4.1 Planning for a trip
Source: eslfast.com
Visiting a travel agent
| A: I need help planning my vacation. | OR: – Could you help me with vacation plans? – I was wondering if you would be able to help me with vacation plans. |
| B: Sure, where would you like to go? | OR: – Have you chosen your destination? – Do you know where you will be traveling? |
| A: I haven’t decided where to go yet. | OR: – I am open to suggestions at this point. |
| B: Do you enjoy warm or cold climates? | OR: – Do you enjoy warm weather, or are you looking forward to a cooler vacation? – Are you wanting to travel to a tropical climate, or would you like to go somewhere with a cooler climate? |
| A: I am thinking that I might enjoy a tropical climate. | OR: – I would like to travel to a cooler destination. – A nice temperate climate would be best for me. |
| B: I have some brochures here that you might like to look at. | OR: – Why don’t you take a look at these brochures that might help you make up your mind? – I can give you some brochures that could give you some ideas. |
| A: These look great! | OR: – I will look at them right now. – This place looks nice. |
| B: Do you know how much you want to spend on this vacation? | OR: – Have you thought about what you would like to spend on this vacation? – How much money is in your budget for this trip? |
| A: I have about a thousand dollars to spend on this trip. | OR: – I think that I can spend about two hundred dollars a day. – I just got a bonus and can spend about three thousand dollars total. |
| B: Well, take these brochures, and get back to me when you want to make your reservations. | OR: – I’ll be happy to help you make a reservation whenever you decide upon a destination. – Take your time choosing a destination and, when you’ve narrowed it down, I’ll be happy to help you make a reservation. |
Making a plane reservation
| A: Could you help me make a plane reservation? | OR: – I am planning a trip and need help making my airline reservation. – I need to make a plane reservation. |
| B: I would be happy to help you. Where do you plan on going? | OR: – That is what I am here for. What is your destination? – Sure. Where are you traveling to on your trip? |
| A: I am going to go to Hawaii. | OR: – I will be vacationing in Oregon. – I will be traveling to Aspen, Colorado. |
| B: For that destination, you may leave from Los Angeles or Burbank Airport. Which would you prefer? | OR: – Would you prefer to leave from Los Angeles or Burbank Airport? – You have an option of departing from Los Angeles or Burbank Airport. What is your preference? |
| A: I think that I would rather leave from Los Angeles Airport. | OR: – I live closer to Los Angeles Airport, so that would be the best choice. |
| B: Would you prefer a morning or afternoon departure? | OR: – You can leave in the morning of afternoon from that airport. Do you have a preference? – Does it matter to you if you leave in the morning or afternoon? |
| A: I need to leave in the morning. | OR: – I can leave at either time. – I can only take a flight that leaves in the afternoon. |
| B: Fine. On your return flight, do you have a preference as to morning or afternoon? | OR: – I can book that for you right now. When you return, would you prefer morning or afternoon? – I’ll put you on a morning flight. Is a morning or afternoon return flight preferable for you? |
| A: I would prefer to return in the afternoon. | OR: – Either morning or afternoon would work for me. – I think that I would like a morning return flight better. |
| B: I have booked you on your flight at a great rate. Here are your tickets. | OR: – I was able to book your flight, and I will print your tickets right now. Have a great trip! |
Buying a plane ticket
| A: I would like to book a flight. | OR: – I want to buy a plane ticket. – I need to make a plane reservation. |
| B: I can help you with that. Where are you traveling to? | OR: – We can book your trip right now. What city are you flying to? |
| A: I am traveling to Singapore. | OR: – My final destination is Sydney, Australia. – I need to fly to New York City. |
| B: What date will you be traveling? | OR: – What date would you like me to book this plane ticket for? – What is your travel date? |
| A: I want to fly on June 14th. | OR: – I am making a reservation for December 12th. – I need a flight on July 4th. |
| B: Do you want to fly out of Los Angeles International or Burbank Airport? | OR: – Would you prefer to leave from Los Angeles International or Burbank Airport? – You can fly out of Los Angeles International or Burbank Airport. Which do you prefer? |
| A: I would like to fly out of Los Angeles International Airport. | OR: – I will fly out of whatever airport has the cheapest price. – I want to fly out of Burbank Airport. |
| B: Would you prefer a morning or an afternoon flight? | OR: – Would you rather fly in the morning or later in the day? – If you have a choice, what time of day would you prefer to fly? |
| A: I would rather fly in the morning. | OR: – I would like to be booked on the least expensive flight. – I need an afternoon flight. |
| B: Well, I have you booked on a flight that will fit your schedule. The tickets will arrive by mail in a few days. | OR: – I have you booked on a flight in the afternoon. Your tickets will arrive in the mail within 3 days. – I was able to find an inexpensive flight for you. We are sending you your tickets in the mail. |
Making a hotel reservation
| A: I would like to make a hotel reservation. | OR: – I need to book a room at your hotel. – I would like to book a reservation at your hotel. |
| B: What day will you be arriving? | OR: – What date would you like to make that reservation for? – On what day will you be beginning your stay? |
| A: I will be arriving on May 14th. | OR: – Our stay will be beginning on May 14th. – I need the reservation for May 14th. |
| B: How long will you be staying? | OR: – How many days do you need the reservation for? – Can you tell me how many days you need the room for? |
