Even though i am only 24, I have traveled most of my life. Across the USA. Bermuda, Curaçao, Bahamas etc. However it was always my dream to travel to Asia. After graduating from college, I decided to take my dream vacation and go to Vietnam.
However since I have never traveled to Asia before, I decided to play it safe and talk with a travel agent. I went to First Class Travel with high hopes but sadly had a very disappointed experience.
I wanted to get an idea of how much a flight cost from Chicago to Da Nang. Hilariously, I was informed that it would cost at least $2,500 for a connected flight from Chicago to Seoul and Da Nang. Having again traveled most of my life, I knew that didn't make much sense. While the travel agent said that was my only option. I looked up an American airline flight from Chicago to Da Nang with a 1 hour stop in Tokyo for $1,500. This travel agency wanted me to spend $1,000 MORE.
Not only that, they would not have even booked the flight unless I booked a resort or hotel while I was in Da Nang.
They also added that it was my fault that the flight options weren't as open because of the dates that I took off. And that if it was them they would ask their employer to just chance the vacation dates that I requested months in advance to make this trip work.
They also had to say "Well Vietnam is an odd place to go to. I don't know why you would want to go there." Not only is this inappropriate but it's none of their business why I want to go there.
So I left First class travel and did my own research. Bought my own plane ticket $1,000 cheaper and did airbnb and got a lovely beach villa for $25 a day.I had a wonderful time on my dream vacation.
My advice. There is not point going to a travel agency. All the information you need is online. If you need advice on travel, ask people who have traveled there.
The best way to describe First Class travel is: If you want something done right do it yourself! read more