According the president of Crystal Cruises, "Planning a vacation can be confusing and time consuming. However, using a professional travel agent can help you find a vacation that's right for you, and save you time and money."

Joseph A. Watters, president of Crystal Cruises, recently sent an open letter to the editors of several travel magazines, listing valuable services travel agents provide.

"The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that's right for them," Watters said. "The professional travel consultant builds relationships with their clients to learn their interests and lifestyles, as well as their dispositions."

Watters went on to list some of the important services professional travel agents provide:

• Distilling information -- Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert.

• Staying abreast of the most current and timely promotions -- Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions, and their relationships with travel suppliers, agents obtain the most current promotional information.

• Clarifying the fine print -- Again, the benefits of a professional's experience can save a traveler money and headaches, especially in the area of restrictions.

• Making recommendations -- Travel agents share the experience and knowledge they accumulate about a variety of travel topics ranging from where to eat, where to shop, all the way to how and what to pack.

• Simplifying the research and subsequent transaction -- Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.

• Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities -- Agents can add to a traveler's experience by sending a bottle of wine, providing a special land package, a specific escort or other customer amenities.

• Using clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations -- Whether it's airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer.

• Getting problems resolved -- The agent serves as a consumer advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong.

"People use of outside service providers for many transactions, such as tax preparation without question," Watters said. "Similarly, if one is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use a professional."

AT&T is offering free five-minute in-flight calls for passengers on Alaska, American, Canadian, Northwest and Southwest Airlines.

Passengers who dial *FREE (*3733) from any AT&T in-flight phone will connect to an AT&T representative and will be asked a couple of travel-related questions. After providing a calling card or credit card number, the passenger will be connected for a free five-minute call. Anything over five minutes will be billed at the regular rate, which varies by airline. The free calls are valid only in North America.

When you check in, ask for a room with a view or one that's on a higher floor. Often a nicer room is available and you can get it for the same cost. You just have to ask.

Additionally, don't start to unpack in your room until you are satisfied with it. If you asked for non-smoking and the room smells like smoke, ask for another room. If one is not available in your category, ask to be upgraded to the next available category with a non-smoking room.

At checkout, go over your bill carefully to make sure it has the correct charges.

Southwest Airlines has begun offering low fares to destinations coast-to-coast. The low fares, combined with hotel packages offered through Southwest, make weekend getaways their lowest in months. One-way airfares begin at just $39 per person. Call today for complete packages to cities like New York, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Boston and soon New York. For more information and reservations, contact your Carlson-Wagonlit travel professional.

When you go to pick up your rental car, ask the agent for the car in your class with the lowest mileage. You'll be less likely to have problems. Additionally, check the car over inside and out to look for dings and dents that you might be charged for if they are not noted before you take possession of the vehicle.