| A: I need the room for 3 nights. | OR: – Please book the room for 3 nights. – I will be staying for 3 nights. |
| B: How many people will be staying in the room? | OR: – Is that a single room, or will there be more guests? – Would you like a single or double room? |
| A: I will be staying in the room alone. | OR: – I need a room for 3 people. – I need a double room. |
| B: Would you like a smoking or nonsmoking room? | OR: – We have smoking and nonsmoking rooms. Which do you prefer? – Do you need a nonsmoking room? |
| A: We need a nonsmoking room. | OR: – We must have a nonsmoking room. – We require a smoking room. |
| B: We have booked a room for you. Please be sure to arrive before 4:00 on your check-in date. | OR: – Your room is booked. You must arrive before 4:00 the day you are to check in. – We have reserved your room. To secure the room, you must pre-pay with a credit card. |
Luggage limits
| A: I don’t know how much luggage I can take on the plane with me. | OR: – I am getting packed for my vacation and don’t know what the luggage restrictions are. – I heard that the airlines are changing the luggage restrictions, and I need to find out what they are. |
| B: You need to look up each individual airline online to get their restrictions. | OR: – There are online sites that list the general restrictions of the airlines. – You could call the airline that you will be flying, and they can tell you what you can bring. |
| A: I just wonder what the general rules are. | OR: – I just need to know what most of the airlines have decided to do. – Because I fly a lot, I need to pack in a way that will be suitable for most airlines. |
| B: In the United States, if you fly economy on a domestic flight, you usually have to pay for checked baggage. | OR: – Except for the discount carriers, you almost always have to pay a fee for checked baggage if you fly economy within the U.S. – Unless you fly on a discount carrier, you usually have to pay a fee for checked baggage if you fly economy. |
| A: What about international flights? | OR: – Do I also have to pay on an international flight? – Do they charge a fee for baggage on an international flight? |
| B: On international flights, you usually have a two-bag limit with weight restrictions. | OR: – Almost all international carriers charge for excessive luggage. You are limited in weight and size. – Some international airlines charge a fee for extra bags or weight but allow you a free bag. |
| A: What about carry-on bags? | OR: – How much carry-on luggage may I bring? – Is carry-on luggage allowed? |
| B: All airlines will allow you to bring one small carry-on that will fit under the seat. Sometimes you can also bring a purse or handbag. | OR: – You are restricted in what you may carry on. You almost always can bring one small piece for free. – You may bring a carry-on piece of luggage, and usually you can bring a handbag also. |
| A: Do you have any words of wisdom for travelers in regard to luggage? | OR: – What overall suggestions do you have regarding travelers and luggage? – What do you think is the most important thing to remember when packing for a trip? |
| B: Keep it light in regard to what you pack. Figure out what you absolutely need and leave the rest at home. | OR: – Pack lightly! You don’t want to haul around or pay fees on things that aren’t essential. – Do not bring anything on a trip that you don’t really need. Think of it as leaving space for anything that you might want to purchase along the way! |
Carry-on luggage
| A: I haven’t traveled much and need to know what I can carry in my luggage. | OR: – What can I carry in my luggage when I travel on an airline trip? – How can I find out what I can carry in my luggage on an airline flight? |
| B: There are different considerations. You have to consider airline rules and rules for customs. | OR: – You have to think about Customs regulations and airline regulations. – When you fly, you need to think about what you can carry onboard and what you can take into a particular country. |
| A: How do I find out about each country’s Customs regulations? | OR: – Where can I go to find out about Customs regulations? – What is the best place to get information about the Customs regulations for a country? |
| B: You can go to a website for the particular country you are interested in. | OR: – It is easier to go online, but if you can’t do that, you can write the Customs Office for the country you are interested in. – Just Google the country you are interested in with these keywords: Customs and restrictions. |
| A: Is there anything that I should keep in mind for all countries? | OR: – Are there any general rules for all countries? – What is the most important thing I should keep in mind as far as Customs is concerned? |
| B: Do not ever lie about what you are carrying in your luggage. If you get caught, there is a major fine just for lying. | OR: – Always be honest in declaring everything you are carrying. Otherwise, you can be fined for not declaring everything. – Always answer all questions accurately. If you get caught omitting anything, you will be fined and possibly detained. |
| A: How about regulations for what you can carry on an airline? | OR: – What about airline regulations for the contents of your luggage? – How do you find out what you can carry in your luggage for a particular airline? |
| B: The Internet is a good source for special regulations for particular airports and airlines. | OR: – You can always call the airline you are flying, and they can give you specific information. – If you go to a website for a particular airport or airline, you can get specific information. |
| A: I heard that I can’t bring my own bottled water on the plane. | OR: – Is it true that I can’t even bring my own water with me? – Can I at least bring my own bottled water with me? |
| B: You can buy water at the airport once you pass luggage inspection. | OR: – You can’t bring your own water. You must buy it at the airport. – You can bring an empty bottle with you if you like and fill it up once you pass inspection. |