做个不纠结的驴友

Q168

This bodes poorly for the family-run agency in your office plaza. That said, don't expect traditional bricks-and-mortar travel agencies to disappear entirely. In the U.S., as online travel agents, booking engines and meta-searches took off, traditional agents began tailoring their services to specific markets. Need someone to arrange a bespoke tour of ceramic workshops Japan? Try Wabi-Sabi. Looking into that once-in-a-lifetime safari in Botswana? Ring up Ker & Downey.

这对于办公楼里家族式经营的旅行社来说不是好兆头。即便如此，实体旅行社应该也不会销声匿迹。在美国，在网络旅行中介、预定网站和整合式搜索引擎迅猛发展的同时，传统旅行社也开始向特定市场提供定制服务。想有人帮你安排参观日本的陶瓷工作室吗？试试Wabi-Sabi吧。想在博茨瓦纳来一次毕生难忘的观兽旅行吗？打电话给Ker & Downey吧。

Q168

Indeed, the line between those who use traditional agents versus those who do it themselves are more blurred than they appear. Ms. Fung regularly uses websites as research tools and books accommodations online. Mr. Quinby handles all his own business travel. But he does use an agent for an annual ski trip, which is a birthday gift to his mother. 'We get a specialist to do it,' he readily admits.

事实上，找传统旅行中介的人和自助游的人之间并没有什么明显的界线。Fung经常使用网站作为搜索工具并在线预定住宿。昆比一手操办自己的商务出行。但是他也通过中介来安排每年的滑雪之旅，这是给母亲的生日礼物。他大方地承认道：“我们找一位专业人士来处理这件事。”

Q168

Here are some key tips to finding a standout agent:

以下是寻找优秀旅行中介的一些重要提示：

Service Matters: You're more likely to find a decent agent in cities and countries with strong service cultures,Thailand and Hong Kong, for instance. But China? If you read Chinese, better stick to meta-search engines such as Ctrip or Qunar.

服务至上：在诸如泰国和香港这类拥有强烈的服务意识的城市和国家，你更容易找到优秀的中介。那么中国大陆呢？如果你能看懂中文，最好还是依靠携程和去哪儿(Qunar)这类搜索网站。

Q168

To the Quick: How responsive is the agent to e-mails? Can she handle everything via e-mail? Saving time, and thus, staying off the phone, is part of the appeal of an agent.

反应迅速：中介对邮件有多认真负责？她能不能通过邮件解决所有事情？节约时间以及不打电话是对优秀中介的要求之一。

After-Hour Care: Is the agent available on the weekends, and is there a mobile number you can call outside of office hours? This is especially important when you're traveling to a different time zone and need to change your flight schedule.

假日无休：中介周末是否提供服务、有没有手机号码可以在工作时间之外拨打？这一点当你在不同时区旅行而需要改签航班时尤为重要。

Q168

Exploring Options: Does the agent offer you a couple of alternatives or only the most expensive one? This is where doing your own research pays off, investigate the carriers that fly a route and get an idea of what the fares are before you turn to an agent.

选择多样：中介是给你几个可选方案还是只有最贵的那个？这就是提前做功课获得回报的时候了，研究一下航空公司的航线，在找中介之前对价格有个概念。

Just the Ticket: Does the agent explain clearly what the restrictions and conditions are on a ticket? If you're trying to play the mileage game, the fine print is essential.

熟知机票：中介是否能清楚地解释机票的使用条件和特殊限制？如果你想更好地累积里程的话，搞懂那些复杂的条款很有必要。