AAA Urges States to Adopt Text Messaging Bans
Earle B. Seeley, President/CEO

AAA has launched a 50-state campaign to pass laws prohibiting motorists from text messaging while driving. Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws addressing this dangerous behavior. With state legislatures preparing for the 2010 session, AAA will be actively pushing lawmakers to focus on this issue in the remaining 32 states.

Text messaging while driving has increased in the last few years and the upward trend shows no signs of abating.

In its Traffic Safety Culture Index study released earlier this year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that 21 percent of drivers admitted text messaging while driving during the last month.

Research has proven that this conduct is a risk to all road users, and an overwhelming majority of the public supports the enactment of a ban. For these reasons, banning text messaging while driving will continue to be a top legislative priority for AAA going forward.

Texting while driving presents an obvious danger to all road users due to the significant time involved in writing, reading, and sending messages but all activities that take the driver’s eyes off the road are dangerous and add to the mental distraction caused by taking one’s mind off the task at hand.

Ample research illustrates the severely degrading effect that sending a text message has on driving performance. The AAA Foundation analyzed data from a 2006 Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study involving 100 drivers in natural settings and found that taking one’s eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles crash risk. Earlier this year, VTTI found that commercial truck drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to crash.

Although the laws can be difficult for police to enforce, new research from the Automobile Club of Southern California indicates that in-vehicle text messaging declined significantly in the seven months after that state’s texting ban went into effect.

The study illustrates that even with relatively little enforcement, a texting ban can positively influence driving behavior.

Surveys show that public support for this important traffic safety measure is generally high, ranging from 80 percent to 96 percent.

According to the AAA Foundation’s report, 87 percent of drivers rank text messaging or emailing while driving as a very serious threat to their safety, and 95 percent consider the behavior to be completely or somewhat unacceptable.

As previously stated, text messaging is one of many distractions that can divert a driver’s attention. Using a cell phone, accessing the internet, eating, talking with passengers, reading maps or the newspaper, writing, personal grooming, and looking at things outside the vehicle are among countless activities that could create a substantial crash risk.

AAA has long been engaged in the promotion of critical traffic safety improvements. Along with advocating for this important law, AAA will continue to educate the public about staying focused on the road while behind the wheel.

Visit the AAA Foundation’s web site at www.AAAFoundation/HeadsUp.org to learn more about this dangerous epidemic.

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Come to Our Open House During Member Appreciation Week

Our staff is looking forward to meeting you.

If you haven’t visited your local AAA District Office recently, we would like to invite you to stop in soon. We’ve designated November 27 to
December 5 as Member Appreciation Week, with an open house during our regular office hours.

Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with AAA while enjoying a few light refreshments and our legendary Five-Diamond Service.

You will also have the chance to enter our Member Appreciation Raffle, which includes a chance to win a $100 AAA Visa Gift Card or a surprise one-day AAA Motorcoach Tour for two. Special discounts will also be given during the week including a $50 per cabin shipboard credit for each seven-day cruise booked during the week. Other special member discounts include shopping our Travel Store with a member-friendly discount of 15 percent off merchandise including luggage (excluding Baggallini) and specialty travel items.

Of course, we also want to show off recent updates to our offices. We’ve spruced up each of our offices and opened the all-new Salem, N.H., office. We continue to strive to make each office more efficient than ever.

We look forward to seeing you any time, but especially during our Member Appreciation Week Open House. It’s always a pleasure to see friends and get re-acquainted during the holidays! Stop by!

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Biggest and Best Travel Sale Event

Get ready to save on your dream vacation, because AAA Travel’s Best & Biggest Sales Event is here! From Nov. 9 through 21, book the trip you’ve been waiting for at the lowest prices.

From Caribbean cruises to Grand Canyon adventures, European getaways to magical Disney packages – there’s a perfect travel experience within your reach. Check out the Virtual Travel Show Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6 p.m. to midnight for additional deals and info.

