From: sjain@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Sanjay Jain)
Subject: TRAVEL SURVEY (July 1992)
Originator: sjain@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1992 01:01:55 GMT


                  A SURVEY OF TRAVEL AGENTS (July 14, 1992)   

==============================================================================
If you had a good or bad experience with a travel agent, please send me 
e-mail so that your experience can be recorded here for the benefit of 
other travelers. Participation in documenting our latest experiences is 
essential to make this survey useful.  

Please include the date (at least the month and year) of your experience,
so travel agents who show improvements get the credit for it. Also, we
can see who are consistently 'good' agents.

The survey is based on personal experiences only. Travel agents (mostly
deshi) who deal with travel to India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Nepal/Sri Lanka 
are surveyed based on actual experiences. This is not a posting for commercial
advertisement for or against any travel agent. In particular, I cannot
and will not accept any responsibility for some travel agent's loss
of business or any damages arising out of this posting.

Regards .... Sanjay

==============================================================================
General Notes: (These will grow as more and more information comes in)

 1. Charging your tickets to a credit card is safer. Many travel agents
    charge about 3% to 4% more to use this facility. Ask your agent.
    Also insist on getting the credit slip (customer's copy) after you
    pay by credit card. This will help you with the paper work with the
    credit card companies, Better Business Bureau and so on in case you are
    owed a refund and the agent gets nasty.  The practice of charging extra
    for credit cards is not legal.  You can report it to the local business
    authorities but I don't know if they will (can) do anything.
 2. Some agents charge you full fare if you pay by credit card, and then
    reimburse the difference between full fare and discounted fare. In
    one case the agent has not reimbursed the difference. So be cautious.
 3. In most cases you need to keep calling the agent to remind him/her to
    mail you the tickets in time.
 4. If possible, make your own reservations with the airlines directly,
    and contact a travel agent just for the tickets. This may not always
    work, since airlines may be overbooked during peak periods. Travel
    agents usually buy blocks of seats from airlines.
 5. In case you are just shopping for a price, do not tell the agent about
    the reservations you made with the airlines directly. Just get a price
    quote. Otherwise you leave a chance to the travel agent to take over the 
    ticketing without your authorization.
 6. Insist that the travel agent mails you the tickets by certified mail
    to avoid the inconvenience if tickets get lost in mail.
 7. Make sure that the address on your cheque is your current address, or
    cross the old address off. This way the agent would know not to mail
    the tickets to the old address on cheque.
 8. Ask the agent and/or airlines if you need to join the frequent flyer
    programme in advance.
 9. Don't depend on this survey blindly. Do your homework and shop around
    to get a good and safe deal.
10. Plan ahead early enough.
11. If a travel owes you a refund and gives you a hard time about it, you
    may try approaching Better Business Bureau. It worked in one case.
12. Check the back of the ticket to see if the ticket was altered by the
    agent. In one case, the ticket was originally under a different name, and
    the agent had used red ink to emulate the red-carbon-copy. This was
    noticeable on the back side of the ticket.
13. Do take the time to send me an e-mail to document your experience.
    Please include the items required for the following table and more
    about what you went through.
14. If possible, forward a copy of this survey to your agent to make them
    aware that they are being watched.
===============================================================================

Minor hassles, such as 'you need to keep calling the agent to remind to mail
you the tickets' are lumped in good experiences. See the comments column too.

Numbers in square brackets (e.g. [1]) indicate the number of responses since
the last survey posting.

Credit Card Column:
    Y means credit card accepted at no extra charge
    N means credit card not accepted
    R means credit card is accepted with extra charge that is refunded later
    X means credit card is accepted with extra charge

    additional comments/qualifications are indicated by an asterisk (*)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agent Name, Address    | Experience  | Credit |  Latest    |
and Phone Number       | Good | Bad  | Card   | Experience |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALIFORNIA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continental Travels    |  0   |  1   |        |            |
San Jose               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
408-293-2880           |Did not inform about unconfirmed reservations,
                       |canceled flights etc.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continental Travels    |  0   |  1   |   N    | Oct, 1991  |
Union City             |      |      |        |            | 
415-471-2344           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Delayed mailing tickets. Initially bookings were OK,
                       |but 2 days before departure one overseas leg was
                       |unbooked. The domestic return flight was canceled.
