Travel Agents may seem like a thing of the past with the advent of the internet, but they are in high demand these days. How do I know? Because I am a travel agent, and before you think, oh, a sales pitch, it’s not. I have been an agent for six years, and have dealt with all kinds of clients and situations. I can tell you first hand why YOU need to use an agent to book your travel.
Reasons To Use A Travel Agent
Today, agents are more popular than ever, and playing a key role in the growth of the travel and tourism industry. There are a myriad of reasons to use a travel agent, I want to share my seven reasons using an agent will help you to have the best vacation.
1. Keep You Organized
An agent will take care of every aspect of your trip, from your flights and hotel to ground transportation and excursions. This allows you to book with confidence, and know that when you arrive at your destination everything has been taken care of.
2. Saving You Money
Using a travel agent will not cost you anything, as our services are free. This is a common misconception. Agents will also watch for the best deals, even after you have booked a vacation. For example, a Walt Disney World Vacation can be booked 11 months before check-in, however that will be at rack rate. I just saved a client $900 because a spring discount came open! She was elated when she got the email letting her know about the deal I scored her.
3. Always Available
Unlike a booking engine, we are available to our clients even after they click confirm. This will give you peace of mind, as agents are available to assist clients before, during and after a trip.
4. Travel Experts
Travel agents are extremely knowledgeable because we are travel experts. In addition to being well-informed about destinations around the globe and having visited many themselves, agents can offer travel tips to help you along the way, whether revealing airport hacks or the best off-the-beaten-path restaurants in your destination.
Just like you would ask an accountant about your taxes, you should use an agent to book your travel. Should you head to Europe in May or October? Is it better to travel Vietnam from South to North, or vice versa? We know which hotel rooms have the best view, what entry visas you need for which country, and that you should renew your passport 6 months before it expires.
5. Accessibility
Travel agents are real people, so you can travel confidently knowing you won’t be dealing with an impossible to reach call center or an irritating automated program each time you need.
6. No Click Bait
A lot of online travel deals can appear too good to be true, and many are. Working with a travel agent ensures that you won’t be the victim of a scam or deceived in any way. What you book is exactly what you get, no showing up to your cruise and getting a sub-par stateroom.
7. Keep You Safe
In recent months we’ve seen travel advisories on everything from hurricanes to earthquakes, airline bankruptcy to wildfires, worker strikes to volcano eruptions, snowstorms to fuel shortages. It’s no wonder that travelers are nervous to navigate this alone. Agents will help to decipher what destinations are accessible and when. We feel a huge responsibility to re-assure, explain, and assist our clients in making the best possible choices.
There you have it, seven simple reasons why you need to use a travel agent. If you are looking for an agent, or need help planning your travel, please reach out. I would be happy to help you plan your vacation!