Visit AAA.com/SavingsEvent, or call 1-800-696-7630 for details.

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Winter Battery Worries Be Gone

AAA Battery Service offers free diagnostics.

Consulting our magic snow globe, we can confidently make this seasonal prediction: Thousands of drivers will find themselves with a car that won’t start this winter, thanks to a dead battery. Understanding what keeps your battery cranking can help you avoid being left out in the cold.

As air cools, the oil in your car thickens. Parts move more slowly and it requires more energy for the battery to turn over and start the engine. A battery loses a third of its power in freezing weather. If the temperature drops to zero or below, your battery has only half its power.

To keep your battery operating reliably in any season, have a trained technician clean battery cables and check that the charging system is charging at the correct rate. The AAA network of Approved Auto Repair facilities is an additional source for requesting a diagnosis of your vehicle’s charging system.

One way to protect your battery from the cold is to use a block heater. Pre-warming your engine reduces winter wear and tear on your battery and starter — and reduces emissions and increases fuel economy.

What do you do if your battery has been exposed to cold weather? A fully charged battery will not freeze unless the temperature drops very low. If it does freeze, it destroys the lead coating and the battery cannot charge. If the sides of your battery seem to bow out, this is a sign the battery is frozen. Never try to boost a frozen battery because it may explode.

Maybe you are a snowbird who winters in the sun and leaves the car behind. If your battery is allowed to discharge completely a few times, you will end up replacing it because the lead coating on the battery’s internal plates will fail — and so will the battery. Use a AAA Battery Tender to keep the battery charged during periods you are not driving your vehicle.

No matter what precautions you take, your battery will probably be reliable for three to five years. An aging battery increases the odds you could spend some unscheduled time in your driveway or parking lot.

Here’s some good news about batteries to make your season a little brighter. If you do have battery problems, AAA can help. AAA Battery Service offers free diagnostics — and technicians come to you.

Every battery AAA replaces is recycled, so (if you’re looking to take on a little more environmental responsibility,) you’re covered there, too. So far, AAA Battery Service and our collection program, AAA Great Battery Roundup, have kept more than 2 million batteries from contaminating landfills.

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9 Easy Ways to Prolong Your Battery Life

Batteries have an average life of three to five years. Simple care and maintenance can keep your battery performing reliably throughout its life.

1. Keep your battery case and brackets free of corrosion. If you see cracks or oozing at the top of your battery case, replace the battery.

2. Corrosion and deposits interfere with the flow of electric current. Have your battery terminals and posts cleaned regularly by a trained technician.

3. Inspect brackets. If they are heavily corroded, replace them or have them replaced. Also make sure they secure the battery firmly. Loose brackets will allow the battery to vibrate, shortening its life and possibly damaging other components.

4. Tighten any loose cables.

5. Check the tension and condition of your fan belt. A loose fan belt can affect the battery’s ability to recharge. If a fan belt is frayed or cracked, replace it or have a professional do so.

6. Turn off accessories before turning off your vehicle. Leaving on your radio, car alarm, wipers, headlights, navigation device and inside lights can drain your battery.

7. Keep your battery fully charged when your car is not in use, especially if you will not be using your vehicle for two weeks or more. Invest in a AAA Battery Tender to keep your battery charged.

8. Jump-starting a battery may restart your car and get you back on the go, but it doesn’t fix the reason the car didn’t start. If your car needs a jump, have the battery and electrical system checked.

9. Watch and listen for warning signs. If your headlights dim when you are idling but brighten when you rev the engine, it could signal an electrical system problem. If you hear a grinding or clicking when you turn the ignition to the crank position, your battery may be weak.

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Health Insurance for Your Car
By Jill Perry

Manufacturer warranties are near the top of most car shoppers’ checklists. This agreement by the manufacturer to handle major repairs for a set amount of time or miles accentuates the peace of mind that comes with being a new-car owner. But like most good things, manufacturer warranties end, leaving us exposed to budget-breaking repairs.