                       |Airlines claimed they had notified the agent, but
                       |the agent denied such a notification.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-Z Travels            |  1   |  0   |        | Dec, 1990  |
Los Angeles            |      |      |        |            |
310-836-1477           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Very efficient and courteous. Works hard to keep
                       |customers happy. Returns calls and keeps you informed
                       |once they know you will buy tickets from them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hacienda Travels       |  1   |  0   |   N    | ??? 1990   |
Sunnyvale              +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Helpful, payment by check only.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jet Wings Travel       |  1   |  0   |        | Jan, 1992  |
Shirley                |      |      |        |            |
San Diego              +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
619-272-0300           |Cooperative, competitive rates, promptly returns calls.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khajala Travels        |  1   |  0   |        | Oct, 1990  |
Los Angeles (Alhambra) |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Polite service, reasonable prices.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kohinoor Travels       |  4   |  0   |   X    | May, 1991  |
Santa Clara            |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Low price. Inefficient and slow, but not bad.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maazda Travels         |  3   |  0   |   N    | June, 1991 |
213-273-9100           |      |      |        |            |
Beverly Hills, CA      +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Courteous, efficient. Low price. Helpful in a case of
                       |a missed connection. Sent tickets by federal express
                       |($7.00 charge) when faxed a copy of the cheque.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Onkar Travels          |  1   |  1   |        | Oct, 1991  |
San Francisco          |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Rude. Lied about ticket being ready. Helpful, no
                       |complaints.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Om Travels             |  1   |  0   |   X    |            |
Mr. Kishin             |      |      |        |            |
Santa Clara            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
408-988-2090           |If he is doubtful, says so clearly. Sent faxes to India
                       |of university students. Hunts for the cheapest deal.tive
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parus Travel and Tour  |  8   |  2   |   X    | May, 1992  |
Los Angeles            |      | [1]  |        |            |
818-981-6060           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
213-380-6600           |Quick. No problems. Polite, courteous. Suggest ways to
                       |beat the complexities of regulations regarding
                       |stopovers, minimum stay, etc. Helpful with changes
                       |in travel plan. Kept the quoted low price even after
		       |the airlines raised it becuase of oil prices.  
		       |Recently, he has received a lot of negative publicity
		       |on the net.  Please be careful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Travels            |  2   |  0   |        | Dec, 1991  |
San Jose               | [1]  |      |        |            |
408-578-3598           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
408-365-9809           |Prompt, courteous, competitive price. Helpful with
                       |emergency ticketing and when ticket was lost. He tends
		       |to do some last minute work.  So be careful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sai Travels            |  1   |  1   |        | Oct, 1991  |
Freemont, CA           |      |      |        |            |
415-790-3434           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
510-657-1724??         |Reliable, courteous. Had to send in partial payment
                       |($400) after which they confirmed ticket and promptly
                       |mailed it. Put on hold for 8 minutes, took down info,
                       |but never called back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sai Travels            |  3   |  2   |        | May, 1991  |
Newark, CA             |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Not rude. Near-perfect service once.
                       |Raised prices once. Last minute rush.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sai Travels            |  0   |  3   |        | Dec, 1990  |
San Jose               |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Rude. Asked for payment 2 months in advance, and did
                       |not send tickets for a month. Needed to pick up the
                       |tickets in person.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skybird Travel & Tours |  0   |  1   |        | Oct, 1991  |
Freemont               |      |      |        |            |
510-792-0666           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Did not keep track of customer file, and asked for
                       |info from scratch three different times when customer
                       |called. Did not return call.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunnyvale Globe  Travel|  2   |  0   |   X    | Dec, 1991  |
Mahesh Suri            |      |      |        |            |
408-245-5090           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |No problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trips & Travel         |  1   |  0   |        | Jun, 1992  |
San Jose               | [1]  |      |        |            |
408-432-9508           +------------------------------------------------------
Contact: Vijaya        |Provide pretty good service and prices.
