Travel agents have a world of knowledge of airlines, cruises, hotels and much more right at their ... [+]
A few years back, I owned a travel agency in the small town in which I live. As small towns are, just about everyone knew me and knew that I had a travel agency. An acquaintance called one day and said that she had booked travel through an online discount booking agency. When she had to cancel the trip at the last minute, the online agency wouldn’t refund her money. She wanted to know if I could help get her money back.
Um, no.
She had booked through the online agency, so it was fully upon her to battle with the agency. Had she asked me to book her travel in the first place, I would have urged her to buy travel insurance in case she did have to cancel, a move that would have saved her the thousands of dollars she ultimately lost.
With so many online booking engines, travelers enjoy the option of the do-it-yourself, if not time-consuming task of vacation planning. Think: Google, Expedia, Kayak, TripAdvisor … well, the list goes on.
But not a single one can replace your neighborhood travel agent when it comes to friendliness, familiarity and, perhaps the most important of all, the ability to troubleshoot in case issues arise before or during and even sometimes after your trip.
Travel agents have a world of knowledge at their fingertips, and in this age of electronic gizmos, there is still rationalization and good reasons for seeking their expertise and personalized service.
Travel Agents Love Their Jobs. The travel industry is fun and exciting, and that’s part of the reason travel agents love their jobs. Every single day and every single client is different. Because most agents are well-traveled and consequently passionate about talking and selling travel, they can create itineraries to share the world with you in ways you may not know exist. Firsthand knowledge and expert advice are invaluable assets when it comes to travel.
Travel can get complicated with regard to changing rules and a great travel agent can explain which ... [+]
Travel Isn’t As Easy As It Used To Be. Travel logistics can get complicated. Did you know that to travel to some countries, you need two full blank pages in your passport? That if your passport expires in fewer than six months after your final day of travel that most countries will not allow you to enter? That some countries require visas while others do not? And how will you get that visa if it is required? Travel agents know these things and will advise you on which documents you need for international travel so that you’re not caught unaware.
A Travel Agent Is Your Advocate. If something goes wrong – and if you travel at all then you know that at some point things just happen – a call to your travel agent can help remedy the situation so that you can be on your way to enjoying your vacation. You won’t get an automated telephone line where you must press a million buttons before you’re connected but a real live person who will be compassionate and listen and act on your behalf. Travel agents are skilled problem-solvers and know whom to call when hiccups occur.
Travel Is Time-Consuming. Travel agents are adept at what they do and may be able to book your travel in a fraction of the time it would take you to sift through all of the information on the Internet. They have booking tools and relationships with hotels, cruise lines, airlines and tour companies and can speed through the process much easier and faster than you can so that you can just make the phone call to your agent and then relax and know you’re in good hands.
Travel Agents Know Of Exclusive Money-Saving Deals. Everyone likes saving money. Almost every single day, a travel agent’s inbox is filled with exclusive offers from travel industry partners – cruise deals, airline sales or upgrades, incredible fares, hotel specials – and she can keep you informed according to your interests.
Travel agents help prevent the element of surprise. For instance, your travel agent should tell you ... [+]
Great Travel Agents Know Great Travel Tips. A travel agent can guide you with tips on packing, which hotel rooms to avoid (those noisy ones near elevators and stairs come to mind), and which airlines are right on time or notoriously late. Your agent can tell you that for your bucket list African safari that most light aircraft allows only soft-sided luggage that can weigh no more than 33 pounds, or she can advise you that it’s considered rude to tip in some countries, among them Australia, China, Belgium, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand. A great travel agent will have tips galore, so just ask.
Travel Agents Can Prevent The Element of Surprise. That $99 hotel special suddenly becomes $199 with resort fees, wi-fi fees, parking fees, occupancy taxes and all sorts of other nasty little add-ons that unexpectedly hit at your wallet at check-in time. You find yourself in that fancy Paris hotel with no washcloth since Europeans aren’t big on them. An infrequent flyer finds that airlines charge for checked bags – yes, really, not everyone knows about those fees. You find yourself in a malaria zone and surrounded by mosquitoes but didn’t pack any anti-malarial medication because no one told you that you should. A travel agent should tell you of things like this so that you don’t hyperventilate when you find out firsthand.
The Last Word. The travel industry is ever-growing and ever-changing. You want someone who keeps updated on all of its trends as well as its travails and can offer you handcrafted, personalized and professional service all the way from the moment of a trip’s inspiration to the journey’s end.
