Location: Reigate & Redhill
Wanted: A couple are seeking a romantic break in New York City for an anniversary in September. They want cheap flights and a hotel in the city.
Budget: £2,400-£2,800
Reigate Travel
67 Bell Street, Reigate
80%
There were no other customers in the store, so I was served straight away. I was asked about my budget, dates and duration, as well as attractions I’d like to see. The agent had been to New York and talked me through some of the sights and gave some helpful advice on getting around. I was shown various options on the agents screen as we were talking and details of Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Heathrow on September 14 were written on a compliments slip alongside details of the hotel. The agent suggested six nights room-only at the Roosevelt Hotel, which brought the cost of the trip to £2,544. The agent was very helpful.
Tui
6 Warwick Quadrant, Redhill
73%
The shop felt deserted, dusty and unmanaged – but I was greeted immediately. I was given two options with Tui, both for six nights and room-only: the Hotel Edison with British Airways flights on September 14 for £2,862 and the Paramount Hotel with the same flights for £2,882. The agent wasn’t very talkative or enthusiastic and had limited knowledge of New York. They suggested visiting the Empire State Building.
Thomas Cook
2A High Street, Redhill
70%
I was served immediately and following a short conversation I was offered two options with Super Break: six nights’ room-only at the Holiday Inn, Newark, with flights from Gatwick with Norwegian, on September 14 for £3,742; and six nights at Hotel Pennsylvania, room-only, with the same flights for £4,894. I was asked the standard questions and no upgrades or additions were suggested. The agent lacked enthusiasm.
Verdict
Reigate Travel took the time to find out Mystery Shopper’s holiday needs before putting together a thoughtful quote.
Winning agent
Sandie Connelly, senior travel consultant
“The key to selling New York is personal experience. I was there in December with my husband and kids, so it’s fresh in my mind. We usually do two or three quotes, but when you have a detailed discussion you may only need one”
Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a car for 10 days.
The winning agent must be at least 25, for insurance reasons. Winners under 25 will win a week’s all-inclusive holiday at an Elite Islands Resorts property. The prize is non-transferable and the car must be driven only by the winning agent. The winner must not have any serious driving convictions. Elite Island Resorts will endeavour to supply the car to the agency but reserves the right to request the winning agent to collect and return the car from Essex or a central location