By DEBORAH A. MILES
PEF Travel is the place to go whether you’re booking a cruise to Alaska, a couple of weeks in Asia, or just need an overnight flight to Disney World.
What gives PEF Travel a five-star rating, compared to other agencies or booking a tour yourself via the Internet, is the service. PEF Travel is a full-service agency that gives members a 5 percent rebate on their bookings for a tour, cruise or package plan.
Its highly rated service is provided by a dedicated and qualified staff, seasoned in the travel industry.
“We
have three travel consultants and each has the know-how and patience needed
to get the details right for a trip,” said Robin Cammans, manager of PEF
Travel. “We make a lot of easy reservations, but sometimes a member will
want to go to Thailand where there are more requirements. We do all the
research for our members when it comes to VISAs and other necessary travel
documents.”The staff includes Tara Bentley, Elaine Carpenter and Kristen Pallack. They are accustomed to dealing with travelers who have many different needs. Some members plan trips to major metropolitan areas just to see a concert or new art exhibit, while others want to relax in the warm breezes of the Caribbean.
The staff agrees the busy months are in the beginning of the year, when people who live in the northeast want a reprieve from “old man winter.” And business picks up in the fall, when cruises and trips to Italy become the “in” thing to do.
“Our members are adventurous people,” Cammans said. “We offer suggestions even though some will spend hours checking things out on the Internet. Others have learned to trust our expertise, as we have a growing number of repeat customers.”
Some online cruises and tours will send customers electronic junk mail, but that’s one thing PEF Travel doesn’t do. It respects a member’s privacy. Even booking a room online can raise some red flags.
“They are usually non-refundable. You own the room once you book it on the Internet,” Cammans said.