That’s where the extended repair warranty comes in. The premium, usually based on the age and mileage of your vehicle, lets you enjoy continued repair protection. It’s like health insurance for your car!

There are plenty of companies offering extended repair warranties. Some good, some not so good. Even the dealership where you bought your car may offer an extended warranty, but you may be expected to return there for repairs.

The AAA extended auto repair warranty is exclusively for AAA members. It lets you enjoy hassle-free coverage from a company that you trust:

• Coverage up to 150,000 miles

• Easy payment plans

• You choose the level of coverage

• Use any licensed repair facility in the U.S. or Canada

• Transferable – can boost value when you sell your car

• Pro-rated refund if you trade in your car.

Visit AAA.com for a free quote or call your local AAA office for more details.

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Auto Techs Seek the 'Right to Repair'
By Christine E. McDermott

AAA Car Doctor John Paul spoke in favor of proposed "Right to Repair" legislation at a recent hearing at the Statehouse.

Barry Steinberg may preside over a chain of automotive repair facilities, but when he encountered a problem with his own Audi, he had to bring it back to the dealer.

Despite investing thousands of dollars in equipment to read the sophisticated computer codes on today’s vehicles, Mr. Steinberg could not access the information he needed to figure out what was happening with his oxygen sensor.

“It’s kind of embarrassing,” he said. “I’m a disgruntled consumer.”

Mr. Steinberg shared his story with the Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure in a recent hearing at the Statehouse. He was one of dozens to speak in favor of proposed “Right to Repair” legislation.

If passed, the law would guarantee repair shops and consumers access to automotive service information and tools. It would prohibit the current practice of auto manufacturers restricting access to repair information.

AAA Merrimack Valley supports “Right to Repair” because it would let consumers choose where to have their cars fixed and because proper maintenance equals better vehicle safety, said John Paul, AAA’s Car Doctor and a certified master automobile technician.

“I believe a person who owns a car owns everything in the car, including the technology — not trade secrets, but the information needed to get the car repaired,” Mr. Paul said.

When he first entered the business 35 years ago, a typical vehicle repair manual was the size of a typical big-city Yellow Pages that any shop could follow. Today, on the popular online database ALLDATA, there are millions of pages of technical information on repairing and servicing cars. But even at that, car manufacturers hold the easy secrets to unlocking many computer codes that control everything from tire pressure to oil changes and ignition keys to brakes.

“I get e-mails from all over the country from people who can’t get their cars fixed at an independent shop,” Mr. Paul said. “The lack of information seems to be a problem.

“Can a local repair shop fix a car with enough time?” he added. “Sure, but time is money, and the consumer ends up paying for it.

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Lowell Memorial Auditorium

The Lowell Memorial Auditorium has been a symbol of entertainment and culture for the Merrimack Valley for almost 90 years. Shortly after the end of World War I, the Lowell Board of Trade proposed plans for the creation of a new monument that would honor local Veterans of all wars. A Memorial Auditorium was decided on as an appropriate structure. 

Nearly two years after its first cornerstone was laid in September of 1920, the city-owned Lowell Memorial Auditorium (LMA) was dedicated on September 21, 1922.  

Acts that have graced this building have included Rudolph Valentino, The 3 Stooges, Cab Callaway, Robin Williams, Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, The Boston Pops and more. The building is also synonymous for housing the New England Golden Gloves Championships for over 65 years.  Rocky Marciano and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler were both crowned champions here.

Today, the auditorium hosts events nearly 200 days out of the year. Individual patrons and groups enjoy world-class entertainment at a convenient and accessible location. The LMA also welcomes groups and extends a discounts for ticket sales of 15 or more. In addition, purchasing tickets through the facility’s Group Sales Department enables large gatherings of friends, families or co-workers to have all seats together plus flexible payments plans. For more information contact the group sales department at (978) 937-8688 ext. 225.

