Are Home Based Travel Agents SAFE to buy from?

I got this question the other day,,,,,,,,,and I had to stop and think of it from a potential client's point of view.

I've been in the Travel industry in one form or another for MANY years,,,,over 25 to be exact.

I've NEVER had an issue,,,,,,,,I've NEVER mis-used a customer's credit card.

But how do YOU know that?

So I really had to think about it.  With so much credit card fraud out there, I don't blame my clients for being a bit iffy. And if you choose to pay by check or cash, it can get worse.

So here's the scoop,,,,,,,,,,

ANYONE you give your credit card to could potentially steal it. If you give it to a hotel front desk clerk, she could steal it. I've seen this happen.

If you buy something online, someone could steal the number.

Yet people do this ALL the time. But when it comes to giving your credit card to a home based agent,,,,,,,,

people worry.

So for any potential customers out there,,,,,,,,,,,,,I want to alleviate your fears.

If you don't want to give ME your credit card number,,,,,,,,THAT'S OK.

There are many choices!

You can mail me a check (If there's time) made out to Cruise Brothers. Check them out. They are legitimate.They have an A+ rating with the BBB.

You can mail the check DIRECTLY to Cruise Brothers.

I do not take cash. That is to protect me,,AND YOU.

I can give you the number to Cruise Brothers, and you can call THEM directly with your credit card number, keeping me TOTALLY out of the loop for payment.

You can call the PROVIDER directly with your credit card number. OR we can call TOGETHER.

Frankly,,,,,,,,I really don't NEED to see your credit card number, if that makes you uncomfortable.

My job is to make sure payment HAPPENS. It's not necessarily to have that form of payment MYSELF.

The rest of my job,,,,,,,,,,booking your trip,  making sure all goes as planned, getting you any high volume discounts through Cruise Brothers that you may be entitled to, checking your documents,,,,,,,,,,all of that does NOT require me to ever VIEW your credit card or have the number.

When payment DOES happen, two things will occur.

1) You will receive an email from Cruise Brothers stating your payment.

2) You will receive an email from the Provider (Carnival Cruise Lines, Collette Vacations,,,,,,,,etc,,,,,the company that actually PROVIDES the vacation.) stating your payment has been made TO THEM.

I am more than happy to take your credit card number and make the payment for you, if that's more comfortable for you. I am fully insured as a legitimate agent for Cruise Brothers.

But if this makes you uncomfortable (and who could blame you these days),,,,,,I don't HAVE to.

I do hope this helped to alleviate some worry!

And if you choose another home based travel agent, PLEASE ask them one simple question.

"who is your host agency?"

THEN CHECK OUT THAT AGENCY!

My host agency is Cruise Brothers, a giant in the travel industry since 1972 with a BBB rating of A+, and I am ALWAYS willing to give you any information you need to feel comfortable!