You might be interested to know...

• Why should I use a travel agent when I can do it myself, either directly through the airlines or on the Internet?
• What are some value-added services that Canada One Travel provides that other agencies may not?
• Can I check in for my flight without a photo ID?
• Why is airline ticket pricing so complicated?
• How far in advance should I plan my travel?

Question - Why should I use a travel agent when I can do it myself, either directly through the airlines or on the Internet?

Answer - Despite the advent of direct booking capabilities by the airlines and Internet travel sites, 85% of all travel continues to be booked through a travel agent.

A recent study by Consumer Reports shows that millions of passengers who book direct are getting a bad deal for their travel dollar. Up to 40% of the flying public pays too much for their travel, hundreds of dollars more than they should to fly the exact same route, same seat, same plane, same class of service, same everything.

A good travel agent can help a consumer wade through the thousands of airline and tour fares that are out there and provide unbiased, objective counseling on all of the options available. We are experts in understanding the intricacies of the system and helping you take full advantage of them. We provide a one-stop shopping service for all your travel needs, whether it is an airline ticket, car rental, hotel, tour package, or cruise. And, we'll help you stay within your budget.

Best of all, you can depend on us to provide professional advice and courteous service. We will customize a travel itinerary to suit your budget, lifestyle, and preferences and back it up with customer support when you need it. Canada One Travel is a long time player in the Research Triangle area, having been in business since 1979. We have helped thousands of people realize their travel dreams and save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on their travel.


Question - What are some value-added services that Canada One Travel provides that other agencies may not?

Answer - We provide the following value-added services to our clients:

• Shop all travel suppliers for the best available fares and schedules and offer complete, unbiased, and professional travel consultation.
• Answer the phone with a live voice, not an automated greeting or voice mail. There's no waiting in line at an airline counter or being put on hold for long periods of time.
• Courteous, customized, and professional assistance based on your individual needs.
• Post any unused electronic tickets to your account, allowing you to use the tickets for future travel.
• Book Southwest Airlines online, a Sabre exclusive feature.
• Access to Virtually There^TM, your personal travel domain.
• A 24-hour, toll free emergency hotline.
• An average fare savings of 40% or better.
• Deliver tickets to your office, home, or the airport. Provide e-ticketing and overnight delivery as needed.
• Book your car and hotel reservations in addition to your airline travel and post your reservations to your frequent user programs. Special rates are available to clients of Canada One Travel.
• "Wait list" you on flights shown to be sold out and contact you if a flight becomes available.
• Provide "seat-clearance" capabilities, allowing us to cue the system for your preferred seat assignment if it is not available at the time of ticketing.
• ResFax itinerary service, which provides a one-page summary of all flight options available to your selected city for the dates of your travel.
• Maintain your personal travel profile for all airlines, car rental companies, and hotels, along with personal seating preferences, meal requests, frequent flyer programs, and emergency information.
• $100,000 in travel insurance protection with every ticket issued.
• Serve as your advocate to resolve problems with airlines, car rental companies, hotels, and cruise lines.
• Assist with billing questions and research individual billing inquiries, as needed.
• Offer assistance with international travel, particularly with visa and passport information as well as international travel tips.
• Provide corporate travel executive management reports on a monthly or quarterly basis to give you a wide array of data on your top city pairs, volume of travel, fare savings information, and much more.

Question- Can I check in for my flight without a photo ID?

Answer - It's possible. However there are no guarantees. Some airlines are more lenient than others, but because of heightened security measures, airports now mandate that all passengers over the age of 18 present a government-issued form of photo identification, such as a military ID, a driver's license, or passport at time of check in. It is best to call your Canada One Travel Consultant about each airline's specific policies. Also keep in mind that international travel may require additional forms of identification such as a passport or original birth certificate.


Question- Why is airline ticket pricing so complicated?

Answer - The airline industry has changed drastically over the past few years. Competitive pressures have forced carriers to continually seek ways to become profitable in the face of increased competition and demanding shareholders who want to see a solid return on their investment.

Yield management strategies employed by the airlines take into account that certain travelers are not at all price-sensitive when it comes to travel and will pay just about anything to get where they have to go. At the other end of the spectrum is the traveler who may be on a fixed budget and can be more flexible with their schedule and class of seating if it means a lower fare.

In between these two scenarios is a spectrum of hundreds of different fares, with many variables factored into the equation. These variables might include time of travel, lead-time in booking travel, Saturday night stays, direct or non-stop service offerings, refundable versus non-refundable tickets, and much more.

Coupled with that, the airlines know that every empty seat is a lost revenue opportunity. When the plane leaves the ground, that revenue cannot be recovered. So it is always a juggling act by the airlines to maximize the amount of revenue they generate on each flight.

With over 200,000 airfare changes per week by the airlines, it is no wonder that the traveling public is more confused than ever. Even more reason to have a good travel agent that can help you unravel the maze of fares offered by the carriers.

Canada One Travel will provide you all of your options, on all of the carriers, and help you make sense of the tangled web of fares out there. Through personal consultation, we get to know your specific preferences and provide the best fares available at the time of ticketing. Better yet, if a lower fare comes about prior to your departure, we can contact you for re-ticketing at the lower fare (subject to airline-imposed re-ticketing fees).


Question- How far in advance should I plan my travel?

Answer - The answer is not that simple. Normally, the earlier you plan your travel, the better. Unfortunately, many travelers, particularly business travelers, do not have the luxury of scheduling their travel months in advance. But, whenever possible, you should try to book as early as you can to take advantage of better fares and availability.

You should also be aware of the holiday time periods, both major and minor, including the minor holidays such as Victoria Day or Labour Day, when schools are out. School break periods should also be factored in.

You should also be aware of the high and low seasons for the destination you are traveling to. High season requires further advance booking, usually six months or more. Popular business destinations often sell quickly. Also, popular leisure destinations often require a generous lead time.