Letters: Always best to use a travel agent

Always best to use a travel agent

Regarding On the Spot [“Waves of Doubt,” Dec. 5] by Catharine Hamm: The simple answer for the traveler who had booking problems with her Carnival cruise should have been to use a travel agent. As an agent who specializes in cruise travel, I can assure you that the traveler would never have had the problem she encountered if she’d used an agency. We are the travelers’ advocates. For those who prefer to search the Internet for bargains, or who think that going direct to the vendor will get them a better deal, do your research, then call us. By booking through us or agencies like ours, you will almost always get a better deal with less hassle, no extra cost and a travel professional to assist them should problems arise.

Shel Klee, American Travel Associates

Los Angeles

Frequent-flier frustration

I enjoyed Charles Lockwood’s article about frequent-flier miles [“Earning and Using Miles,” Dec. 5]. My wife and I recently used 51,000 Delta miles for a two-night stay in Santa Barbara. Because the cost of the room in miles was 93,000 for two nights, the difference was charged to our credit card by Delta.

When we checked in at the hotel, we were advised that the additional charge over and above the miles was $210. The hotel advised that the room charge, paying cash or credit without miles, would be $140 a night, for a total of $280.

So in other words, our 51,000 miles were worth only $70. The clerk said we could cancel the reservation and rebook paying cash but that we would get a refund of only the $210 and lose the 51,000 miles. Checking with the airline later confirmed this. So our frequent-flier miles were worth less than 2 cents each. Hardly worth the trouble, I’d say.

Peter Gibson, Cypress

The ultimate insult to Hawaii

Beverly Beyette has no clue what she is writing about and has absolutely no right to speak of Hawaiians and/or Hawaii and/or Hawaiiana [“You Might Want to Book ‘em,” Dec. 5]. It is not Manhattan, despite the invasions of Donald Trump and Ian Schrager, neither of whom is held in esteem or regard by the local community.

James G. Covella, Honolulu

Marriott goes Cosmopolitan

Jay Jones’ article on the new Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas failed to mention one important fact [“New Pair Antes Up on Strip,” Dec. 5]. This property is part of the Autograph Collection of hotels that are independently owned but marketed by Marriott so that Rewards Club members can use their points to stay at the hotel. This made big news in Las Vegas a few months ago, because it will give Marriott an entry into the Strip. I’m surprised Jones failed to mention this fact.

S. Korob, Northridge