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ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT. Plan your next trip with a travel agent. He's a specialist trained to advise you on the best way to travel within your budget, while saving you time andenergy.

YOUR TRAVEL AGENT, WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES

Ticket seller, reservationist, counselor, and, at times, even confidant. They all add up to a travel agent. 

Special to Delegate - compiled by American Airlines and the editors of Delegate - will explain how the travel agent operates, and how the Black traveler can benefit by using one. 

YOUR TRAVEL AGENT, WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES

PART 1

Travel is increasingly becoming "where it's at" for today's Black family. 

Many handle their own travel arrangements. And it usually starts out smoothly. Example: Everyone agrees that Mexico is the place to see.

Now, what to do about airline and hotel reservations, sightseeing excursions, entry documents and numerous other details that if mishandled can turn that dream vacation into a nightmare?

You can go on and try to do it all yourself, but probably with meager success and a surplus of headaches. The overall mechanics of traveling can be bewildering, especially for the "nouveau" traveler. 

Even veteran globetrotters can spend weeks sending letters or cables and making phone calls to get the trip together and still not get it right. 

What's the best way to avoid all the wear and tear and still be assured of a smooth getaway from start to finish? Consider a travel agent. 

This, the first of a two-part series by American Airlines and the editors of this newspaper, will explore who the travel agent is and the services he renders.

A travel agent is more than a ticket seller or a reservationist. He's a specialist trained to advise you on the best way to travel on your budget.

Simply find an agent whose judgment you trust, tell him what you want and how much you can spend. To find an agent, ask friends or associates for recommendations, or check the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory. If you use the latter method, make a few calls and ask questions. Select the agent that impressed you as most capable and understanding of the kind of help you need. 

Or ask the agent if he belongs to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). If he's a member you can usually be sure that he's competent and reputable. However, many good agents are not ASTA members, but still are endorsed by the organization. ASTA is headquartered at 360 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016.

Once you've decided on an agent, leave your vacation arrangements to him. You'll soon see that he can save you time, energy and possibly even money. Here's how: 

He arranges your air transportation and car rentals. Generally, agents are appointed by transportation carriers to issue tickets and officially represent the carrier. All appointments must be approved by the conference to which the carrier belongs, such as the Air Traffic Conference of America (ATC) or the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Before an agent receives such an appointment, he must show financial responsibility and complete knowledge of the travel industry. However, not all agents have these carrier appointments. Usually this is because they are just getting started in the business or deal only in specialized services that do not require appointments.

Travel agents also arrange resort, motel or hotel accommodations, meals, transfers, sightseeing excursions and special features such as theater tickets or concerts. As a counselor, he advises you on insurance, foreign currency exchange, and documentary and health requirements. And his office is usually filled with colorful brochures on the places you plan to visit. 

Now, what about itineraries? Agents sell packaged tours, as well as prepare individual itineraries, personally escorted and group tours. Individual itineraries are custom-made, put together just for you, but package tours are designed to fit the interests of a variety of travelers. 

A package tour may be escorted or unescorted. On the escorted tour, you travel in a group with an experienced tour director. Unescorted tours are more flexible since you do not travel with a group and tour director. However, generally all basic costs are predetermined in both types of tours. With the exception of personal shopping and tipping (basic tips usually are included in the tour rate), optional activities and sometimes meals, most expenses can be budgeted in advance on packaged tours.

Group tours are a boon for church organizations, although they may also be cultural, business or just a fun bunch. Details on who may qualify and the savings available should be checked with your travel agent. 

Next, read about deposits, fees and cancellations.

[[image - black and white photograph of a couple in bathing suits, lying on a towel that says "American," with a sailboat in the background]]

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