River cruising USA style

The Queen's Grand Staircase

How about sailing the "Big Muddy" aka the Mississippi River and follow in Mark Twain's footsteps? 

Here's a preview of American Queen cruises. 

Contact your cruise travel consultant today. 

Tulip time European river cruises are hot

A recent survey* of over 1,300 top travel agents conducted by Amras River Cruises confirmed what it has been experiencing since its launch: that river cruises of the Dutch waterways beginning in Amsterdam during tulip season are the most popular for 2015.

Great space & deals are still available for spring 2015 sailings!

Contact your river cruise specialist today!

Travel gift cards

'TIS THE SEASON OF GIVING! 

Give your loved ones the gift of travel this holiday season! Travel is a gift that will last a lifetime and what better way to show you care than with a travel gift card! 

Many travel suppliers have gift card programs but I suggest that you purchase a gift certificate from a local travel agent. 

By doing this the card recipient can use the certificate on any trip not a specific product.

Contact me at 740.550.9540 or scall@callstravel.com for more information on how travel gift cards works.

Froehliche Weihnachten!

Delta Airlines makes ticekting more difficult!

Delta has made things even more complicated for fliers with Monday’s announcement that the airline will have  five new levels of service. Now, instead of economy, premium economy, and business class, you’ll have Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, DeltaOne, and First Class.

And to make matters more interesting the carrier will divide the economy and premium economy into sub categories. 

Often there are 5 or sub fare levels in each class. This results in thousands of fare combinations.

Boy I’m really glad that I got out of the airline ticketing business!

Wave Season has started

The cruise line sales AKA "Wave Season has started!

There are plenty of reduced deposits, 2 for 1, ship board credits and other offers from river cruises to deep water cruise companies. 

I suggest that you start tracking a couple of date specific sailing dates and when the prices and/or offers fall into your price comfort point lock it. 

You lock it in by contacting your travel professional make a reservation and get a deposit on the sailing.

Here's a tool to help find the cheapest flights

The ITA Matrix is a great and free tool to help you find the cheapest flights. 

Here’s what it can do:
- search flexible dates
- almost all airlines in the world (but not most discount airlines – for these use wegolo.com)
- can search only specific airlines due its advanced routing language
- search nearby airports 

Here’s an on-line tutorial on how to use the matrix.

Once you’ve determined your flights contact your travel agent or originating carrier for reservations and ticketing.  

Travel Gift Certicates

We’re into the holiday shopping system big time.

Looking for the perfect gift? Why not give a travel gift certificate?

Most travel suppliers-cruise lines, tour operators, airlines and so on offer some sort of a prepaid travel card or gift certificate.

Another option is to purchase a generic travel gift certificate from your local travel agent.

I like the generic option especially if the gift recipient doesn’t have a specific destination or supplier identified. 

Supplier issued certificates are great but they limit you to that company.

Got travel gift certificate questions? Contact the Travel Professor!