Experience the LMA for Yourself

Attending one of the upcoming 2009 – 2010 season performances is the best way to experience the LMA. Over next several months an eclectic schedule of performances will be presented including popular personalities such as Food Network Star, Guy Fieri and his Roadshow , which is billed as “food, rock n’ roll, and everything they won’t let me do on TV!” Anthony Bourdain of The Discovery Channel show No Reservations is slated to appear in January. No Reservations is a quirky show exploring world cultures and their food via Anthony’s unique perspective. Both Guy and Anthony have “big” personalities and are popular food celebrities who know how to entertain their audiences.

Holiday shows are always a welcome diversion during this busiest of seasons and the LMA has two that are sure to be exciting! The Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra Holiday Concert is a special treat for the entire family. Don’t wait to get your tickets – this show is sure to be a crowd pleaser and very much in demand. However, if country music and classic crooners are your taste – Kenny Rogers Christmas & Hits show is the holiday concert you won’t want to miss.

If you are just too busy to get to a show before the holidays keep in mind that any show would make a great gift and post-holiday productions include Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles, Stomp , and The Chieftans. Spend some time with family and friends at any one of these spectacular performances. Don’t forget, AAA members save 10 percent on select performances when you Show Your Card & Save at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office.

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Earn Your Chef's Hat - Or Just Eat - at the Culinary Institute
By Kim Foley MacKinnon

A tour group glimpses the magic of pastry-making at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

Cat Cora, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Anthony Bourdain — if you know who these people are, or even if you don’t, but just love all things food, you might want to consider a pilgrimage to their alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

The gorgeous 170-acre campus, formerly a Jesuit School built in 1901, sits regally overlooking the Hudson River. It is more than welcoming to guests who want to take a tour or eat at one of the excellent student-run restaurants. For more intense foodies, workshops, seminars and longer one- to five-day boot camps are offered. Prices range from $250 for a workshop to $2,095 for longer programs.

On a public tour, I was surprised to learn the college is a nonprofit whose modest mission is only to “provide the world’s best professional culinary education.” The nonprofit status explains why classrooms and lecture halls are named for sponsors such as the Conrad N. Hilton Library, the General Mills Food Nutrition Center and so on.

As my guide, a current student, took my daughter and me around campus, we got to peek in on some of the 41 kitchens and bakeshops and the five restaurants. Tours are offered whenever the Institute’s school is in session. They’re held at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays and 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, for $5 per person. Having a 10-year-old in tow was a definite advantage on the tour. Pastry chef professors came out of their classrooms with treats for us to taste more than once.

Food enthusiasts can choose from a variety of classes. “Weekends at the CIA” classes take their topics from the many cookbooks the Institute has published. They include everything from bread-baking to Asian cuisine to soups to grilling. The classes are five hours long and include the cookbook you work from and an apron. While most classes are geared toward adults, there is usually a parent and teen day (kids must be at least 12) a couple of times a year.

Boot camps are more intense and hone in on learning and polishing skills. In most classes, you’ll receive a chef’s uniform and eat dinner in one of the school’s restaurants. Topics include a basic training boot camp, skill development, BBQ, Italian cuisine, among many others.

Special holiday programs in November and December include a two-day boot camp ($850) or a class just on holiday pies or cookies ($200). Professor Mark Ainsworth, who often runs the holiday boot camp, tries to get people to move away from some of their ingrained cooking habits. People get “tied to recipes,” especially traditional ones, but he stresses concepts over following a recipe. If you “understand how to roast a turkey, you can roast anything,” he said.

A great component of the class focuses on what to do with leftovers, always a conundrum, especially if the same old turkey sandwiches bore you. You learn how to use all of the turkey, for example, plying the bones for stock, butterflying the breast and making a roulade. During the course, which runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, you will learn carving techniques, tips on making holiday beverages and how to pair wines with courses. And, oh yes, you will be critiqued on your food, which is served up to everyone.