		       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Tours & Travel  |  3   |  0   |   X    | Oct, 1991  |
Najib, Ruksana         |      |      |        |            |
Newark, CA             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
415-794-8890??         |Polite, returns calls, no problems with reservations.
510-794-8890           |Competitive rates. Prompt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upul's Travel Service  |  1   |  0   |    X   | Summer 1992 |
Los Angeles            | [1]  |      |        |             |
818-918-9770           +------------------------------------------------------
213-686-1616           |Doesn't make promises he can't keep.  Explains things 
		       |clearly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONNECTICUT: 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Travels      |  5   |  0   |   Y    | Dec, 1991  |
Connecticut            |      |      |        |            |
800-922-3267           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
203-562-4557           |Reliable. May not be the cheapest. Efficient. Good
                       |deals on Sabena Belgian Airlines. Got confirmed seats
                       |on Air India on the day of travel with less than
                       |5 hours to catch flight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MICHIGAN:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geetha Pradeep         |  26  |  7   |   Y    | Dec, 1991  |
Troy, Michigan         | [1]  |      | X AmEx |            |
313-689-5201           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Reliable. Works best if contacted well in advance.
                       |Helpful and prompt.
                       |Has 9:30PM to 11:30PM office hours on Tue, Wed and Thu.
                       |In one case raised prices, and mailed tickets at the
                       |last moment. Seat not booked properly in one case.
                       |In one case, had to call often, and stay on the line
                       |(long distance) while she attended another client.
                       |Issued a wrong ticket for connecting flight, and did
                       |not respond well to correct the mistake.
                       |Puts you on hold for unreasonably long time. Rude.
                       |Just too busy to provide a quality service.
                       |Quoted false higher figure for penalty to change ticket-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Network         |  3   |  0   |   X    | Aug, 1991  |
Geetha (not Pradeep)   |      |      |        |            |
800-634-8747           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Troy, Michigan         |Courteous, efficient. Called back immediately to admit
                       |that she had mistakenly quoted lower price.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Travels         |  2   |  1   |        | April,1991 |
Dearborn, MI           |      |      |        |            |
800-521-4684/4685      +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
313-565-3736           |Mr. Ganesan was courteous. Reasonable price for one-way
                       |ticket from Delhi to Houston.
                       |Mr. Ganesan misinformed about reservations and then
                       |did not issue tickets. Refused to send invoice for
                       |payment. Did not help in confirming return journey
                       |despite sufficient advance notice. Rude.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asfar Travels          |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Rashida Lokhandawala   |      |      |        |            |
Tampa, Florida         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
813-626-5522           |Good deal. No problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollarwise Travels     |  1   |  0   |   X    | March, 1991|
Bharat Patel           |      |      |        |            |
Miami, Florida         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Khaled Quaraishi       |Helpful, reliable.
800-343-0071           |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orient Express Travel  |  4   |  1   |   X    | April, 1990|
Rashid Rafi            |      |      |        |            |
Tampa, Florida         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
800-BUY-TRVL           |Helpful, particular. Responsive, polite. Offered a
                       |very competitive price on Air France.
                       |Did not refund $25 deposit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GEORGIA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everest Travels        |  1   |  0   |        | June, 1990 |
Atlanta                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Reliable, reasonable rates
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. J. Travels          |  3   |  0   |   N    | Aug, 1990  |
Atlanata, GA           |      |      |        |            |
404-292-3729           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Courteous, particular, fair price. Mohsin Bharmal at
                       |this agency suggested a cheaper travel by BA instead
                       |of PanAm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Padmini Travels        |  1   |  1   |        | July, 1990 |
Atlanta                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
800-950-9057           |Uncooperative. A bit more costly. Did not inform
                       |about canceled connection. But still reliable.
