Our Services
| Flights Consolidation Hotels Car Hire Rail Travel |
Eurostar Eurotunnel Ferries & Hover Craft Holidays Insurance |
Conferences Theatres, Concerts etc Air Taxis View Your Trip |
Flights
As a member of IATA we represent the world's airlines. Being an independent agency we offer a comprehensive and unbiased service to our clients. Unlike the multiple chains we are not influenced by any preferred supplier agreements and our single minded objective is to match our clients' needs with the most efficient and cost effective air travel option available. We do not see a future in recommending travel plans, which benefit the agency rather than the client!
Our computer systems provide us with direct access to carriers' own mainframes and we have invested in systems which are impartial in their display scenarios to be sure that client interests are primary.
We offer immediate reservations, ticketing, pricing and cost analysis, seating and meal preferences and special request handling both on the ground and in the air. This is a global service and tickets may be made available almost instantly anywhere in the world and for travel between any points or series of destinations.
Consolidation
Most airlines sell a proportion of their capacity to wholesalers (consolidators) for distribution in the UK market. These tickets are designed to match the carriers' expectations for demand and are introduced to stimulate business on flights, which are anticipated to be less than full. These tickets can generally be obtained at much reduced fares but tend to be inflexible and have financial penalties attached to any changes once tickets have actually been issued. They do, however, offer significant savings - as much as 60% off published tariffs - to those travellers able to commit to fixed itineraries and, in most cases, also able to book well in advance.
We will suggest consolidation alternatives where appropriate.
Hotels
Selecting the right hotel is important for the busy business traveller. It must be in the right area, it must meet cost expectations and it must offer the right facilities, comfort and hospitality. Through a 'high tech' facility called Room Master, we have direct links to some 70,000 properties around the world offering last room availability and immediate reservation services. We ourselves enjoy corporate rate privileges at most of these properties, which we are happy to extend to our clients. However, if an organisation is a regular user of a particular property or chain, we are pleased to initiate and negotiate with the hotel(s) on behalf of our clients with a view to securing special and exclusive cost saving arrangements specifically for them.
Car Hire
We represent all major car hire organisations and, once again, through direct computer links, we can obtain instant pricing, availability and reservations including requests for specialist vehicles and special options.
Furthermore, established customers are offered 'full value' vouchers for their hire so that all costs are charged to us and can be settled on their return to the UK. This not only helps with financial matters such as cashflow and expense monitoring, but more importantly for the traveller it also avoids the need to place deposits and speeds up the vehicle collection and drop off process.
Our positive commercial relationship with many car hire firms enables us to extend attractive and economically advantageous rates to our clients.
For those clients requiring frequent hire, we are pleased to introduce car hire company representatives who may be able to make special corporate arrangements on their behalf.
Rail Travel
Travel by train continues to offer the business traveller one of the most necessary and popular modes of transport. However, despite being a fundamental service, the product itself is complex and with services supplied by some 18 different operating companies it is even more so. The multitude of services and tariff options makes it essential that the travel agent is 'up to the mark' to ensure that clients receive correct information and best prices available. Our consultants are fully trained and hold Rail Proficiency Certificates. We again have computer links to the rail companies and are able to issue all the necessary documentation.
Eurostar
Eurostar's frequent high speed trains to European capitals has proved to be an efficient, comfortable and speedy method of travel which also offers excellent onward travel opportunities to other European destinations with good connections from the Eurostar hubs of Paris, Lille and Brussels.
This service is proving to be a highly credible alternative to air travel, especially for those moving between city centres and there is a tariff structure in place to suit both the business and leisure traveller.
As Eurostar agents we are pleased to process your needs for rail travel including seat and sleeper reservations. Having your tickets in advance does avoid having to queue and offers you the chance to reserve seats in advance on all trunk route services rather than taking 'pot luck' at a station.
Eurotunnel
This excellent alternative to channel crossing offers regular services between Folkestone and Calais. Reservations and tickets are only a call away to our office where we are directly connected to this service.
Ferries & Hover Craft
For those who prefer sea crossings or who are travelling between other points, we represent all ferry companies and are able to process instant reservations and ticketing. There is more to ferry services than simple journeys from the UK to France with an extensive network in the Scottish Isles, Scandinavia and throughout the Mediterranean. We will be pleased to discuss and advise on these travel opportunities.
Holidays
We are, of course, members of ABTA and therefore represent all accredited UK holiday firms and tour operators. We are pleased to discuss and book these on your behalf and as a particular benefit to employees and dependants of established client companies, we offer valuable concessions on their holiday purchases.
Insurance
We are pleased to offer a range of insurance options to cover your personal travel needs. Our consultants will offer you advice concerning travel insurance. This will include company cover, annual cover for both business and holiday trips as well as single trip cover if required. The insurance market is competitive and whilst there is a range of products which would appear to offer excellent prices, the choice of insurer should not necessarily be based on price but rather on their record of response times, reliability, quality of cover and their claims settlement record. The wrong insurer at the right price can be an expensive and poor combination.
Conferences
Our qualified staff are pleased to offer advice and make arrangements for any meetings or conferences you may have planned for the UK or overseas. Normally, conferences will attract beneficial group rates and we are able to oversee those facilities and essential details ranging from simultaneous translation to special meals and catering selection. We believe that working together with our clients from the crucial planning stage to make certain that we cover all angles and that the outcome is a successful project which falls within budget predictions.
Special Events, Theatres & Concerts
Think of us when entertaining important clients, rewarding staff or just when you fancy a night out. Our strong association with some of the largest booking agencies permits us to obtain tickets for shows and events, which are not easily acquired through traditional sources. Why waste time and money fruitlessly telephoning around when we can do it all for you?
Air Taxis
We are pleased to advise and arrange for air taxis, helicopter, executive jet or charter services in case of emergency or for that very special occasion you might be planning.
View Your Trip
For some time now, clients of The Travellers’ Friend have been able to access their itineraries and obtain comprehensive information through the web, wherever in the world they might be. By becoming a client of The Travellers’ Friend you will benefit from this valuable feature.
If you have made a reservation through us you can select the link below to view your up to date travel information. All you will need to enter is your reservation number* and the surname of the traveller.
The information displayed can be printed or forwarded as an email.
* we provide this when you book and it also appears as the first six characters in the ‘PNR Code’ box on the tickets. (Call us if you don’t have this to hand).
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