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Need help or have questions about the TravelSense Community? Please start by reading the FAQs listed on this page. If, after doing so, you still have a question that has not been answered, feel free to contact us at travelsensesupport@igougo.com. |
Q: Why register for the TravelSense Community as a travel agent?
A: First, you'll have access to special features such as the Advice Tools, which help you easily access quality information on popular destinations and email it to interested customers, and the Travel Agent Profile, an enhanced listing for the travel-agent search where you can give your areas of expertise so that potential travelers can easily access your specialized services. Also, although anyone can read travel journals and view photos, registering as a TravelSense Community member will enhance your community experience and help you earn rewards! Joining the community is free and allows you to:
1. View journals and profiles of fellow travel agents and travelers who share your travel interests (we have over 250,000 contributors and counting!). And as a member of the TravelSense Community, you can make your services available to the thousands of travelers who visit the Community every day.
2. Share your own journals and photos to earn great rewards such as gift certificates.
3. Contact fellow members directly using the Message Center.
Q: Why register for the TravelSense Community as a traveler?
A:
Although anyone can read travel journals and view photos, registering as a TravelSense Community member will enhance your community experience and help you earn rewards! Joining the community is free and allows you to:
1. View journals and profiles of members who share your travel interests (we have over 250,000 contributors and counting!).
2. Find a travel agent who's just right for you using our travel-agent search tool.
3. Share your own journals and photos to earn great rewards such as gift certificates.
4. Contact fellow members directly using the Message Center
Q: I'm trying to register as a travel agent, but I don't know my ASTA ID.
A: Please call 1-800-ASK-ASTA (275-2782) for help locating or changing your ASTA information.
Q: How do I make changes to my Agent Profile?
A: Just log in, click on “Your Travel Agent Profile” on the left-hand side of the page, then click on “Edit” in the upper right-hand corner of your Agent Profile. You'll be able to edit your areas of expertise, languages, and personal information. To change your ASTA-specific information, please go to the ASTA website or call 1-800-ASK-ASTA (275-2782) or 1-703-739-8795.
Q: What are the Advice Tools, and how do I use them?
A: This is a free set of tools to help you easily access quality information on popular destinations and email it to interested customers. To get started, just log in, click on “Advice Tools” on the left-hand side of the page, and select a destination from the list and/or choose up to two travel activities. Depending on what you enter on the search page, you'll either be taken straight to an overview page that you can then send to a customer, or you'll be given a list of destinations to browse that meet the criteria you entered, with quick links to Travel Reports, photo tours, and top community journals to help you find the information you need on each destination. If you'd like to email information about one of these destinations to a customer, just click on “Overview” below the destination name.
Q: How does the "Send a Postcard" feature work?
A: Start by clicking on "Send a Postcard" on the left-hand side of the page. To browse through our collection of postcards, click on the categories listed on the left side. When you find an image you like, just click on it to get to the form for sending the postcard. Please be sure to enter a valid email address for both the recipient (in the “To”) field, and yourself (in the “From” field). Then you can either enter a personalized message or use one of our pre-written messages. You'll have a last chance to preview your postcard before you send it. The recipient will receive an email with a link to the postcard, which will be viewed through their Web browser.
Q: How do I search for a travel agent?
A:
Click on "Find a Travel Agent" on the left-hand side of the page and enter any combination of criteria you'd like. As you look through your search results, if you'd like to see more information about a particular agent, click on "See Full Profile."
Q: I've found a travel agent I'm interested in contacting. What now?
A:
If you haven't already, click on "See Full Profile" for a more detailed page of information about the agent, including contact information. If there's a specific trip you have in mind, try clicking on "Request a Trip Quote" in the upper right-hand corner of the page. This is an easy way to send the agent all the necessary information about the kind of trip you're interested in taking and the specific travel-planning services you’re looking for.
Q: What is a travel journal?