If you’d rather enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor, the campus has you covered. The excellent Apple Pie Bakery Café, run by the pastry chef students, has a nonstop line out the door almost all day long, if the day I was there is any indication. American Bounty restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, features local Hudson River Valley ingredients. Escoffier, in tribute to its famous chef namesake, serves up French cuisine. Other options include the Italian Ristorante Caterina de Medicini and the more casual St. Andrews Café.

Because students staff the restaurants, the prices are unbelievably inexpensive; yet because these are perhaps the next top chefs in the country, the food is outstanding. Bon appétit!

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Cruises Offer Families an Unforgettable Reunion Experience

Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises Cruises offer family members the chance to reunite and relax.

As the holidays approach and families gather to celebrate together, now is the perfect time to plan that big family reunion everyone has always talked about.

The challenge has always been finding the place where Grandma and the teenagers want to go — a place with activities for both the 8-year-old twins and their 40-something parents, and where the college kids can get a cup of coffee and keep up with their online social network.

This can be a near impossible task, but there’s a remarkably simple solution, and best of all, it’s within the reach and budget of every extended family: a family reunion cruise vacation.

Shipboard multigenerational vacations represent one of the fastest growing segments of the cruise industry for many reasons. Tops on the list: On a cruise, all family members can do whatever they want, when they want, individually or with others.

There are babysitters for the youngest travelers, supervised activities for toddlers and young children, clubs and dances for teens, and a broad range of activities for adults and seniors.

Depending on the ship, recreational activities may include climbing walls or ice skating rinks, spa and fitness programs, dance lessons, cooking classes, wine tastings or other learning opportunities.

Multiple choices of dining experiences and venues — from poolside snacks to the most elegant cuisine — ensure all guests enjoy themselves in the style and ambience they prefer.

Daily entertainment, from movies to spectacular Broadway-style musicals, guarantees that every taste and interest is accommodated. And, in each port — there may be as many as six destinations visited during a seven-day cruise — a variety of shore excursions, including golf on some of the world’s best courses, means land excursions of interest to everyone.

Other advantages of a family reunion cruise vacation:

• With pricing that includes accommodations, meals, entertainment, use of most of the ship’s recreational facilities, and travel from destination to destination, any cruise represents excellent value for the money spent. Cruise lines also make special offers to groups. These may include reduced fares for groups as small as eight and free berths for every 10 to 15 paying passengers.

• Family groups may have the option to ensure even greater value by buying everything in advance, including cruise fares, shore excursions, drink packages, spa packages and even pre-paid gratuities.

• Further savings can be realized through reduced fares for third and fourth passengers in each stateroom.

• Cruise lines offer vacations as short as a weekend, making it possible to find an itinerary that meets every family’s needs.

• Family reunions may have opportunities to take advantage of accommodation upgrades, private events, and special shipboard credits and free amenities ranging from family photos, “Fountain Soda Cards” and special family meals.

• Some cruise lines offer personalized shore excursions: customized programs that fit a group’s needs and wishes.

From voyages down the great rivers of Europe to the tropical beaches of the Caribbean, from the charm of the Mediterranean to the glaciers of Alaska, the diversity of cruise experiences means there is a family-friendly cruise vacation for every interest and budget.

As you gather around the table to enjoy your holiday meal, decide to give Grandma a break from cooking next year. Let a cruise line do the cooking for you. The result will be a family reunion that will provide lasting happy memories for everyone.

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November's Special Member Offers
By Megan Gorzkowski

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, enjoy a free brownie sundae at Hard Rock Cafe with a purchase of $25 or more.

November is a great time to take advantage of pre-holiday discounts.

Increase your savings even more when you show your AAA membership card. From golf and fashion discounts to free dessert, here are some of this month’s exclusive offers.

Golf Digest Tee Times

Golf Digest Tee Times is an online service offering discounts at more than 3,300 golf courses. AAA members can sign up on GolfDigestTeeTimes.com for just $39.95 – a savings of $20 off the regular price. Through Dec. 31, though, the deal gets twice as nice. When you sign up for a one-year online subscription, you get a free subscription for a friend or family member. That’s two subscriptions for less than the price of one!

Hard Rock Cafe

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, members who show their AAA card receive a free brownie sundae with a purchase of $25 or more. This is in addition to the everyday AAA savings of 10 percent off food, non-alcoholic beverages and merchandise purchased at Hard Rock Cafe. Offer valid at locations throughout the United States, San Juan, Toronto and Ottawa. One free sundae per membership, per visit.

New York & Co.

Stock up on stylish new clothes for holiday festivities at New York & Company. Save 25 percent on your entire in-store purchase Nov. 9 to 22 when you present your AAA card. Can’t make it during those dates? No worries – members save 15 percent every day when they show their AAA card. Call (877) 902-7521 or visit www.nyandcompany.com to find a store near you.

Want to learn more about the many ways you can Show Your Card & Save every day?

Visit AAA.com/catchthediscounts now through Dec. 31 to play the “Catch the Discounts” Game. Enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win a Shop ‘Til You Drop Vacation Package or one of hundreds of Visa Gift Cards awarded daily.

For more information on these AAA Show Your Card & Save offers and more, visit AAA.com/discounts. Restrictions apply.

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Hopes & Dreams at Cape JFK Museum
By Karen White

The Hyannis museum honors JFK through personal photos.

Greeting visitors at the John F. Kennedy Museum in Hyannis is an oversized photo of nine brothers and sisters in matching striped bathing suits, each a stair-step shorter than the last. Their grins hold the promise of the future, one of big dreams and ambitions woven by father Joseph.

The story of how many of those ambitions were realized and how so many dreams dissipated in tragedy is left to other museums. This small Main Street museum isn’t the whole history book but simply a front-page dedication from JFK to his beloved Cape Cod.

Photographs are the main medium; captions are to the point. Instead of facts, it’s a feeling of JFK that visitors get this was Jack, summer of ’62, wind-blown hair, squinting into the sun, smiling.

These were the days when locals kept up with the latest fashions by spying on Jacqueline as she exited St. Francis Xavier Church. There’s Carolyn, sticking out her tongue, riding a pony, and John Jr. pretending to drive a car, feet dangling mid-air. And photos of sailing, always sailing, as if the family lived on the waters of Nantucket Sound instead of in the expansive compound perched ashore.

The docent will happily talk about how celebrations for Rose’s birthday were held on the beach, how many rooms are in the main house, how cousin Maria Shriver and hubby Schwarzenegger this summer had coffee across the street when Ethel was in the hospital. The famous couple had to sneak out the back, but the curious were there for him, not her. Hyannis folk generally leave the Kennedys alone, she said. Always have.

The John F. Kennedy Museum is a snapshot of a man without cares, without pain finding peace and relaxation, as so many do, along the shores of Cape Cod.

For info, call (508) 790-3077, or visit www.jfkhyannismuseum.org.

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Passenger Safety 101

As a driver, you have the responsibility to keep yourself and your passengers safe at all times. This is a huge responsibility, and it’s one that every driver must make a high priority. And on the flip side, passengers can do their part to help the driver.

7 Ways to Keep Your Passengers Safe

1. Make them wear seatbelts.

2. Keep children in appropriate child-safety seats.

3. Never drink and drive.

4. Don’t get involved in intense, emotional discussions while driving.

5. Let them read maps, change CDs and do other in-car tasks.

6. Say no, if they ask you to drive when conditions aren’t safe.

7. Keep passengers to a minimum with teen drivers.

9 Ways to Be A Safe Passenger

1. Always wear your seatbelt.

2. Never let a drunk, distracted or upset driver get behind the wheel.

3. Don’t engage the driver in intense, emotional discussions.

4. Help keep children and other passengers calm.

5. Navigate and do other in-car tasks, like changing music.

6. Encourage the driver to stop for food and rest.

7. Don’t push anyone to drive in unsafe conditions.

8. Ensure children are in size-appropriate car seats.

9. Keep drivers calm and help them avoid aggressive behavior.

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Meet Your AAA Travel Agent - Jody Thibault

Jody Thibault AAA Travel Agent

I entered the Travel industry as a second career after 30 years as an account executive for the Boston Globe. Travel has always been a part of my life that I have felt very passionate about.

