Canada - Searching a GOOD travel agent in Canada

Can anyone recommend a travel agent in Canada (I'm in YVR, but dont really care where they are). I'm looking for someone who understands maximizing points, using upgrades, being creative in itineraries, , and who doesn't mind working with itineraries I find on ITA!

Please do share!
(alternatively, a booking site in which I can specify booking class would also be helpful (other than united.com))

Great question. I've been searching for the same... Except in the NYC area.

I do all that myself, as the TA is only to book my flights and give me flight options.

I suggest using the following sites:


ticketpilot.ca
selloffvacations.com
itravel2000.com

tcook, the moderator for the AC forum, is a TA. Who better to understand the needs of a FT'er than someone who is active on FT?

Since I have an American Express Platinum charge card, I use AMEX's Platinum Travel Services. The membership fee for the card is high ($699/year), but allows you unlimited access to their travel services without booking fees.

I normally research the itineraries I want (including booking class), call AMEX PTS and read to the agent segment by segment the itinerary I want booked (down to the flight number and booking class) and they would issue the ticket. Some of their agents might even let you e-mail them the itinerary you want booked.

tcook, the moderator for the AC forum, is a TA. Who better to understand the needs of a FT'er than someone who is active on FT?

Ah, good to know. Would you be aware of the fees for his services and if he accepts Amex?

TNX

Ah, good to know. Would you be aware of the fees for his services and if he accepts Amex?

TNX

You can ask directly using PM.

Thanks for the kind thoughts but to avoid potential conflicts of interest with fellow FTers I have a long-standing policy of not soliciting nor accepting bookings through FT.

Good luck with your search. :)

Still looking...! I can/do do all the research, but can't book it without a TA's assistance. And, since they are complex routings, would like to deal with a TA who understand what I'm trying to do and why, in case there are alternatives to consider. Anyone, anyone with an actual person to recommend? (Other than tcook, of course). The upcoming task is a flight to KUL or SIN, under $2k with full status miles...

Can anyone recommend a travel agent in Canada (I'm in YVR, but dont really care where they are). I'm looking for someone who understands maximizing points, using upgrades, being creative in itineraries, , and who doesn't mind working with itineraries I find on ITA!

Please do share!
(alternatively, a booking site in which I can specify booking class would also be helpful (other than united.com))

Since you're in Vancouver, you might want to visit TourEast and get some advice. Their web site lets you book the class you want. I remember their offices being very well-informed on many destinations and being flexible but I have no recent experience. Their CEO is also highly regarded.

Throw me into the mix. Also in YVR and so far have had minimal luck trying to find a TA with the relevent experience and knowhow to cater to my needs. I'd say, we're a minority in the travelling masses though. Many just want a TA that will sell them a $3000 tour that includes all their flights and hotels and transportation. Not I.

The one i've used recently is good as a mule to access their inventory that online agencies cannot access, but thats about it. I still need (and enjoy) doing all the research myself via matrix ita etc but they DO often have fare classes and promotions that are not available for the public to see which makes things frustrating.

Since you're in Vancouver, you might want to visit TourEast and get some advice. Their web site lets you book the class you want. I remember their offices being very well-informed on many destinations and being flexible but I have no recent experience. Their CEO is also highly regarded.

I've tried TourEast a few times and didn't have good experiences with them - at least for their Vancouver office. Yes, the CEO in Toronto has a good rep but I don't think that's the case in Vancouver.

I had a good travel agent I used to use in Richmond but that office/agency closed and don't know where she went.

The problem with the majority of these types of requests is that the revenue to the agent is zero, besides segment fees from the GDS. Then ticketing some form of "unique" fare could open up the agent to an airline debit memo. Those are at times nearly impossible to fight and time consuming.