover emergencies such as trip curtailment due to a terrorist attack, political unrest, or natural disasters at your travel destination. It can provide peace of mind and financial protection in such unforeseen circumstances.
7. Rental car coverage: If you plan to rent a car during your trip, travel insurance can often provide coverage for rental car damages or theft, saving you from incurring additional expenses or relying on costly rental car insurance.
8. Additional benefits: Depending on the policy, travel insurance can offer additional benefits such as coverage for accidental death or dismemberment, legal assistance, and assistance with lost travel documents.

 It’s essential to carefully review and understand the terms and conditions of any travel insurance policy before purchasing, as coverage and exclusions may vary. Additionally, consider the specific needs of your trip, your destination, and your personal circumstances when deciding on the right level of coverage.

Travel agents are not insurance agents, but we can provide you with coverage options and pricing for your travel. We work with several travel insurance providers. We can make recommendations based on your experiences as we never leave home without it, but any specific policy questions should be directed to the travel insurance company. Be sure to always discuss your options for your itinerary when booking and when making your deposit payment, as most companies have a pre-existing medical condition requiring insurance to be booked at deposit or within two weeks of depositing. There are some exceptions. For more details on the reasons to purchase travel insurance, speak with your trusted travel advisor. 

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.