I used to wonder what working with a Travel Agent would be like. Why use a Travel Agent when I can just book it myself? Turns out there are many reasons – the benefits of working with Travel Agents goes way beyond just saving you money.
They provide a service to make planning your vacation easier, relieving you of the headache that comes from having to plan, build an itinerary, find the best companies, and booking the trip. All that stress goes POOF, and you sit back like a queen, receiving the best service you’ve had! I only wish I’d discovered the benefits of Travel Agents sooner.
Here are the benefits of using a Travel Agent!
Many people still consider using a Travel Agent “old school” or “old fashioned”. However research shows that the demand for Travel Agents is starting to rise, thanks mostly to the millennials (Rock On friends!) Some people may even think Travel Agents are just for the wealthy or frequent flyers.
But they aren’t… A short weekend getaway for a couple, a family road trip down to Florida, National Park campers, or a month long luxury European trip exploring several countries. Agents are for anyone looking for guidance and security planning their trip.
Why Should You Use a Travel Agent?
Did you know there are certain days of the week that offer the best flight rates? or that oftentimes prices are negotiable? How about the best time to purchase to get the best rate? Travel Agents do. They monitor the weekly, everchanging sales and promotions and where the best deals are.
Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
Travel Agents do so much more than just booking your vacation. They will make sure you are prepared from the time you leave your home, until the time that you return.
They work directly with their partners (Delta, Marriott, Emirates, Disney, Hertz, Carnival etc) who have passed the screening of top of the line travel arrangements- so you have peace of mind that you are touring with award winning high quality tour companies and partners.
Support Your Community
When you book through a 3rd party online, you’re paying that 3rd party to book your reservations for you. You may not realize it, because the fee is hidden in “taxes & fees” which is included in your overall total.
Instead of sending that money to the 3rd party middle man, why not support your local Travel Agent instead? Keep your money in the community, and help support your local businesses.
Advisors are not just for people who don’t like to plan
My frequent flyer friends have said to me “but I enjoy researching and planning my own trip.” I completely understand this, I really do. So why can’t you? Work WITH your Travel Agent to plan your trip. Plan it, and work with an advisor to book it. Advisors specialize in the destination that you’re going to on your trip & know the most efficient planning methods, so geek out and have fun talking about your plans together.
Your Agent will help guide you, brainstorm with you, ask you questions you may not have thought of, and help you to relax and have fun planning your trip in an informative way.
PRO TIP: if you are researching and googling parts of your trip such as airfare or hotel costs, the companies put cookies into your computer. That means each time you look up the price, they know how many times and which dates. So guess what? You’ll start to see the rates go up a little bit each time.
They will Save you Money
Sneaky, right!? So remember, as you’re researching, you are unintentionally costing yourself money. I’m not saying don’t research, go nuts! Then reach out to your advisor, tell them what your thoughts are, and let your advisor make the arrangements for you. Use their expertise, resources, and connections to save you money!
Travel Agents have a partnership with the hotel, and that will often come with added perks or benefits for you as their client. Benefits that are only available to you because you worked with a Travel Agent to make your vacation reservations for you.
VIP Treatment
How do you and your special occasion stand out in Las Vegas from the hundreds of other travelocity reservations? Sorry, but you don’t. Imagine what would happen if you called your hotel before your arrival and requested VIP treatment, with a bottle of wine & bon bons waiting in your room, oh! and a room upgrade for a better view… because you don’t get to travel often, and this is a special occasion.
The hotel most likely will think you’re ridiculous and pompous, probably won’t be accommodating all of your requests, and will ask themselves “who does this person think they ARE?”
When you book with a travel agent, they CAN and WILL ask for VIP treatment for you and the others you’re traveling with. That could be a free breakfast, room upgrades for better views, and resort credits to use once you arrive towards shops, spas, restaurants, etc at the hotel.
Benefit of Travel Agents – They Save You Time
Another benefit of working with a travel agent is the communication. Instead of waiting on hold whenever you have a question or issue with your booking, you can text your agent. Or use whatever your desired method of communication – text, e-mail, phone, facetime etc, your agent will accommodate you.
Experience Personal Service
Have the comfort of knowing you can reach your agent personally, instead of waiting on the phone for hours for “the next available representative that will be with you shortly.” Your agent will provide a much more personal, speedier assistance with your questions & concerns regarding your vacation.
Travel Agents Understand How Travel Insurance Works
Going on vacation is expensive, having an emergency on vacation is even MORE expensive. What if you are traveling without your children, then your child gets sick or hurt while you’re in Spain? Or how about just as you’re boarding your flight, your boss calls to tell you the big meeting you’ve been preparing for months has been changed to tomorrow instead of next week?
Do you understand your travel insurance policy? Will it cover your emergency trip cancellation? Did you even purchase travel insurance?! What happens now?!
The disadvantage of not having travel insurance, is that all the cancellation fees, medical emergency costs, new booking arrangements, or transfer fees are paid by Y-O-U. I always insure my trips when I travel because you never know what could happen. Just ask my friend Kaytee about that one time in Thailand…
Comfort in Knowing You’re Covered
Calling the insurance company is a pain in the you know what. When you book with a travel agent, you can call them and get. The benefit of Travel Agents is that they know what insurance policy is best for your trip. They will recommend the best option for you, and insure your trip, giving you the comfort of knowing if any emergencies came up, you’re covered.
Is insurance a waste of money if you don’t use it? Yes and no. I don’t know about you – but I would much rather have insurance for $100, that I don’t use. Instead of paying $10,000 for the emergency that I didn’t purchase insurance on. I’m prone to getting ill on trips, so having insurance gives me security, knowing that worst case scenario – I don’t have to pay all the expenses that come with the illness.
**For international travelers coming to the U.S. I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing travelers insurance. Our medical care is extremely expensive, and even a quick trip to the emergency room is enough to drown you in debt. **
Another benefit of Travel Agents is that they provide excellent quality service and dedication to highest standards. They LOVE traveling, it’s their passion, it’s not just “a job”. They are extremely knowledgeable with how the travel industry operates, opening doors for you than if you were to book on your own.
Have you worked with a Travel Agent before? What did you like & dislike about the experience?
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