I always get questions about the benefit of what I do compared to just booking a vacation online. Why do I need you to do the work that I can do myself??
The question of whether or not to use a travel agent is ultimately up to you, but I can provide some very compelling reasons to do so. Booking your trip with a professional travel consultant rather than a website will actually save you time and money. Reputable travel agents/consultants are plentiful, however, I suggest you do your due diligence and ask for references.
When you’re ready to select a travel agent, it helps to ask friends and family who they use. If they have had good results and a pleasant experience working with a particular travel agent, there is a good chance that you will too. It is important that you have a good relationship with your travel agent and that you feel comfortable working with them.
The reason many people resist using a travel agent is because they feel they can find better deals on those cookie cutter websites without having to pay a fee. This may be true in some instances, but often a travel agent will be able to find exactly what you are looking for at a good price. Many travel agents do not charge fees and simply make their income from commissions received from hotels, airlines, cruise lines, etc., while some will charge a nominal fee. Most travel agents will charge a fee for booking airline tickets, though a travel agent might be able to get you better seats or another special deal that you may not be able to find on your own. It’s best to find out up front if your prospective travel agent charges fees.
The benefits to you are that you can tell your travel agent exactly what you want, including the type of hotels, activities, and any special needs you have, and the travel agent can take care of everything. If you are busy working and caring for a family, you may not have time to research vacations and select the best one, but your travel agent can do the planning for you. They will also be able to add in free amenities that you will not get by booking online.
What happens if you have a problem at any time during your vacation?? Who do you contact?? Using a travel agent, you now have a point of contact. For example, if you are unhappy at the hotel or with a rental car, you can contact your travel agent who can then contact the business for you. Most businesses are more likely to listen to travel agents than an individual complaint, because they do not want to lose the relationship and repeated business that a travel agent provides.
If you still feel like you can get a better deal yourself, there is nothing stopping you from checking around online. Many travel agents will offer a “beat or match” offer as I do. If you shop around online and find a price lower than one quoted by me, I will beat or match that price.
But, if you are short on time and want to make planning a vacation a stress-free experience, using a travel agent might just be a good option for you.
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