Travel agencies in North Carolina provide an invaluable service to business and leisure travelers alike. A business owner doesn’t need to contact corporate travel agencies in North Carolina with a complete focus on business travel in order to get the extras travelers have come to expect with those specialized agencies. Any professional, licensed travel agent in North Carolina can book your business travel plans just as well as those “other guys.” Added bonuses are the personalized service that you will receive and the relationship you will build with them over time.

Considering more than one North Carolina travel agency will ensure you are getting one what will work the best with your company’s needs. If you’re looking for travel agencies in NC, follow these steps:

1. Find North Carolina travel agencies.

2. Validate their professional credentials.

3. Find out about travel rewards programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate various North Carolina travel agencies

Many travel agents in NC have websites that you can browse to get an idea of the services they offer.

I recommend: Tripology.com is a great resource that will put you in touch with the right travel agency in your area to meet your needs. A Way To Go Travel offers services to meet just about all business travel needs and they are located in Greensboro. Maupin Travel has offices in Raleigh, Cary and Chapel Hill and works hard to keep your travel costs down as well as offering 24 Hour Emergency Service. Travel Center of Durham dedicates itself to making your travel arranging go smoothly.

Verify the professional credentials and association memberships of the travel agencies in NC

Make sure that the North Carolina travel agent you are considering has the applicable training and credentials.

I recommend: The Travel Institute offers various professional certification programs. Their website offers a search function to find one of their certified members in your area. The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) is one of the largest professional travel associations available. Check their list of Allied Members to see if the North Carolina travel agency that you are considering is a member. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) lets you search for accredited members throughout North Carolina.

Ask North Carolina travel agents about any discount programs available

Your NC travel agent will be able to tell you what travel clubs or rewards programs are available to you. Many credit card companies offer travel incentives and popular travel associations offer discounts in all aspects of your planning. Your agent will be able to input any membership numbers when making your plans to ensure you are credited the correct points and mileage.

I recommend: American Express has a small business travel rewards program where you can gain points on all purchases to use towards both business and leisure travel. American Airlines has their AAdvantage program where you collect frequent flier miles to use for future flights, class upgrades and more. They also have their Business ExtrAA program, that will earn you travel rebates in a program that is specifically designed to lower your business travel costs. Finally, if you hold a personal AAA membership, then you have all of their member benefits available to you such as hotel and rental car discounts and travel insurance. They have an office in Charlotte that will be able to get you started.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  NC travel agents have tricks of the trade to access special non-advertised deals. Discuss exactly what travel details you are looking for and chances are they will be able to accommodate you.