How to choose a travel agency in South India: 7 checks
Accreditation, real offices, honest pricing and a person who answers at 2 a.m.: what separates a good travel agency from a ticket counter.
Whether you live in Kochi, Trivandrum, Calicut, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad or Mumbai, there's no shortage of travel agencies. The difference shows up when something goes wrong. These are the seven things we'd check if we were choosing one ourselves.
1. Is it IATA accredited?
IATA accreditation means the agency issues airline tickets directly and settles with airlines under global standards. It's a basic test of financial standing. Ask for the IATA status; a good agency will tell you without hesitation.
2. Does it have a real office near you?
A visa file, a passport question or a refund is easier across a desk. Look for an address you can visit and a phone that's answered by someone who knows your booking.
3. Does it explain the full price?
The cheapest headline fare is rarely the cheapest trip. A good agent quotes the all-in price, including baggage, seats and the cost of changing your plans, before you pay.
4. Will it handle the visa properly?
Most refused visas come down to paperwork. Ask how the agency checks documents, whether it books appointments, and what it does after a refusal. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a visa: no one can.
5. What happens at 2 a.m.?
Flights get cancelled at inconvenient hours. Ask whether you'll have a number that works around the clock while you travel. At ATE, every client gets a dedicated 24/7 number when they book.
6. Can it do the whole trip?
Flights, hotels, transfers, insurance and visa from one team means one person who sees the whole picture when something changes.
7. How long has it been around?
Longevity isn't everything, but relationships with airlines, hotels and consulates take years to build, and they're what gets you the seat, the room or the appointment when it matters.
Where ATE fits
Airtravel Enterprises has done this since 1976, with offices across South India and in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. If you'd like to see how we work, talk to your nearest office or browse our holidays.
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