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Intro: |
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| Certified Travel Agent (CTA): A title earned from the ICTA, certifying that an agent has at least 1.5 years of experience working in the travel industry Certified Travel Counselor (CTC): A title earned from the ICTA, certifying that an agent has at least 5 years of experience working in the travel industry Cruise Lines International Associated (CLIA): An international professional association for agents who specialize in cruises Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA): An institute that licenses travel schools and certifies travel agents in the United States |
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| Don't respond to unsolicited travel offers you receive in the mail or over the phone. Even if you think an offer sounds legitimate, do further research before giving out your credit card number or writing a check. Don't pay for travel arrangements with cash or a check unless you're sure the money will go directly into a trust account that your travel agent or tour operator has set up to protect your money. Make sure the account is earmarked for trip expenses and can't be used to pay for your agent's operating expenses. If you're a California resident, you'll notice California Seller of Travel (CST) numbers when you browse through travel ads. Travel agents are required to register with the State Attorney General's Office and display these registration numbers in all their advertising. |
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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 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. In most countries, the travel industry is largely self-regulated, so there are a number of professional trade associations (some reputable, some not so reputable) that register members. There are also vocational schools and programs that train and certify agents. The most prominent travel associations in the United States are the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA). Type the full name of one of these into an Internet search engine to find its website, or enter "travel association" (plus the name of your country) to search for others. Any travel association will be happy to refer you to member agents in your area. 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.
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