Thread: Do TAs have a code of ethics?

Good point AAA. There are times when clients are unhappy with their TA or large booking site, etc...and they begin looking for a new TA...and asking the new TA for quotes...part of the business I guess.

Welcome AAAmember. Very nice first post. Does ASTA stand for American Society of Travel Agents? Or what? And how do you become a member? Are most TA's members?

Originally Posted by Chudley

Welcome AAAmember. Very nice first post. Does ASTA stand for American Society of Travel Agents? Or what? And how do you become a member? Are most TA's members?

Information and background on the American Society of Travel Agents.
About ASTA

My Travel Agency is a member of several travel related organizations.
Each has a very similar code of ethics.

I have my own, I treat every customers booking as if it was my own
and I was actually the one to travel which, with my groups, I usually do. It allows me to think a little outside of the box
when making travel arrangements.
I live in Southern California and many of my customers are from here also. I have a group sailing on Mercury to Alaska May 4.
I just happened to come across a 3 night repo cruise of the NCL Star from LA to Vancouver. It is scheduled to arrive in Vancouver the same day as Mercury leaves on its Alaska sailing. I got some really good pricing and everyone in the group decided that that was a far nicer way to get to Vancouver than flying. Both ships
will be docked at Canada Place and we will just walk across to the other side of the pier to board our Alaska cruise.

Reggie

[quote=reggierail;733985]My Travel Agency is a member of several travel related organizations.
Each has a very similar code of ethics.

I have my own, I treat every customers booking as if it was my own
and I was actually the one to travel which, with my groups, I usually do. It allows me to think a little outside of the box
when making travel arrangements.

My host is a member as well. Reggie, you took the words out of my mouth, I plan and treat clients trips as if they were mine...lol.

I try to travel with my groups too, I did in April, this past Jan, the Freedom CLF cruise in November...but I can't sail on every group I have, or I would never be home...Come to think of it, that might be a good thing, lol.

I actually enjoy planning Disney trips too...helping with the daily planner, character meals etc.

From time to time I'll see someone mention (usually on another board) that their TA gave them some wrong info about going on a cruise. Usually it turns out that their TA isn't knowledgeable about going on a cruise. That's why it's so important for someone who has never been on a cruise to use a TA who's a frequent cruiser. Especially as many cruiselines (Princess, for example) hire CSRs who have never been on a cruise.

Good point Cruisin' Chick...

Also look for a TA with Specialties within the different cruise lines...to maintain those, they have to do continuing education with the different lines.