                       |In jail for fraud (see emails for 08/13/90 survey)
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ILLINOIS:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alien Travels          |  0   |  2   |        | Jun, 1990  |
Chicago                |      | [1]  |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Avoided speaking when called after making a mistake in
                       |booking. Had an 800 number, but did not furnish it
                       |in time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BestWay Travels and    |  0   |  1   |        | Dec, 1991  |
Tours                  |      |      |        |            |
Karamat Sheikh         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
800-468-4940           |Started out courteous with good deals but later backed
312-465-4949           |out. Bookings were wait listed, but cashed cheque
                       |immediately. Refunded $50 less for cancellation of
                       |the wait listed tickets after some struggle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Far East Travels & Tour|  0   |  1   |        | Jan, 1992  |
Chicago                |      | [1]  |        |            |
Contact: Sam George    +------------------------------------------------------
                       |Lied about reservations.  Insised that money be sent
		       |3 months in advance.  Got rude after he got the money.
		       |Repeatedly said everything was confirmed when nothing
		       |was.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fly World Travels      |  4   |  1   |        | Dec, 1991  |
Jaffar Abbas           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Chicago                |Cheapest deal for India to U.S. travel. Sent tickets
800-628-3222           |to party in India at no charge. Prompt. Reliable.
312-728-9495           |Lied about confirmation of tickets, never called
                       |back, rude (this was the latest experience)..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future Travels         |  3   |  0   |        | Oct, 1991  |
Jagan Reddy            |      |      |        |            |
Chicago.               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-663-5999           |Good Service. Reliable; sent tickets before payment.
                       |Also informed about transit visa requirements for
                       |Canada. Book on routes through Europe so as to cause
                       |minimal waiting at the airports.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mona Travels           |  2   |  0   |        | July, 1990 |
Chicago, IL            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-427-6800           |Helpful and prompt.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puja Travel, Sam       |  5   |  0   |        | Dec, 1991  |
Chicago                | [1]  |      |        |            |
708-241-4700           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
(fax)708-241-4772      |Nice. Sent tickets within 3-4 days after payment.
Contact: Anju          |Helpful in getting tickets with a short notice.
                       |Courteous, willing to discuss alternative routes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rama World Travels     |  2   |  0   |        |  1992      |
Chicago                |      |      |        |            |
800-TEL-RAMA           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Ms. Shyama Kapur       |Reliable. Prompt. Courteous. Competitive rates. Have
                       |been around for many years. Lately not prompt. Delayed
                       |mailing tickets but said on phone that tickets were
                       |mailed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Travels          |  1   |  0   |        | July, 1990 |
Jose Korattiyal        |      |      |        |            |
Chicago, IL            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-509-9600           |Prompt, reliable, goo deal.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeway Travels        |  0   |  6   |        | Aug, 1989  |
Chicago                |      |      |        |            |
800-458-9880           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Don't even think of getting tickets from safeway. Rude,
                       |asked for payment 2 months in advance, raised prices.
                       |Returned only $2800 out of $2900 two days before the
                       |flight, bogus bookings. Similar experience even when
                       |bookings were done early (4 months in advance).
                       |Had to approach Better Business Bureau to get refund.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shama Travels          |  2   |  1   |        | July, 1990 |
Chicago                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-338-4100           |Pretty efficient. Not very courteous. Not rude either.
                       |Reliable. Sends written confirmation of travel plan
                       |before asking for payment. Misquoted price causing
                       |last minute purchase at a $150 premium.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Charles Travel     |  1   |  1   |        | March, 1991|
Hamid Kazi             |      |      |        |            |
Chicago                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-263-6726           |Hamid Kazi also operates under Travel Corner. Refused
312-327-1920           |to book without payment, and then did not refund when
                       |booking was canceled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade Wings, Raj       |  0   |  2   |        | May, 1991  |
Chicago                |      |      |        |            |
312-764-2300           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Did not send confirmation and did not charge the fare
                       |after finalizing the deal. Raj is particularly lazy
                       |and inconsiderate. They tell you that a seat is
                       |confirmed, when actually it is wait-listed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Center          |  1   |  0   |        | June, 1990 |
Naren Soni             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Chicago                |Courteous, helpful. Prices slightly higher.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Corner Inc.     |  0   |  1   |        | March, 1991|
Hamid Kazi             |      |      |        |            |
Chicago                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
312-263-6725           |Hamid Kazi also operates under St. Charles Travel.
312-327-1920           |Refused to book without payment, and then did not
                       |refund when the booking was canceled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOUISIANA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-1 Travels            |  1   |  0   |   Y    | May, 1991  |
Neel Banerjee          |      |      |        |            |
Bengal Imports         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
504-769-1626           |Reliable, efficient & reasonable price.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARYLAND:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.P. Travels           |  1   |  1   |        |            |
Langley Park, Maryland |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |without customer authorization. When asked to releaseing
                       |ticketing back to airlines, canceled reservations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASSACHUSSETTS:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Always Travel          |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Waltham, MA            |      |      |        |            |
617-894-5885           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Fax: 617-893-3654      |Reasonable price, very good service, explained options
                       |(apex, 14-day excursion etc.), trustworthy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Express Travel         |  1   |  0   |        | June, 1991 |
Rita Gupta             |      |      |        |            |
Milford, MA            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
508-634-8572           |Went out of her way to help in case of lost tickets in
Fax: 508-634-8596      |India.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regency Travels,       |  3   |  0   |        | July, 1991 |
Hansa Shah             |      |      |        |            |
Waltham, MA            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
617-891-8422           |Reliable, trustworthy. Somewhat rude. Helpful in last
                       |minute arrangements for emergency travel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sasta Travels          |  5   |  2   |        | May, 1992  |
Boston                 | [1]  |      |        |            |
508-369-0050           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Contact: Mr. Narayanan |Never returned call. Took full payment for a canceled
                       |flight. Yet to return the money. Mailed tickets at
                       |the last moment. Mr. Narayanan here seemed prompt
                       |efficient, professional and helpful.  Other people in
                       |this company were not as cooperative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Arrangement     |  3   |  1   |        | March, 1990|
Boston                 |      |      |        |            |
Boston                 +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
617-862-8400           |Prompt service. Reliable. The 800-OK-INDIA number
                       |does not exist anymore. Cheap fares with Air Canada.
                       |One of the three staff persons was rude, quoted
                       |different fares at different times in 2-3 weeks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
University Travels     |  0   |  1   |        | Nov. 1987  |
Minneapolis            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
612-339-9278           |Booked 1 instead of 3 seats Made false promises about
(Kanwaljit Singh)      |alternate airline. Charged extra to cover his mistake.
                       |Was sued - he lost.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISSOURI: 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seema Travels, Jagruti |  1   |  0   |        |            |
St. Louis, Missouri    +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
314-423-9990           |Competitive price.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW YORK:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.P. Tours and Travels |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Sunny                  +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
New York               |No problems.
212-599-4250           |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Travel System |  0   |  1   |        |            |
Imran                  |      |      |        |            |
New York               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Quoted a very low fare, but then delivered tickets
                       |very late. Also charged $200 extra to credit card.
                       |Lied and gave an invalid FedEx number.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Way Travel    |  1   |  0   |   N    | Oct, 1991  |
Dinesh Kumar           |      |      |        |            |
New York               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
212-686-1155           |Got confirmation to fly to Brasil on PanAm when other
                       |agents could not get seats. Polite, professional.
                       |Does not return calls except for the final confirmation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bengal Travel Service  |  1   |  0   |   X    | May, 1990  |
Khaled Choudhary       |      |      |        |            |
New York               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
212-807-8255 (off)     |Prompt, polite. Called on April 30 for travel on
718-805-9506 (res)     |May 12. Got tickets on May 2 by fedex (charged for
                       |that). Does not call you back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classy Travel and Tours|  0   |  1   |        | June, 1991 |
New York               |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Issued a ticket originally under a different name by
                       |using red ink to emulate red-carbon-copy. The agent
                       |got ticket from Hari World Travels who said that this
                       |was a mistake by a newly-hired staff since they ran
                       |out of PanAm tickets.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complete Travels, NY   |  5   |  0   |        | June, 1991 |
Hari Darshan           |      |      |        |            |
212-563-3422           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Reliable. Helpful with last minute changes in plans.
                       |Offered to refund without cancellation fee if visa
                       |problems prevented travel. Refunded old tickets in
                       |lieu of new ones without penalty or price hike.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elite Travels          |  0   |  1   |        | April, 1991|
New York               |      |      |        |            |
800-ASK-ABED           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Took $400 down payment for tickets, and did not get
                       |reservations. Then raised price by about $400.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four Seasons Travels   |  3   |  1   |   X    | Nov, 1991  |
Manhattan, NY          |      |      |        |            |
212-779-9622           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Reasonable price. Efficient. Did not return calls and
                       |fax messages. Hold on long distance calls for long time
                       |Asked for $100 to make confirmed bookings. Confirmation
                       |on Air France never came through. Didn't send tickets
		       |till the last moment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future Travels         |  3   |  0   |        | Mar, 1992  |
New York               |      |      |        |            |
212-789-8500           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Contact: Harshad       |OK, but never sure if the bookings are confirmed till
                       |last minute. But he manages to get them somehow always.
                       |Returned full amount for a canceled IA domestic ticket.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glamor Travel          |  0   |  1   |   N    | Dec, 1987  |
Jackson Heights        +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Raised prices indirectly, return reservations not
                       |confirmed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hari World Travel      |  0   |  1   |        | July, 1987 |
Manhatten, NY          |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Sold unconfirmed tickets. Refused to refund.
                       |Got refund because it was charged to AmEx.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K & S Travels          |  1   |  0   |   Y    | Dec, 1991  |
Utica                  | [1]  |      |        |            |
315-735-2768           +------------------------------------------------------
		       |Good, courteous, and professional.  Accepts credit
		       |cards for the full amount and refunds the extra amount
		       |charged.  He does not charge extra for using a credit
		       |card.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAHARAJA Travels       |  0   |  2   |        | Nov. 91    |
New York               |      |      |        |            |
800-223-6862           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Sent us unconfirmed tickets even after 3 month
                       |prior notice. We had to spend 3000 dollars
                       |extra to get new tickets for part of the way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malik Travels          |  0   |  1   |        | March, 1990|
303 5th Ave, NY 10016  |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Canceled return reservations without notice. Refunded
                       |only $65 out of $160 after threatening them about
                       |publicizing on SCI.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Save On Travel         |  0   |  1   |        |            |
New York               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
800-???-5659           |Took $100 for reservation and then raised prices.
                       |When asked for refund, got only $75 back.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timetron Travels       |  1   |  0   |        | Dec, 1991  |
Mr. Abbas              |      |      |        |            |
New York               +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
212-633-6616           |Helpful, called back when necessary.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Tips            |  2   |  0   |        | Jan, 1992  |
New York, NY 10016     | [1]  |      |        |            |
212-983-4415           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
Contact: Mr. Farooq    |Reliable. Good deal considering that the tickets were
                       |booked on a short notice (within a week).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Tradition       |  2   |  0   |        | Feb, 1991  |
Ashok Shivalkar        |      |      |        |            |
New York, NY           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
212-972-0756           |Helpful, reasonable prices. Helpful in getting seats
                       |when travel dates were changed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel World           |  3   |  2   |        | Feb, 1992  |
International, Vivek   |      |      |        |            |
914-778-2772           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Reasonable price. Helpful in changing itinerary.
                       |Helpful especially with PanAM and BA. Charges a bit
                       |more. Never called back, kept assuring he was working
                       |on customer's case, no deal.
                       |Did not refund the difference between 'official' fare
                       |charged and the discounted fare for over 7 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Web Tourism and Travel |  1   |  0   |   Y    | Feb, 1988  |
310, 5th ave., New York+------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Courteous, good price. OK to change schedule
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW JERSEY:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollar Travels         |  0   |  1   |        | Dec, 1988  |
New Jersey             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
201-686-3868           |Raised price after deal was finalized. Did not inform
                       |about a canceled flight. Probably out of business now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Fly Travel        |  1   |  0   |   X    |            |
Edison, NJ             | [1]  |      |        |            |
Mr. Syed M. Shah       +------------------------------------------------------
908-985-5855           |Courteous, good rates, reliable
908-985-8478           |
908-985-0683 (fax)     |
-----------------------+------------------------------------------------------
Quick Travel           |  1   |  0   |        | Nov, 1989  |
Edison, NJ             |      |      |        |            |
908-634-5250           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |No problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Traditions      |  1   |  0   |   N    | Jun, 1992  |
Springfield            | [1]  |      |        |            |
201-564-8890           +------------------------------------------------------
		       |Very helpful, not efficient.  Doesn't return calls.
		       |Messed up ticketing once.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTH CAROLINA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everest Travels        |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Charlotte, NC          +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
704-532-1978           |Reliable, follows up on your request. Prompt.
                       |Helped during an emergency
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NORTH DAKOTA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brekke Travels, Kris   |  5   |  0   |   N    | Dec, 1991  |
Grand Forks, ND        |      |      |        |            |
800-437-5301           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Prompt, courteous, good deal. Returns your call.
                       |Suggested using Amex certificates for domestic part.
                       |Efficient, spends time discussing travel plans and
                       |making suggestions. May get phone busy due to this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OHIO:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prema Govindarajulu    |  10  |  0   |        | May, 1992  |
Cincinnatti            | [1]  |      |        |            |
513-777-1446 (evenings)+------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Trustworthy. Suggested a cheaper way by IA in India.
                       |Prompt service. Helped with one-way tickets to travel
                       |from India to the U.S. Calls back. If not sure about
                       |something, she tells you up front.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PENNSYLVANIA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jitu Parekh            |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Mechanicsburg, PA      +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
717-766-9565           |Reliable but expensive by about $25 than best deals.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trans International    |  1   |  1   |   Y    | May, 1991  |
Travels (Tina)         |      |      |        |            |
Philadelphia           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
215-222-5678           |Canceled reservations without informing. Deposit
                       |not refunded. Last minute unpleasant surprizes.
                       |No problems in the latest experience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Wide Travel      |  4   |  0   |   N    | Dec, 1991  |
Prachi Seth            |      |      |        |            |
Pittsburgh             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
412-621-0330           |Good price. Promptly corrected faulty tickets. Prompt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A to Z Travels         |  1   |  0   |        | May, 1989  |
Houston                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Efficient. Sent ticket even before balance payment was
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Travels and   |  1   |  0   |   X    | Dec, 1990  |
Tours, Ashu            |      |      |        |            |
Houston                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
713-781-7077           |Helpful, responsive to last minute changes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C & C Travel           |  0   |  1   |        | Dec, 1989  |
Chaudry Fayyaz         |      |      |        |            |
Dallas, TX             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Disorganized. Did not have confirmation for travel to
                       |Pakistan until a few hours before departure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capricorn Travels      |  4   |  1   |   Y    | Feb, 1991  |
Nancy Vaz              |      |      |        |            |
Houston                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
713-270-5519           |Reliable and efficient. Told that seat was confirmed,
                       |but later denied saying so. Raised the price by $100.
                       |Prompt confirmation delivery of tickets with a short
                       |notice (1 week). Payment mailed after tickets received.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capricorn Travels      |  2   |  0   |        |            |
Naju                   |      |      |        |            |
Richardson             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
214-234-0299           |Reliable, polite. Did raise price at the last moment
                       |but explanation was plausible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four Way Travels       |  2   |  0   |        | June, 1991 |
Hamid, Pankaj          |      |      |        |            |
Houston, TX            +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
713-789-4919           |5 days of mailing cheque.on PanAm. Mailed tickets within
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Travel          |  1   |  0   |        | Dec, 1990  |
Abid Sheikh            |      |      |        |            |
Fort Worth, TX         +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Professional and efficient. Quick with a $30 adjustment
                       |refund. Suggested cheaper routes for travel to Pakistan-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hari Travels           |  0   |  1   |   N    | May, 1989  |
Houston                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Tried to sell a waitlisted ticket. Raised prices.
                       |Refund check bounced.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metro Travels          |  0   |  3   |        | Oct, 1990  |
Arlington, TX          |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Sold tickets and lied about confirmation, although
                       |the bokking was on a waiting list. Had to buy ticket
                       |at a high cost from another agent at the last moment.
                       |Very arrogant. Asking for credit slip after credit card
                       |payment helped get refund through AmEx.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raj/Taj Travels        |  0   |  1   |        |            |
Joseph Rajan           |      |      |        |            |
Irving, TX             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
214-659-9035           |Refund cheque of $300, difference between credit card
                       |payment and discounted fare, has bounced twice. Does
                       |not reply calls or letters.
                       |Has now changed to Taj Travels.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supersonic Travels     |  1   |  0   |        | June, 1989 |
College Station, TX    |      |      |        |            |
Mr. Adil, Mrs. Hassan  +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
409-846-4477           |Courteous. Reasonable rates. Sent pre-paid tickets to
                       |India. Took 3 months to get refund for unused ticket.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supersonic Travels     |  1   |  0   |        | July, 1990 |
Bissonet St, Houston   |      |      |        |            |
Mr. Adil, Mrs. Hassan  +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
713-777-0333           |Courteous. Reasonable rates. Ticket purchased with a
                       |4 days notice.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taj Travels            |  0   |  1   |        |            |
Joseph Rajan           |      |      |        |            |
Irving, TX             +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
214-659-9035           |Refund cheque of $300, difference between credit card
                       |payment and discounted fare, has bounced twice. Does
                       |not reply calls or letters.
                       |Used to be Raj Travels previously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade Winds            |  0   |  1   |        |            |
Houston                |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Agent of Gulf Air. Nice until you buy ticket, but
                       |rude when requesting changes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel King            |  0   |  1   |        |            |
Dallas                 |      |      |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Cheap fare but sloppy service. Put callers on hold for
                       |a long time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TENNESSE:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Concepts        |  10  |  1   |   Y    | Summer, 92 |
Knoxville, TN          | [2]  |      |        |            |
800-366-4124           +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
615-584-3909           |Reliable. Prompt, accurate, knowledgeable, helpful.
Contact: Yatish        |Mailed tickets within two hours of talking. Mailed
                       |tickets by certified mail.
                       |Put OKs on tickets without really having reservations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Wave Travel        |  2   |  0   |   N    | May, 1992  |
4719 University Way NE | [1]  |      |        |            |
Seattle                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
206-527-3579           |Helpful. Takes one week to send ticket after he gets
Contact: Rizwan        |payment, and tells this to you up front. Let him know
		       |you saw his name here.  He wants to know this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Onkar International    |  1   |  0   |   Y    | Dec, 1990  |
Travel Service         |      |      |        |            |
Seattle                +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
206-292-9366           |Good fare including Indian domestic flights.
                       |No major problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WISCONSIN:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geo Travel             |  1   |  0   |        |            |
Milwaukee              |      |      |        |            |
414-358-2200           +------------------------------------------------------
414-358-2277 (fax)     |Helpful, prompt.  Sometimes he won't call you back
Contact: Jawaad        |for a long time.  That doesn't mean he's not working
                       |for your ticket.  Likes to keep things straight and
                       |simple.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partners in Travel     |  5   |  0   |   X    |  May, 1992 |
Milwaukee              | [5]  |      |        |            |
414-???-????           +------------------------------------------------------
Contact: Mrs. Shah     |Somehow she gets fabulous deals.  That is the only
		       |advantage of dealing with her.  She is very slow.  She
		       |WILL NOT CALL YOU.  Very careless.  In one case she 
		       |left the I-20 in chicago (German Consulate) and 
		       |got it back to the traveler on the day of departure at
		       |the airport.  If you can deal with such uncertainty
		       |go ahead and deal with her.  She does come through for
		       |you at the end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith Travel           |  1   |  0   |   N    |  May, 1992 |
Milwaukee              | [1]  |      |        |            |
414-???-????           +------------------------------------------------------
Contact: Mr. Homi      |Nice guy.  Have to remind him you are still looking
		       |for a ticket.  Must call him to find out if he has
		       |made any progress or not.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STATES UNKNOWN:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moonlight Travels      |  0   |  1   |        |            |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Raised price by $200 at the last moment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suma Travels           |  1   |  0   |   R    | Dec, 1988  |
                       +------+------+--------+------------+------------------
                       |Decent rates. Not helpful for schedule changes.
                       |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 
*******************************************************************************
* Sanjay Jain                                         sjain@csd4.csd.uwm.edu  *
* University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee                                         *
*******************************************************************************



Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian