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With the National Football League playoffs underway and the Super Bowl approaching, sports fans around the country will be looking for travel bargains and packages for the big game. ASTA offers some recommendations for fans evaluating travel packages, including use of a travel agent. ASTA also warns that sporting events present an opportunity for disreputable tour operators and travel scam artists to defraud sports fans of millions of dollars each year. 

“Every year, we hear reports of sports fans whose travel plans were ruined by a questionable organization with an offer that sounded too good to be true,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo . “Following some simple advice and asking a few questions can help ensure that fans’ Super Bowl dreams won’t end in heartache.”

ASTA offers the following guidelines – one of a series of consumer information releases sent to national media – to help consumers minimize risks when booking tours in conjunction with special events:

*    Check the tickets. Make sure when booking a sports package that the arrangements include tickets to the desired sporting event. The U.S. government’s ‘Truth in Ticketing’ rules, require that a tour operator advertising a Super Bowl travel package that includes a flight and game tickets must have the game tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before they can even advertise.
*    Plan wisely. Book tour packages through a travel agent or tour operator affiliated with a professional organization, such as ASTA. For example, ASTA is the only travel trade association with a Consumer Affairs function that can mediate some disputes for consumers and ASTA member travel agents.
*    Protect yourself. Make sure the tour operator participates in a consumer protection plan. ASTA’s Tour Operator Program (TOP) helps travel agents and consumers identify ASTA tour operators that meet certain standards. The criteria require that the tour operator be in the business of operating tours for the past three years; have a $1 million Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy naming travel agents as additional insured; and adhere to the ASTA and TOP code of ethics.
*    Read the fine print. Get information about the tour package and tour operator in writing. Read the information carefully and ask your travel agent to explain all the details.

ASTA also offers the following suggestions when evaluating any travel offer to help avoid being a victim of a travel scam.

*    Be extremely skeptical about postcard and phone solicitations saying you’ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation.
*    Never give out your credit card number unless you initiate the transaction and you are confident about the company with which you are doing business.
*    You should receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These details should include the total price; cancellation and change penalties, if any; and specific information about all components of the package.
*    If you insist on calling a 900-number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the charges and know the risks.
*    Walk away from high-pressure sales presentations which don’t allow you time to evaluate the offer, or which require that you disclose your income.
*    Be suspicious of companies requiring that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.
*    Properly vet any tour operator by checking its Better Business Bureau record and by checking to see if the company’s name surfaces on any scam websites.

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your local Better Business Bureau, your local or state Consumer Affairs Office, state attorney general’s office, or e-mail ASTA’s Consumer Affairs department at consumeraffairs@asta.org for information and assistance.

Visit www.TravelSense.org.

Article written by George Dooley for Travel Agent Central

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I haven’t posted anything in a while and wanted to leave a few thoughts.  

I’m glad the holiday’s are over but now that they are, it’s time to get back to work.  All too soon we will be over worked and stressed out.  NOW is the time to start planning that 2010 Girlfriends Get Away Cruise.  What better way to stay connected to your girlfriends?  Sometimes a short 3-5 day get away is just what you need to recharge your batteries.  Planning NOW allows you to make smaller payments during the year.  So right there is less stress.  =)

Good night everyone, It’s freezing here in Central FL.  Never knew it got this cold here.  =)  I NEED warm weather.

Good Morning all,  I’ve been so crazy busy with the holidays that I’ve hardly had time to post anything.  I hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Have you guys seen the Gratitude Log?  It’s such a wonderful read.  

You post every day things you are grateful.  I love only thinking of all of my blessing not any of the “junk” that clouds the brain.  I like reading what others are grateful for also.  Makes me happy just reading it.  It’s so true that what you think about is what comes to you. 

Take a little time today to be grateful.  Check out www.gratitudelog.com.

I found this article on Travel Agent Central and thought I would share, for anyone traveling to the Philippines.

The State Department is warning U.S. citizens of possible risk when traveling to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The alert is on the heels of the recent acts of violence in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao.

This state of emergency for the Philippines includes road checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law enforcement. U.S. citizens should know that there are heightened tensions as well as an increased military presence in these regions. Travelers are encouraged to research the restrictions and avoid congregating in public areas.

This travel alert expires January 6, 2010.

Visit travel.state.gov.

Article written by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central on November 25, 2009

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  We need to take a moment and reflect on all the blessing we have and all the things we are thankful for. 

I’m just relaxing tonight, trying to gather my thoughts and ideas while watching the dogs sleep and listening to the tv.   Charting my course for planning the next cruise group. I love having a job where I get to daydream about where I would love to go. 

It’s so exciting for me to be able to plan get aways or even Seminars @ Sea.  People get excited about taking a cruise, I mean really excited amd I’m right there with them wanting to go too.

I’m getting to work with a friend of mine on a cruise Seminar that we are so excited about.   We have been wanting to work together for a while now.    It’s going to be a GREAT Seminar for women in business…AWESOME, INSPIRATIONAL and MOTIVATING .  I will try to post details later to give people an idea of how a Seminar @ Sea is planned. 

The first thing we have to decide is what port to depart from, what date to we want to go and for how long.  Make sure when you’re planning a Seminar @ Sea that you give yourself enough time to have the sessions (classes, meetings, etc) that you need to have.  For the sessions, will have to reserve space and time on the ship.  We will get to that a bit later on in the planning process.  For now I have the port and some dates, she’s already given me the fabulous theme we will use.  Can’t wait to start working to get the word out about it. 

I think that’s all the posting for me tonight.  Have a great weekend everyone and let’s plan your next cruise.

Make sure to tune in to Good Morning America on Friday for their broadcast aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas!