Agent NewsletterAgent Newsletter #62#62

The arrival of fall usually coincides with an increased number of inquiries about travel. Take the time to learn the requirements for each destination, the safety protocols in place and the entry requirements to get back into Canada. It is important to discuss with your clients any concerns they might have to travel and match them with a destination and resort/cruise that will allow them to travel with a sense of confidence. Travelers need Travel Agents more than ever as they try to navigate all the restrictions and entry requirements. We have provided many resources for all agents to help assist in finding out this information. Ensure you inform your clients of all of these restrictions up front, as it demonstrates your knowledge in assisting them in their travels.

PCR Test in Destination

Where clients can get tested is always a valid question and travel agents should be able to provide this answer to clients prior to traveling. I would always recommend that your clients call and book their test especially if traveling to the US. If traveling to Caribbean destinations or Europe, your clients will need to book their appointments once they arrive. A lot of Caribbean Hotels do onsite testing with contracted rates. We have put testing information on the Fareconnect Resource Site to assist you in finding the information. Look under Resources/Forms/Covid-19 Handouts or follow this link Resources (fareconnectagent.com)

We have also put a link to a resource tool sponsored by Travel West. This tool will give you the latest information on entry requirements and has a Covid Testing Tool. The link is located on the landing page of the Fareconnect Resource Site or at Travel West. As it can be a bit confusing, we have created a short 2 min video to explain how to search for testing locations: https://youtu.be/Rpd_aRAxwG8

Fareconnect’s Top Seller

Fareconnect’s Top Mover n’ Shaker

September 2021 September 2021

Robin Gates Robert McDowell

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The ability to travel again is just one of the many luxury’s clients are looking forward to. Clients are wanting to talk travel and enjoy enquiring about future buck list trips. Remember that one of the best parts about travel is the planning and anticipation of travelling.

The biggest hurdles agents are having is making sure they guide clients in the right direction on entry requirements during their travels. At Head Office, we have the advantage of meeting clients face to face in explaining these requirements. However, we have found that clients are still getting confused as it can sometimes be both challenging and overwhelming to understand.

We decided to utilize ClientLinq’s itinerary builder to ease the understanding of the requirements to clients. In using the itinerary builder, we can build a timeline for clients ensuring they meet the requirements and timelines.

Below is a sample of the itinerary we have built for a client to share with you. This program allows you to create a timeline with all the requirements. You also have the option of sending them a PDF or link. The benefit of the link is that, if you do any last-minute changes, you don’t need to resend out any links, the next time your client checks the itinerary, it will be updated.

Remember, you are the travel expert! Using this tool allows you to show why to use a Travel Advisor.

https://cloud.travcomone.com/traveldocs//Itinerary.aspx?type=28B2FAF8274F&guid=86034a31-601c-4c52-98d9-45af75e11ab0

MARKETING AND SALES with Cindy

This month we welcome new agents Walmer Mangilit and Johanne West from Manitoba, and Michelle Watt from Alberta.

Welcome to the family!

SAY HELLO TO OUR NEW AGENTS!

Welcome to a new month! It is now officially fall, and we are (hopefully) ready to embrace a new season!

Nearly 2 months ago, we activated a Sirev Mergeback feature, that allows Sirev bookings to import into ClientLinq, automatically creating an invoice.

Some things to know:1. If you are in ClientLinq, it is important that once you complete the booking, you open

ClientLinq and search the booking number in TRIPS. This should pull up the invoice that was automatically created for you. Keep in mind, this import will pull through the basic necessary information so if there are any edits you need to make, please do so accordingly. We are working closely with both systems to have this process working at it’s best, but it will take some trial and error. (Head Office will NOT be sending you these invoices anymore, it is your responsibility to retrieve this information).

2. Some specific pieces of information to check for would include the product type, itinerary information, and final payment date

3. If you are not yet in ClientLinq, head office will retrieve the invoice and send to you, to then send to your client. If you require any edits, please notify and we will adjust and send back.

In addition, as you may have noticed, there have been some updates in ClientLinq:

With ClientLinq’s new Credit Card Authorization form, you can securely obtain credit card number and authorization for use from your clients. Email or copy and paste the form’s URL from an existing Trip to your customer where they can enter their credit card information securely from either their mobile device or PC. To do this, you would click on the arrow down beside the PRINT button of an existing trip in ClientLinq and click on ‘Credit Card Authorization’ which will pull up your options for how to proceed.

If you’re currently using Gmail or Office 365 for your main calendar, you can now sync your calendar events with your primary calendar in ClientLinq and vice-a-versa. For example, add a deposit reminder in ClientLinq and immediately, the event will also be included in your Gmail or Office 365 calendar. Create an event in your main calendar, and then immediately this event will also be added in your ClientLinq calendar. With this new feature, you’ll have your up-to-date calendar in both ClientLinq and your main Gmail or Office 365 one. Email head office for instructions on how to complete the sync!

Feel free to reach out to head office if you have any further questions! Have a great month!

BACK OFFICE TALK by Ann and Sarah

Autumn is such an amazing season of change. The forest canopy is displaying its full beauty. We are starting to see the geese practicing their formation and readying themselves for their winter migration to their summer homes. Meanwhile, listening to all the little critters hastily packing their storages and preparing for the long winter ahead, hopefully not in anybody’s attic. Let us not forget our trusty farmers beginning the harvest so we all can enjoy a bounty on our tables.

We should all take a moment and celebrate our successes. Take a minute, look at yourself and tell yourself how awesome you are and stay fabulous. Then identify the opportunities in your business. There is no easy way to overcome an opportunity, if there was, we would never need to change anything.

How can we do this? First, identify two or three things you wish to improve. This could be product knowledge like insurance, airline policies, or even learning about destinations. Practice using new systems, like ClientLinq, OneConnect, or even exploring our suppliers’ resource centres (Bedsonline, WestJet Agents, etc.).

Where can you go to do this? Attend the weekly webinars. These are important, not only is it giving you a platform to engage and develop a relationship with our BDMs, but it is also time where you can learn about the current policies and procedures. You can review these anytime by visiting the Fareconnect Resource Site.

Utilize our supplier tools. As mentioned, you should be exploring our suppliers’ resource centres. There are learning opportunities, recorded webinars on various products, and marketing and promotional materials made for you to use to grow your business.

Practice what you know and improve your use of the systems. Login to Intair and search for a flight, look at the rules, see how you can upgrade a fare to an improved service. Look up a hotel in Bedsonline and on the confirmation page see how easy it is to add a transfer or an excursion.

“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” – Kim Collins

Fareconnect Graduates : Nadine Werbinski, Cindy Pasos, Sheila Fantinin

TRAINING with Matt

Hello fellow travel colleagues!! My name is Laura, I am a mother, self employed baker, girl guide leader and avid traveler. Of course, with the world situation I recently took up my new hobby of hiking. If I could not get on a plane this was the best way to reach new heights! I am a very new agent with Fareconnect and cannot wait to see the world of travel unfold before me in ways that I never knew. I love the constant education and learning that is involved to make me not only a better agent but a more advanced traveller. Although relaxing at a beach sounds great you will likely never see me there twice. I am a go go adventure girl. I want to see it all and do it all. Some of my favourite travels were my self-drive family trip to New Zealand or exploring Europe on a charter Bus. I have a small (depending who you talk to) obsession with Disney. It is our yearly escape. I am anticipating for the world to open again, it is coming slowly, as I have so many places I wish to see. Next stop Greece! -After Disney of course. I cannot wait to see what the future with Fareconnect holds! Happy travels!

FEATURED AGENT OF THE MONTH

Laura Leys