Whether it’s a trip to London or a weekend getaway, a AAA Travel agent will take care of all the arrangements and help to create a memorable vacation.

Travel consumers are facing airline security and safety, company mergers or closings and ads for bargain trips. Today’s travel environment is changing rapidly, and it’s vital that you know how these changes may affect your plans. Now is not the time to go it alone–get the help of a professional travel agent.

Dedicated travel agents consistently upgrade their skills and expertise to deliver the very best to their customers. To find one of these dedicated professionals, visit your nearest AAA Travel office.

AAA Travel’s more than 5,000 travel agents are located at more than 1,000 offices in the United States and Canada. Every AAA Travel agent must complete a specified number of hours in advanced product knowledge and skill-building training each year. At AAA, it’s a requirement.

So is testing. Not only must AAA Travel agents complete the required training, they are carefully tested and graded on their newly acquired expertise.

In addition to the required training program developed and coordinated by AAA, many AAA Travel agents go on to advance their professionalism through a two-level certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, AAA’s preferred travel education partner. Graduates earn the highly regarded Certified Travel Counselor–CTC–and Certified Travel Associate– CTA–designations.

In addition to the CTC and CTA designations, AAA Travel agents can train to become destination specialists, said Sue Wells, director of AAA travel.

“They take training with certain vendors to become experts in certain areas of the world, or in certain product areas, such as cruising,” Wells said.

“The real winner in the training circle is the AAA member,” said Lynda Gwynn, CTC, director, Quality & Education, AAA Travel Services.

AAA Travel agents have traveled the world and completed site inspections at numerous properties. When they recommend a vacation to a client, it often comes from first-hand experience. In addition, they stay informed about specials offered by companies and properties.

AAA Travel, with agencies nationwide, can offer its clients the bonus of established relationships with travel suppliers.

“This allows for generous discounts and top-notch service,” Wells said. “Because AAA is nationwide, we do a great deal of business with our suppliers and they will work with us.”

Cost-conscious consumers may think they can find better travel bargains on the internet, however that’s not always true.

“We have some first-hand examples of situations where a customer booked through the internet, called us to gather more information, and we were able to rebook them at a better rate,” Wells said.

Travel agents also offer consumers something the internet cannot–personalized service. According to a study released by AAA in October, seven out of 10 adult leisure travelers polled said they will rely as much or more on the advice of travel agents than they did before the events of Sept. 11.

“After the Sept. 11 attacks, many travelers who booked their own travel on the internet called AAA for assistance. They discovered the value of having a travel professional work with them and for them,” said Wells.

To discover what a AAA Travel agent can do for you, call 1-888-FON-4AAA.