A: A journal is an account (communicated in words and images) of any travel experiences you've had—whether at home or away. The purpose of a journal is to provide information about destinations, activities, accommodations, restaurants, helpful tips, and anything else you consider interesting to fellow travelers. The best journals balance practical information with personal stories, detailed descriptions, suggestions, and photos. They contain information that is, above all else, useful to our community.
Q: How do I submit a travel journal?
A: Only registered members can submit travel journals. Once you've created your username and password, log on to the site, and hit the "Create/Edit Journals" link located in your personal information column to the left. Then choose which kind of journal you'd like to write, and start writing!
Q: How are journals reviewed and rated by the editors?
A: All member journals are reviewed by the editorial staff in the order in which they are received. Journals may be reviewed within hours of submission, but more likely within 1–2 weeks.
Each individual entry is reviewed by only one editor. The editor will fix errors in spelling, grammar, and sentence structure, and insert HTML formatting—such as paragraph breaks—if necessary. Major changes are rarely made to the overall structure of the entry. A star rating (1–5) is then assigned to the entry, and feedback is sent when necessary. Those entries rated three stars or higher earn TravelSense Credits, which are automatically credited to the member's account.
If you edit an entry or add photos after it has already been reviewed and rated by the staff, it will be reviewed again, and re-rated when necessary.
Q: How can I edit or add to a travel journal?
A: Editing your journal is easy! To edit a journal, first log on to the site, click on "Create/Edit Journals," then on "View/Edit Travel Journals," and your complete journal list will appear. Click on the journal you would like to edit. Then, if you'd like to add a new entry to the journal, click on the appropriate entry category to start writing. Or if you’d like to edit an entry you’ve already submitted, scroll down to the specific entry you want to modify—you'll have the option to "edit," "delete," or “add photos." Make your changes and click "submit." Your newly edited entry will automatically be routed back to the editors for re-review and a possible rating change.
Q: If I edit a travel journal, will it be re-considered for TravelSense Credit bonuses?
A: Yes. The TravelSense editors review all revised journals. If you add content or photos to your entries, you will receive the additional credits you deserve!
My favorite part of the trip was the cable car tour I took. The company I used was Gray Line.
Check out Gray Line Tours.
Q: Can I save my work before posting it?
A: If you are writing a longer entry, or simply would like longer than a half hour to write without the site logging you off, we suggest writing your journal in a Word document first, then cutting and pasting the text into the appropriate entry forms.
Q: Do you share or sell my travel journals?
A: We may occasionally share your travel journals with some of our partner sites, but your personal information will not be shared or sold.
Q: How do I upload photos to my journal?
A: First, make sure you're logged on.
- Click on "Create/Edit Journals."
- Click on “View/Edit Travel Journals” to see a list of all your journals.
- Click on the journal to which you want to add photos.
- Click on the "Photos" button next to the appropriate entry.
- Type in your title and caption and browse for your photo (like creating an email attachment).
- Click "submit."
Q: What are the best dimensions and resolution for my photos?
A: The best photo dimensions are approximately 400 pixels by 600 pixels. Scan your photos at a lower resolution to keep the file size down. Photos used for the Web do not need as high a resolution as images used in print. Seventy-two (72) dpi is optimal.
Q: What is the best file size for my photos?
A: We recommend that you keep your photo file size to approximately 10-50k per image. If you want to check the file size of your image, right-click on the photo to show its properties.
Q: Is it acceptable for a member to use professional photos or photos from other web sites in their journals?
A: Only original photos taken by you should be uploaded onto TravelSense Community. We will not accept professional photos (unless they're your own) or photos taken from other sources (e.g., websites, postcards, magazines, or brochures) to appear on our site. Any photo determined to have been lifted from another source will be promptly and permanently removed from the site.
Q: What are TravelSense Credits?
A: The rewards program at the TravelSense Community is based on accumulating TravelSense Credits. There are a variety of ways to earn them—see our credits guidelines for more details. We'll even give you credits when other registered members read your journals! When you earn enough credits, you can redeem them for great rewards like gift certificates.
Q: What is the difference between credits views and total views?
A: Credits views are views by members who are logged in at the time that they read your journal. Total views include people who are not registered or logged on. Note: Both credits and total views show numbers for the last 30 days. Your journals are "live" for 6 months; that is, you can earn credits for views for up to 6 months.
Q: How do I redeem TravelSense Credits for rewards?
A: Each TravelSense reward is pictured with the number of credits required underneath it. When you have earned enough credits to redeem a certain reward, click on the reward you would like. A redemption form, product information, and shipping details will appear. Complete the redemption form and click "redeem."
Q: How often are my TravelSense Credits updated?
A: Our editors read and rate every submission to the TravelSense Community. Credits are awarded only after an editor has reviewed, edited, and rated your entry. Photos are reviewed separately from journal entries.
Q: How do I find travel journals on the TravelSense Community?
A: Start by clicking on "Journal Search" on the left-hand side of the page. This will take you to the search page.
- To do a basic search by destination, keyword, or member name, use the blue Quick Search box on the left-hand side. You can use just one of these fields, or more if you'd like to narrow down your search.
- To do a more sophisticated search, use the Advanced Search on the right-hand side. You will be required to enter a keyword. This function should be used when you're looking for entries on something specific. For example, if you wanted to look for entries on the San Francisco Hilton, you'd choose "Accommodation" for entry type, enter "Hilton" for the keyword, and enter "San Francisco" for the destination.
- If you'd like to look for entries without using the search boxes, you can navigate through our locations using the world map in the bottom left-hand corner. You may find this feature useful if you're typing in a destination and no results are showing up.
Q: How do I find travel photos on the TravelSense Community?
A: Start by clicking on "Photo Search" on the left-hand side of the page. This will take you to the photo search page.
- If you'd like to search our entire database of photos, use the blue Search Photos box in the bottom left-hand corner to search for photos by destination, keyword, or member name. You can use just one of these fields, or more if you'd like to narrow down your search.
- If you'd just like to view a selection of quality photos for any of our destinations, use the world map to navigate through our Photo Gallery.
Q: I'm searching for travel journals. What do I enter in the "keyword" box?
A: A keyword is only required when doing an advanced search. To do a more basic search, use the blue Quick Search box on the left-hand side of the page. For more information, please read the answer to "How do I find travel journals on the TravelSense Community?", above.
Q: How do I edit or add to my personal passport?
A: Simply log in and click on "View Passport" on the left-hand side of the page. To edit your basic profile, click on the "Edit Profile" button at the bottom of the list of profile info. To edit your travel interests, click on "edit" beneath any one of your listed travel interests.
Q: How do I add a member photo?
A: Log in and click on "View Passport" on the left-hand side of the page, then click on the "Your Photo Here" box. Browse for a photo on your computer, and when you have selected the one you want to use, click on "Upload." (If the photo is not uploading, please look again at the instructions on the page and make sure that your photo meets the listed criteria.) Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the "Submit Changes" button.
Q: What are Wish Lists?
A: Wish Lists let you store TravelSense Community entries for easy access and sharing. Make Wish Lists for future trips, send them to friends, or just bookmark your favorite entries. Your lists will be saved in the Wish Lists section, which you can find by clicking on that heading in the left navigation. You can also use and add to the editor-selected Wish Lists.
Q: What if I've forgotten or would like to change my member name or password?
A: Please email us at travelsensesupport@igougo.com and include your full name and member name in your email. Or, use the "Forgot Password" option listed in the login section. If you know your password but would like to change it, you can do so by logging in and clicking on "View Passport," then on "Edit Profile."
Q: How can I change my email address?
A: You can change your email address (and keep us up to date) in your Passport. To do so, log in and click on "View Passport," then on "Edit Profile."
If you have a question directed to or concerning the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) or the main TravelSense site at travelsense.org, please consult ASTA's website, astanet.com. To contact ASTA, use the information provided at the bottom of the ASTA main page, or simply email askasta@astahq.com.
Still have a question that's not answered here? Feel free to contact us at travelsensesupport@igougo.com.
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