I'm anticipating an average of 2 international trips to SE Asia or NZ per month including about twice per year to the US, mostly booked maybe 1-2 weeks in advance and often requiring changes while I'm away (sometimes routes, not just dates). I've decided it's time to stop spending hours meticulously planning my own travel and just trust a good travel agent to arrange flights and hotel reservations.
So, to those in Melbourne does anyone have someone at an agency they would recommend? To those outside of Melbourne, what kind of service should I expect out of a competent agent? STA aggravated me last week by refusing to extend a travel insurance policy by 5 days over the phone due to past "fraud" incidents. Instead, a "written" authorisation was required - but they deemed email acceptable, which I found quite ridiculous. Besides, what kind of fraudster extends someone's travel insurance anyway?! Not that it greatly annoyed me, but that kind of irrational bureaucracy makes me want to stay well clear in future.
So, to those in Melbourne does anyone have someone at an agency they would recommend? To those outside of Melbourne, what kind of service should I expect out of a competent agent? STA aggravated me last week by refusing to extend a travel insurance policy by 5 days over the phone due to past "fraud" incidents. Instead, a "written" authorisation was required - but they deemed email acceptable, which I found quite ridiculous. Besides, what kind of fraudster extends someone's travel insurance anyway?! Not that it greatly annoyed me, but that kind of irrational bureaucracy makes me want to stay well clear in future.