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mrjohndub
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 198
Location: Saitama, Japan
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 Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject: Highly recommendable travel agencies? |
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I'm already planning for a trip overseas departing from Japan for Golden Week and am not finding much advertising in English language media at the moment. I suppose it's a little early for all of the newspaper, magazine and internet ads that I grew accustomed to seeing prior to the Dec/Jan holidays offering airfare deals.
Has anyone dealt with a particularly recommendable agency before, perhaps on a repeat basis? I've not entirely new here, but just have never arranged for airfare out of Japan. Friends and familiy have tended to visit me here instead. I'm looking for ease in my dealings, generally good pricing and responsive customer service.
I'd be interested to know whom to check out, should you have a solid tip. Thanks for giving it a little thought. I suppose I was just counting on seeing it in everyday editions, but my search has so far been fruitless. |
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Birdog3344
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 126
Location: Osaka, Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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H.I.S. is known for good prices on international flights. I've dealt with them before and had no complaints.
Also, if you're under 25 you can register with STA (for a fee) and get discounted fares. Definately worth it. |
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tokyo376
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 39
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:09 am Post subject: travel agencies |
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I recommend No. 1 Travel. I've dealt with them 4 or 5 times and the service has been very good. Lots of English speaking staff, and an English website.
Across Travelers Bureau is popular, but the staff made a few mistakes on my plane tickets, so I deal with No.1 Travel now.
Both have ads in Metropolis magazine. |
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freddie's friend daniel
Joined: 17 Apr 2005
Posts: 84
Location: Osaka-fu
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't recommend No 1 Travel because they stuffed up on my last ticket and their reaction to sorting out the problem was unprofessional to say the least. I'm using GS Travel in Osaka this time and so far, so good. The "guarantee" the lowest rates in Kansai so what I did was find the lowest fare on Yahoo.co.jp and then gave GS a call to see if they could come up with something better. They did. |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Beware racist travel insurance policies!
I'm not sure which travel agency we went through -- (I THINK it was STA but I will check tonight and edit my post if neccessary) but we had a really negative experience with the travel insurance provider that this travel agency dealt with.
Essentially, to make a long story short, foreigners (gaikokujin) of ANY kind, whether they've lived in Japan for 10 months or 10 years, may subcribe to their policies, BUT must pay a higher premium than Japanese nationals, AND get LOWER coverage amounts.
Needless to say, since this was a travel agency, I told them exactly where they could go with their policy and how to get there... I then got my coverage from an overseas provider for about 1/4 of the price.
(still bitter about that)
Also, on a side note, be careful of flight tickets that you don't get but must pick up AT the airport. In my opinion it's a crappy system because that's one more line you have to wait in, and you have to get to the airport that much earlier. |
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David W
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 457
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| JimDunlop2 wrote: |
Also, on a side note, be careful of flight tickets that you don't get but must pick up AT the airport. In my opinion it's a crappy system because that's one more line you have to wait in, and you have to get to the airport that much earlier. |
I agree it's a pita but I've yet to come across one travel agency that won't send the ticket to you if you ask them too. |
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David W
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 457
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:06 am Post subject: Re: Highly recommendable travel agencies? |
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| mrjohndub wrote: |
I'm already planning for a trip overseas departing from Japan for Golden Week and am not finding much advertising in English language media at the moment. I suppose it's a little early for all of the newspaper, magazine and internet ads that I grew accustomed to seeing prior to the Dec/Jan holidays offering airfare deals.
Has anyone dealt with a particularly recommendable agency before, perhaps on a repeat basis? I've not entirely new here, but just have never arranged for airfare out of Japan. Friends and familiy have tended to visit me here instead. I'm looking for ease in my dealings, generally good pricing and responsive customer service.
I'd be interested to know whom to check out, should you have a solid tip. Thanks for giving it a little thought. I suppose I was just counting on seeing it in everyday editions, but my search has so far been fruitless. |
Try dealing with the airline direct. It's sometimes possible to get a good deal. I got a great price on Air France to London last year doing that. The AB Road web-site is another good places for cheap tickets but it's in Japanese. |
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lalalateda
Joined: 05 Nov 2005
Posts: 72
Location: JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Also, if you're under 25 you can register with STA (for a fee) and get discounted fares. Definately worth it. |
Sorry, what is the 'STA' and how do you register with them? |
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Birdog3344
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 126
Location: Osaka, Japan
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