Debbie Gracy has always come through for me. When I was stuck over there right after 9/11 and had to get back to my ship, she moved heaven and earth to get me home through Europe. I get charged a fee for processing my FF miles, bookings etc, but who cares. A nice package shows up in my mailbox with idiot (jorge) proof instructions, I'm greeted at JNB and avoid all the bribe hustlers there and back. There are equals out there I'm sure, but none better. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Again, I don't know, and again, just trying to understand why your experience was different from mine.

I wish I understood, too, which is why I posed the questions in the first place.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
But, if a new customer comes and asks them to book ONLY FF miles travel, they will not do it.

If the use of FF miles includes purchasing additional travel from them, they are happy to do it.

I did need to purchase an additional roundtrip ticket from Joburg to East London. Hardly any dollars at all.

But, the interesting thing is I've got eight additional people in my party that will not be using FF miles, therefore purchasing their tickets. One would think that considering the guy spearheading the group would be treated equal with an additional eight folks standing in line waiting for the first guy, aka me ) to make a decision. Would a company not go out of their way to help a FF guy knowing eight others will fall like dominos right into their lap?

Linda Schrader of Falcon Travel Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. One the best in the business for Safari Travel.

I fell like a domino

I'm one of the 8 and using Steve.....Travel With Guns

He booked the same flights as the other guys for $300 less

Has anyone used Debbie Trinidad at Custom Travel?
http://www.customtravelafrica.com/africa.html
How do they compare with the big names? If you have any problems, lost bags etc. I have used her and had no problems at all. Just a good trip. Her rep in SA is the Afton House.

I got a quote from her last week.

Annelise at Areva Travel does excellent work. I have used her four times booking trips into Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Does a first rate job getting the paperwork squared away with the Dutch Consent Form necessary in transiting through Amsterdam.

A friend and I used Gracy about 10 years ago and were very unhappy. Then about 5 years ago one of my friends had to sue Gracy. I started using Barb and Don with International Journeys about 8 years ago and couldn't be happier.

Steve Turner - Travel with guns

He did a fantastic job for my trip to Zim last month.

Nitro Express says

"Highly recommend Elaine Porteous at African Odyssey Travel.

Elaine is a South African expatriate.

African Odyssey is a South African owned and operated company based in Miami.

Call Elaine at 305-342-3744, or by email @ aodyssey@gate.net ."

We muse second Nitro as we have used her for well past 10 years . On several occasions when
plans changed she was a blessing and in one difficult situation assisted us in an emergency that no discounter could have effected.

I had good luck with Lori at Travel Express....

I have made over 200 international trips to 50 different countries. I have flown many of the world's airlines from Singapore Airlines to Air Atyrau (Kazakhstan) and a variety of chartered fixed wing and helicopters. There are few travel issues I have not seen when traveling.

Let me offer another viewpoint on this.

1. Learn the travel business. Know the airline you are flying, know the rules on guns, know the route you are taking, know the airports you are going in and out of. Knowledge is comforting. It is not power but it helps to know the business.

2. Do not assume the travel agent knows everything. I have had the pleasure of dealing with five different agencies. All five did a good job. All five got me there and back ok. All five have different strengths and areas of knowledge.

3. Take control of your travel arrangements. Know your dates, your budget and what you expect from the airlines and your agent. Have realistic expectations.

4. Use an agent if you are somewhat inexperienced on international travel. If you are not taking guns, then you can likely book yourself to a normal destination.

5. Most agents will not book travel with your frequent flyer miles. For me, I do not use miles on international hunting trips. I use them domestically and on "normal" international vacations. When you use miles for a ticket, you are considered a "lower classification" flyer meaning you are a non-revenue ticket and will get bumped before a full fare ticket holder. Also, you will not get much help rearranging a ticket bought with miles. Know this going in!

6. Do not make a flight decision based solely on miles acquired. "Miles" are bait to get you to buy a ticket. They are equal to 1 or 2 cents in value. In other words, we use them as a type of currency but they are not worth what you think. Do not make a decision to go or not go based on a "free" ticket.

7. When I fly internationally today, I buy a refundable/changeable ticket whenever possible. Do not rely on trip insurance to cover a problem. The fine print lets them off the hook regularly. I view travel insurance like an extended warrenty, you get little value from it most of the time. It pays off in a health emergency but not much else.

8. Know the currency of the country you are traveling to. Dollars and Euros are great but you better be aware of exchange rates and how to change money.

This is all based on a lot of screw ups and problems I have had. Plus, this advice is free.

+1 on Annelise of Areva Travel. She is a South African who's now living in Texas.

Dogcat's comments seem like good advice. No matter how familiar I was with all the regs, I'd still use a travel agent on a hunt. I've used Gracy in years past and had excellent reults. Currently (for the last few trips) use Steve Turner with Travel with Guns. I'm sure Kathi (I think Saeed uses Kathi) and others here are very good as well.

quote:

Originally posted by dawaba:
+1 on Annelise of Areva Travel. She is a South African who's now living in Texas.

X3 she has been great handling my travel so far on upcoming trip.

Another recommendation for Steve Turner and Travel With Guns.

I had serious delay issues that made connecting flights impossible to make on my recent trip to Mozambique. Steve was available immediately, both by phone and by email, to help me sort them out, and set up a new itinerary. First rate service.

I have also had great experiences with Kathi Klimes, but my sense is that she is winding down lately? I may be wrong on that.

Just got back from Tanzania and Steve Turner did a great job, including when Precision Air (local Tanzanian Airline) canceled my scheduled flight. He was on it and got an alternative, which we ended up not using because I shot an elephant at last light the last day and had to arrange a charter. But Steve did a great job.

I used Steve Turner for my recent hunt in RSA. he did a great job. I plan to use him again for my trip to New Zealand in May.

Steve Turner...

I use Cabelas travel,Jenn for African travel . They gave me lots of options. They booked me a meet and greet with a bed and breakfast . You can even use your Cabela points if you have them. I got bids from all the other travel agents talked about on here and cabelas was the cheapest and most professional talking to me about my flights to SA and in the country.