Traveling to exotic locations and historic destinations is something everyone dreams about and I wanted to help make those dreams come true for others as well as myself. A new career doing something I love while helping other people realize their travel dreams – what could be better?

My specialty is Europe and my favorite destination is Italy but there are many places I haven’t been so I’m sure that might change!

The greatest joy in my position as a Travel Agent is to send my clients off on their long-awaited journey – whether it’s a tour, cruise or visiting friends or relatives – and then hearing from them upon their return home.

I love to get the “low down” on what they saw and experienced and what the highlights of their trip were.

Many times during their travels clients come back so energized they want to pass on helpful hints for me to give to others. The enthusiam of travel is contagious.

Along with sending my clients off on their magnificent journeys, I find one of the skills I have developed and enjoy is helping my customers get the most value for their money.

I get fullfillment in researching tours and travel options to find the best trip at the best price for each traveler. This doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be the lowest price but it does mean getting the most value for dollar.

I have learned there are many reasons to use a Travel Agent. The most important one is that we act as an advocate for our client.

This really gives a sense of security to travelers because they know someone back home is available to take care of any problems during or after their trip.

I recently helped a couple that needed to reschedule their flight from Bermuda in the wake of Hurricane Bill. I hate to think of what they might have endured if I hadn’t been back home coordinating flight arrangements for them.

I’m sure they would have spent hours on their cell phones or waiting to use the hotel’s computer trying to rearrange their flight.

Online travel bargains and travel websites may appear tempting but if you are not booking with a AAA consultant or on AAA.com – you could end up with a travel nightmare.

One such incident was averted when a woman contacted me after she had booked an online cruise (and not on AAA.com.) She wanted to make a change to her booking and called the 800 number she had found on the website.

She had such a difficult time getting “the right” person to talk to that she came right down to our offices. She told me that if she had such a hard time talking to a real person before she went on the cruise what will she do if something happens during her trip? She canceled with the online agency and booked with us.

She felt confident investing her hard-earned money and travel dreams with someone she’s met and whom she knows will always be available to her both on the phone and in person.

I recently read the “Top 10 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent” in TravelAgent Central – I think it makes my case perfectly!

1. You “googled” Mexico Vacation and came up with 17.8 million responses. Need a little help editing those choices?

2. Remember when you used that obscure website to book your hotel and when you got there you spent your beach vacation overlooking the parking lot?

3. How many hours were you on hold with the airline when your flight was canceled because of a snowstorm? (or hurricane?).

4. Did you really mean to spend your honeymoon at that resort whose one tiny pool was filled all day with 12 screaming children?

5. Who knew that when you booked that “villa” in Tuscany it would be a small room with a kitchenette and no air conditioning? Funny it looked much better on your computer screen.

6. No one explained to you that it’s winter in Rio in July and you showed up there with nothing but five Hawaiian shirts and three pair of swim trunks.

7. How about the time you really needed a restful vacation and ended up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?

8. Yes, I guess that hotel must have used a telephoto lens when they took a picture of those guest rooms that you saw on their website.

9. I suppose contacting the Attorney General to resolve the fact that the Internet site has billed your credit card three times instead of once is the only route to take at this point.

10. It was definitely odd that there were not cab drivers at the airport a 3 a.m. when you finally landed in Costa Rica, but booking a transfer to your very remote hotel would have been a good thing to remember when you purchased your ticket and hotel online.

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